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Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests
Fall Branch-Weaver Creek: Past a double waterfall, and ending in a pastoral valley
Springer Mountain Double Loop: Ten-mile hike to the summit of Springer Mountain
Three Forks Loop: Through the forest, along the creek
Toonowee Mountain Loop: Over a 260-foot suspension bridge
Brawley Mountain Loop: Passes an old quarry and firetower
Fall Branch-Weaver Creek
Via Benton MacKaye Trail
This trail offers a very pleasant day hike, first past a double waterfall, then through typical Southern Appalachian hardwood forest with a variety of trees, shrubs and wildflowers, then over a ridge offering views of distant mountains, valleys and Lake Blue Ridge, with a final pleasant downhill hike to a pastoral valley. Note: This is an in and back trail.
Length: 6 miles one-way (9.7K)
Rating: Moderate
Use: Light
Recommended Season: Any time of year. Spring water flow at the falls and winter vistas are especially attractive.
Hiking Time: About three and one-half hours one way (includes lunch break).
Use Restrictions: No motorized vehicles allowed on trail. Mountain bicycles are permitted on portion of trail contiguous with Stanley Gap Trail. Trail designed for day hikers, not recommended for horses.
Travel Time: About thirty minutes from Blue Ridge to trailhead.
Road Conditions: Paved roads and all-weather dirt/gravel roads suitable for sedans. Parking is on graveled USFS parking lot on south side of Rock Creek Road or end of Weaver Creek (County Road 31) Road.
USGS Map: Blue Ridge, GA Quadrangle.
Trailhead Location: Trail begins at Fall Branch and follows white diamond blazes of Benton MacKaye Trail. Alternatively, trail can be hiked from west to east by parking at the Weaver Creek trailhead and following similar blazes.
Access: From Blue Ridge travel east on E. First St. (top of hill from door of Toccoa Ranger Station) to Aska Road (1.5 miles). South on Aska road to Stanley Creek Road (8 miles). Right on Stanley Creek Road 3.2 miles to trailhead. If Weaver Creek trailhead is desired, follow directions above to Aska Road, turn south 1.1 miles to County Road 31, turn right and follow 4 miles to USFS boundary and small parking area. Road beyond not recommended for 2WD vehicles.
Trail Layout: Trail begins on north side of road and climbs gradually toward summit of Rocky Mountain. At one-fourth mile a short unmarked side trail leads to USFS observation platform at base of Fall Branch Falls. Beyond the falls, the trail switches back through general forest, past an old timber cut and continues to intersection with Stanley Gap Trail at 1 mile. Turn northwest on trail and begin long ascent of Rocky Mountain. After gaining ridgeline there are views to east of Lake Blue Ridge. Descend to saddle, climb spur of Davenport Mountain before turning west to begin descent toward Scroggin Knob. From Scroggin Knob descend to Weaver Creek-Laurel Creek watershed divide.
Springer Mountain Double Loop
Via the Appalachian Trail and the Benton MacKaye Trail
This trail utilizes a portion of the world famous Appalachian Trail, 2,035 miles continuously marked footpath from Georgia to Maine, as it winds through typical Southern Appalachian forest settings. The forest walk to the summit and overlook at the top of Springer Mountain, the hike alongside Stover Creek, the Three Forks dispersed recreation area and the walk along the top of Rich Mountain are highlights of this double loop trail.
Length: 10 Miles (16.6K)
Rating: Moderate
Use: Moderate
Recommended Season: Any time of year.
Hiking Time: About four and one-half hours round trip.
Use Restrictions: No motorized vehicles. Trail designed for day hikers, not recommended for horses.
Travel Time: About one hour from Blue Ridge to trailhead.
Road Conditions: Paved or dirt-gravel all weather roads suitable for sedans.
USGS Map: Noontootla, GA quadrangle.
