Georgia Traverse/ Frogs Loop Trip

Interested.

 

I would check before going. I've been hunting/hiking in the Cohutta Wilderness since the 1970's. They close the gates to the higher elevations from January to March. Looking at the map on the 2nd link a lot of that will be closed.

 

Gates to the side trails or to main roads?Both?

 

If I am not in NC I will join the group for this. Might take the FJ40 on this little loop.
@Seanb600 @BadgerBoy @Gilmorec61 @BYJOSHCOOK @TRDridgerunner @CowboyTaco @MAG GRY TACO15 @TheUglyOne
@synaps3

 

Most of the side roads are only open when they are having a managed big game hunt. If you're coming in along Mill Creek the road makes a hairpin turn to the right near the trailhead to Hickory Creek trail. There is a gate there that is usually closed in winter. If coming in from Blue Ridge they close the gate at the parking lot at Three Forks, East Cowpen trail parking lot. If coming in from Eton on the CCC road the gate is closed a few miles past the check station. Once you top out you have to turn around. The road between there and Three Forks is closed. As is the road going to Conasagua Lake or down to Hickory Creek.

At least that is the norm. They MAY be open, but the signs said they are closed from January through March. I haven't been there in a couple of months.

The parts in TN I'm much less familiar with. I've never gone past the Beech Bottom trailhead that leads to Jacks River Falls.

 

Sounds like you know your way around this place! lol Closed gates could pose a problem!

 

Maybe @Scott B. knows something we don’t know about the seasonal closures... ?

 

@TRDridgerunner
Hey Steven, didn’t you guys just finish this up? Can you give us some in-site on road closings?

 

I hope this turns into a Bama/GA TW take over!

 

Bring your guitar @InfernoChalupa!

 

We haven't hunted much this season. Did a whole lot of offroading though!

I'll bring my guitar then!

 

No, unfortunately not.

A friend of mine from NC ran the GT last March, and I talked him into running it again this year. I will try to get hold of him this weekend to see what he knows/remembers.

 

Have done both the Big Frog Loop and Traverse. The trails on Big Frog and Traverse do not require anything out of the ordinary with Tray being closed. Road closures will not pose a problem as long as you go after 3/4 and conditions leading up to then have not caused any severe damage to the trails. I’d definitely recommend a few saws.
Doing this entire loop took about 3 hours.

 

Sweet..thanks for the input. Are you planning on doing this again in the near further, or was that another trip?

 

Absolutely, we go pretty often since the trail head is so close to home. I highly recommend going early March after the trails open to see the snow dusting the mountain sides. Absolutely wonderful views. I’ll be sure to watch this thread, I wouldn’t mind getting out for another trail ride again.

 

Thanks for the input. Any scenic areas we should for sure check out?

 

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/ga-weekly-getting-outdoors.596215/page-46#post-22561435

This post by @gilligoon seemed relevant here.

 

Thanks for sharing. Looks to be pretty interesting.

 

Have we pinned down a date yet?

 

Looks like the 29th!