Ride Our Nation's Trails: Part III

By Georgia Brown

Chattahoochee National Forest

The Chattahoochee National Forest in the Southern Appalachians has more than 200 miles of trails and old roads specifically designated for horseback riders. Campgrounds of varying comfort levels and trailer-friendly parking areas are in place for everyone’s enjoyment.

Be sure to leave a trip plan with a relative or friend and the nearest ranger office. Cell phones do not work in many areas, and by posting a return time, you’ll be able get more immediate help if you get in trouble.

Only eight percent of visitors to the Georgia National Forest use the horse trails. Responsible riders appreciate the privilege and leave no trace. Riding muddy horse trails (above your horse’s hoof) should be avoided because it can cause surface erosion. Unplanned excursions off designated trails can impact sensitive stream banks, disturb wildlife habitats or cross culturally sensitive sites.

Finding your own comfort level is the key to an enjoyable trip. There are many degrees of camping styles starting with primitive sites that require you bring in everything you need including water. The reward is a rich wilderness experience. Other sites have drinking water, wash racks and features like streams for watering horses.

If you are the heated-bathroom and hot-shower type, go with it. More developed campgrounds usually charge a fee, so bring exact change for the box, and remember that most will be first-come, first-served.
Half the fun is armchair traveling, so enjoy a quick read about some of the most popular horse trails.

Day-trip riders can depart from the Snake Creek Gap parking lot, located 10.5 miles west of I-75 on GA 136. After a two-mile climb, the trail continues along the ridge of Horn Mountain for another two miles before descending to Gentry Gap. Horse trailers can also reach the Gentry Gap parking area by Forest Service road 233. Nearby is a primitive camp with a small stream nearby that provides drinking water for horses.

The Georgia Pinhoti Trail continues southwestward up and around the north face of John’s Mountain descending into the Dry Creek region on the west side of the mountain. Primitive dispersed camping with ample water for horses is available here and at East Armuchee Creek. Nearby is another large equestrian parking lot with toilets.

Armuchee-Cohutta Trails
Armuchee (1) & Cohutta (2) Ranger Districts

The Iron Mountain Trail near Cisco offers river fords and a spectacular view from an overlook carved into the mountain that gives a clear view across the valley to Iron Mountain. The 12-mile loop passes through grassy wildlife clearings and gradually ascends to views of the rugged Cohutta Mountains. At the four-mile point the trail crosses the Conasauga River into Tennessee’s Nantahala National Forest. Campers use Cottonwood Patch Horse Camp, a primitive site with 10 spaces, hitching posts, toilets and a spring fed horse trough.

Nearby the Sumac Creek Trail north of Chatsworth is a double-loop trail of 12.5 miles that has both the ease of flat, double-track trails and challenging steep ascents and descents. From high, narrow ridge lines, the trail drops into the rugged Sumac Creek drainage area three times. Its large parking lot makes it an ideal base for an all day ride. For overnighters, Jacks River Field Camp is an open area primitive camp with access to other hiking trails and the 2.6-mile South Fork Horse Trail.
Trails in the Cohutta Wilderness Area on the Georgia-Tennessee border offer a wilderness experience for equestrians who want to pack-in all their own supplies and haul out their trash.

Frady Branch Trail System
Chattooga Ranger District (4)

The Frady Branch Trail System has a large parking lot off Hwy 184 that accommodates 10-15 trailers. Leatherwood Creek, Pear Orchard Loop and Frady Branch all cross sparkling streams. Dispersed camping is allowed wherever signs are not posted.
Farther north the terrain becomes more rugged. There are three wilderness areas and some spectacular vistas from high points along the Upper Chattahoochee River.
Worth mentioning for hikers, is the Appalachian Trail, which has views of the Chattahoochee River. It passes through the16,000-acre Mark Trail Wilderness named for the comic strip.
If you enjoy history or would like to trace ancestors who homesteaded in the area, the Faded Footprints of Family and Friends organization offers walking tours to old homesteads, mills and cemeteries.

Willis Knob Trail System and Horse Camp
Tallulah Ranger Distict (5)

The Willis Knob Trail in the northeast corner of the state offers overviews of the Chattooga Wild and Scenic River, some of the most scenic riding opportunities in the Southern Appalachians. Summers are cooler because of its elevation, although it gets more rainfall than the rest of Georgia. This 15-mile loop in Tallulah Ranger District crosses the river at three fords and connects with Rocky Gap Trail in South Carolina. High water levels may make it difficult to cross the fords (Adline Branch is the preferred crossing; wide and shallow). It is wise to check weather reports to avoid being trapped on the opposite side of the river as your vehicle.

Oconee National Forest

Unlike the tall peaks of the Chattahoochee, the Oconee National Forest is relatively flat with small hills. There are three trails that are suitable for horseback riding near the Ocmulgee River.

Kinard Creek Trail System
Oconee Ranger District (6)