Trailhead Location: The trail begins at the large parking area off Forest Road 42 near Cross Trails on USFS 42, but may be reached from other points. This description starts at the parking area. The first 1 mile is south on the white 2x6" blazed Appalachian Trail (AT). The next 3 miles are northeast and west on the white diamond blazed Benton MacKaye Trail (BMT) back to cross trails. Then follow the BMT/AT together northerly to where the trails fork with the BMT going north over Rich Mtn. and the AT going west toward Stover Creek. The two trails will reunite just south of the Three Forks dispersed area. Take one trail north to Three Forks. From Three Forks take the other trail south back to the parking area.
Trail Layout: The trail (AT) leaves the parking area and immediately ascends Springer Mtn. Be certain to go and see the plaque and overview to the northwest from the top of Springer! Descend from Springer northeast on the BMT to Big Stamp Gap. Turn west on the BMT and go to Cross Trails. At Cross Trails follow the combined AT/BMT to where they will fork again on the south slope of Rich Mtn. Follow either blazed trail northerly to Three Forks. Take the other trail south back to Cross Trails. At Cross Trails be sure and take the AT over the small knob back to parking area!
Access: From Blue Ridge travel east to Aska Road (1.5 miles). Go south on Aska Road to end (13.5 miles). Turn right onto Newport Road, go 4.5 miles to end. Turn right onto Doublehead Gap Road, go 2 miles to USFS road 42 on left. Turn left onto USFS 42, drive 7.3 miles east to AT crossing near Cross Trails.
Three Forks Loop
Via Appalachian Trail - Benton MacKaye Trail
This trail utilizes a portion of the world famous Appalachian Trail, a 2,035 miles continuously marked footpath from Georgia to Maine. This trail winds through a typical Southern Appalachian forest setting. The forest walk, the hike alongside Stover Creek and the Three Forks dispersed recreation area itself are highlights of this loop trail.
Length: 4.1 Miles (6.6K)
Rating: Moderate
Use: Light
Recommended Season: Any time of year.
Hiking Time: About two and one-half hours round trip.
Use Restrictions: No motorized vehicles. Trail designed for day hikers, not recommended for horses.
Travel Time: About one hour from Blue Ridge to trailhead.
Road Conditions: Paved or dirt-gravel all weather roads suitable for sedans. Parking is off-road at trailhead.
USGS Map(s): Noontootla, GA quad.
Trailhead Location: The trail begins near Cross Trails on USFS 42. The first 0.1 mile is on the white 2x6" blazed Appalachian Trail (AT). The next 0.6 miles are on the white diamond blazed Benton MacKaye Trail (BMT)/AT together followed by a 1.5 mile portion on the AT. 0.1 mile south of Three Forks the Benton MacKaye Trail reconnects with the AT and it (BMT) is used for return to junction with AT, then BMT/AT again, followed by AT to starting point.
Trail Layout: The trail (AT) leaves the north end of parking area and immediately ascends a small knob. Descending from knob AT connects with the BMT and the two trails ascend south slope of Rich Mountain. The BMT turns right and ascends mountain while AT (this described hike) continues downhill toward Stover Creek. The trail passes an AT shelter and follows creek downstream toward Three Forks. Just before Three Forks, turn right onto the BMT and begin a long gradual ascent to top of Rich Mountain. Descend, rejoin AT, turn left on combined trails, follow to old road crossing where BMT turns left. Continue straight ahead on AT over knob and return to vehicle parking area.
Access: From Blue Ridge travel east to Aska Road (1.5 miles), and then travel south on Aska Road to end (13.5 miles). Turn right onto Newport Road, go 4.5 miles to end. Turn right onto Doublehead Gap Road, go 2 miles to USFS Road 42 on left. Turn left onto USFS 42, drive 7.3 miles east to AT crossing near Cross Trails.
Toonowee Mountain Loop
Via Duncan Ridge Trail, Benton MacKaye Trail and FS Road 816
This trail accesses the 260 ft. suspension bridge over the Toccoa River at Margret, GA. Views in autumn and winter from the top of Toonowee Mountain of the Skeenah Creek valley and the Toccoa River valley and the dispersed recreation area at Margret are highlights of this trail.
