A great first trip — good mountain scenic views, a probability of seeing wild game in the beautiful forest . . . and Stonewall Creek and its beautiful refreshing waterfalls. This trip is also a favorite for night riding.
Distance: 7.8 Miles
Time: 1 1/2 hours
Configuration: Loop
Difficulty: Moderate for 2.7 miles then Easy. Steams will be crossed in the last part of the ride. During a rainy period, or just after a rain, you should keep in mind the water level may higher than normal.
Directions from Clayton: Travel south on highway Old 441 for 3.2 miles to Tiger. Continue south through the 4-way Stop in front of the Tiger Post Office for an additional 2.4 miles where you will turn right on to Forest Service Road #20. Continue on this gravel road for 1.6 miles where you come upon a"T" intersection. Park here, or turn right and park on the side of the road near the gate. The trip starts from the gate.
Alternate: As an alternate some bikers prefer to add mileage and park on the side of the road at the beginning of Forest Service road #20 and start from there. This adds an additional 3.2 miles to the trip making it 11.4 miles total.
0.0 - Go past the gate heading east on the older Forest Service road. You will return from the opposite direction.
0.2 - Road turns to the left and begins ascending. On the right is the Old Stonewall road which leads to private property.
0.6 - Road reaches the top of the first mountain.
0.9 - Old clearcut on right. You now have easy going till the odometer is at 2.1.
2.1 - Start the next ascend to top of Saga Mountain.
2.7 - The road tops out on Saga Mountain. For the next few hundred yards you should be able to see mountains, particularly Glassy mountain to the left, Black Rock mountain straight ahead, Screamer mountain to the north east. At nights, you'll observe the lights on Black Rock and the lighted cross on Screamer. You'll also see Clayton in the foreground.
3.1 - Intersection road to right. This road to the right goes down Saga Mountain for about 1 1/2 miles, and comes out on Old highway 441 approximately 300 yards south of the 4 - way stop in Tiger. To complete the loop, you should not take the road to the right, but continue straight ahead.
3.3 - You will come upon an intersection at the top of the hill. You should continue on the road bearing to the left. The road going straight ahead dead ends in approximately 200 yards.
3.7 - You will come upon two water breaks in the road. Continue over these mounds and up the hill. Notice the old clearcut on the right.
4.5 - Here is a fork in the road. You should take the right fork which will take you around Crunkleton Ridge. The road going straight is a short cut road to the top of the hill. You should avoid the short cut road for it is steep and erosion problems could result if you attempt to ride it.
4.8 - On the left is the other end of the short cut road. Continue straight ahead. The highest mountain on your right is Glassy Mountain. The trail descends down and turns 90 degrees to the right. Within a few yards after making the 90 degree turn, the trail turns steep for approximately 30 yards. You may want to walk your bike to keep from sliding. The trail turns 90 degrees to the right again and then levels out. We call this area the narrows. I think you understand why when you ride it.
5.5 - The trail turns left down the ridge.
5.6 - As the trail starts off the end of the ridge it gets steeper. Because it is steep, you may get where your tires began to slide. Before your tires do slide and cause erosion problems, you must get off you bike and walk it for the next 40 yards, or to the bottom. Additionally, for safety reasons, it is also a good idea to walk the bike down this steeper part.
5.7 - The trail intersects with one of the old Stonewall Creek roads. Take a left and continue down the creek. Notice the beautiful forest and clear water as you travel down Stonewall Creek.
6.1 - The first creek crossing. Wasn't that fun? Are your feet wet yet?
6.2 - Another creek crossing. So you still have dry feet! Just wait.
6.3 - An old road on the left.
6.5 - Cross over the branch.
6.5 - Go slow and ride to the left side of this road washout.
6.7 - The third creek crossing. Here's where your feet will probably get wet.
6.8 - What a mud hole!
7.0 - The fourth and last creek crossing Did you noticed the creek had gotten a little larger and a little deeper with each crossing?
7.2 - Here is one of the best waterfalls on Stonewall Creek. During the summer you'll find campers here, but you can still stop and enjoying this beautiful waterfall. During hot summer days, this waterfall is a good cooling off place. In the rocks people actually find a seat on the ledge that enables the water to fall directly onto you. Now that is refreshing.
7.2 - Here you intersect with Stonewall road. Take a left to continue the loop. Other trails in this book will have you coming across the creek here.
7.7 - You are now at the intersection near where you started. Take the left fork to finish the loop.
7.7 - The loop is finished.
Move on to Trail Finder: Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests
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