Length: 7 Miles (11.2 K)
Rating: Moderate-Difficult
Use: Light
Recommended Season: Any time of year. Especially attractive in autumn.
Hiking Time: About four and one-half hours round trip.
Use Restrictions: No motorized vehicles except on road segment. Road 816 is closed to traffic January - March. Trail designed for day hikers, not recommended for horses.
Travel Time: About one hour from Blue Ridge to trailhead.
Road Conditions: Paved all weather roads suitable for sedans. Parking is off-road at trailhead.
USGS Map(s): Noontootla, GA and Wilscot, GA quads.
Trailhead Location: The trail begins near Tooni Gap on GA Highway 60 south of Morganton, GA. The trail leads south over Toonowee Mountain and is blazed with 2 x 6" blue rectangles indicating the Duncan Ridge Trail, a National Recreation Trail, and the white diamond blazes of the Benton MacKaye Trail. Near the river the trail crosses a dirt-gravel USFS road (816) which is used to complete the loop and return hike to parking area.
Trail Layout: The trail immediately begins to ascend Toonowee Mountain. After reaching and crossing several small peaks during the first mile of ascent the trail then follows the ridge top for about one mile. The trail descends for one mile to road crossing. Follow the trail across road about 500 yards. to river and suspension bridge. Return to road and follow road on relatively level grade and return to parking area.
Access: From Blue Ridge travel south to junction with GA Highway 60 at Lakewood, GA. Follow GA Highway 60 south to Morganton, GA. Continue south on GA 60 to near Tooni Gap. Tooni Gap is 19.5 miles south of Blue Ridge, GA. Parking is off road or on USFS 816 which ends on GA Highway 60 at this point.
Brawley Mountain Loop
Via Benton MacKaye Trail and FS Road 45
Attractions: This trail accesses the Brawley Mountain Firetower. This tower is no longer manned as its function has been replaced by fire detection airplanes during the spring and fall fire seasons. It also serves as a communications platform for various antennas needed in this region, such as TVA. The trail passes through a Southern Appalachian forest showing plant and animal habitat typical of this area. The road forming the loop passes an old quarry which once provided rock for much of the local road needs.
Length: 6.1 miles (9.82 K)
Rating: Moderate
Use: Light
Recommended Season: Any time of year. Especially attractive in autumn.
Hiking Time: About three and one-half hours round trip.
Use Restrictions: No motorized vehicles allowed. The gravel road is used for administrative purposes or by special use permit, otherwise the gate remains locked year around. Trail designed for day hikers, not recommended for horses.
Travel Time: About one hour from Blue Ridge to trailhead.
Road Conditions: Paved all weather roads suitable for sedans.
USGS Map(s): Wilscot, GA Quad.
Trailhead Location: The trail begins on the south side of Wilscot Gap on Georgia Highway 60, 14 miles south of Blue Ridge, GA. The trail is marked with the off white diamond blazes of the Benton MacKaye Trail. The return segment of the loop on USFS 45 dust to left of trail at parking area) is not blazed. On the return hike from the firetower this road is followed downhill and north to the parking area.
Trail Layout: The trail immediately begins to ascend Tipton Mountain. After reaching the ridge the trail follows ridge before descending to an unnamed gap. The trail leaves this gap, skirts Bald Top and descends into Ledford Gap. The road encountered here is the same one that will be used for the return walk to the parking area. The trail ascends from Ledford Gap and climbs the east side of Brawley Mountain to the firetower. At the firetower USFS 45 goes north and downhill for the three mile return walk to the parking area.
Access: From Blue Ridge, GA travel south to junction with GA Highway 60 at Lakewood, GA. Follow GA Highway 60 south to Morganton, GA. Continue south on GA 60 to Wilscot Gap. Wilscot Gap is 14 miles south of Blue Ridge, GA. Parking is off road at gap. Please do not block the gate on USFS Road 45 on south side.
Details mentioned in this article were accurate at the time of publication
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