The chattooga lives up to its designation as a national wild and scenic river. The southern end of the chattooga river trail begins in georgia in the parking area at the west end of the us 76 bridge fig. Chattooga river topo map, oconee county sc tugaloo lake area. At the start, the river drops gradually and gently, but picks up. Nantahala north carolina, chattahoocheeoconee georgia, and sumter south carolina. The other day i did find the northern trail access to the chattooga cliffs trail, and that was not easy to find, well hidden. Flowing through three states and the ellicott rock wilderness, the chattooga is recognized as one of the southeasts premier whitewater rivers. Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash. The best map trail guide to explore the chattooga national wild and scenic river. His bartram trail guide includes all of the bartram trail in ga, all of the chattooga river trail, and the three forks trail. Passport in time, a volunteer archaeology and historic preservation program. Chattooga sounds continues that tradition and offers an ideal spot to pitch a tent and relax.
For a time, the trail runs on a ridge overlooking the river before descending into the forested gorge below. For route finding, youll want the national geographic trails illustrated map no. This trail comes out at the chattooga riverthe river will be to your left, while long creek comes crashing down on the right. Starting at the picnic area, east fork trail is an easy 2. This trail comes out at the chattooga riverthe river will be to your left, while. After 10 miles of hiking, the chattooga river trail intersects and combines with. The waterfall is just upstream from the river and is quite a site. Made for hikers, trail runners, fly fishermen, equestrians and day trippers. Nov, 2017 this weekend backpacking trip along the chattooga river started out by pigpen falls, a parking area south of burrells ford. The latitude and longitude coordinates of chattooga river are 34. The chattooga river descends rapidly from the blue ridge geologic province and forms the majority of georgias northeast boundary between rabun county and south carolinas oconee. Plan a scenic 20mile hike along georgias chattooga river trail. You can also get free latitude and longitude coordinates from the topographical map and set your gps.
Even though our campsite was high above the river, the. I want to start looking into the most northern section of the chattooga river near cashiers. Chattooga river trail professional trail guide, topo map. Its a wonderful way to experience southern appalachia.
Chattooga trail to lick log falls from burrells ford campground is a 14. It gets fairly steep, but nothing i would consider extreme. Please practice handwashing and social distancing, and check out our resources for adapting to these times. The trail is popular among hikers because for many points along the way you wont. Find the top rated hiking trails in georgia, whether youre looking for an easy short hiking trail or a long hiking trail, youll find what youre looking for. Chattooga river trail georgia 2020 all you need to know. It begins in mountainous north carolina as small rivulets, nourished by springs and abundant rainfall. Hike the chattooga river trail on the banks of a wideflowing, crystalline river from russell bridge on ga28 to adeline ford. Backpacking chattooga river foothills trail youtube. After driving to the trail head at russell bridge, well hike about 4. There are more than 50 miles of trail on or near the chattooga river.
The river is closed to rafters and boaters, so the trail is especially peaceful and enjoyable for hikers. Not as scenic, or water accesible as it appears on the maps. With little motorboat traffic, and no tides or currents, lake tugaloo is the. Several stunning waterfalls are located along the trail. While it was a nice hike, i do have to offer a quote from my wife. From here, follow white blazes to make your way south along 4. The chattooga river trail is almost 40 miles long and we only did about 7 miles of it, so this is definitely a place i want to explore more. I hiked all of the chattooga river trail or chattooga trail for short last october and rate it among the top 10 hikes backpacking trips ive every done. The chattooga river trail is a forty mile route that borders the states of north carolina, south carolina, and georgia and follows the banks of the chattooga national wild and scenic river from burrells ford to us 76. I bought homans guide for the trail, but it doesnt have much information on the last 10 miles. Chattooga trail to lick log falls from burrells ford campground.
Chattooga river is displayed on the tugaloo lake usgs quad topo map. The trail offers great river views and mountain views along this federally designated wild and scenic river. The chattooga river in georgias northeast corner is one of the classic whitewater runs in the united states less known is the fact that right beside this national wild and scenic river, surrounded by vast acreages of national forest, is one of the best hikes in the southeast. Join a fun group of folks for some easy backpacking on the chattooga river trail. Help chattooga river trail were planning to start at thrift lake or us78 and hike south to us76. It is located along the chattooga river trail, a forty mile route that borders the states of north carolina, south carolina, and georgia and follows the banks of the chattooga national wild and scenic river. Chattooga river flowing through three states and the ellicott rock wilderness, the chattooga is recognized as one of the southeasts premier whitewater rivers. Following the rugged terrain of sumter national forest, the trail takes you high up on bluffs where you are treated to long, breathtaking views of the fastmoving whitewater as it tumbles over heaps of rocks to settle in quiet.
There we will put on our backpacks and hike down the foothills trail to the chattooga. The chattooga trails variety of terrains, sometimes rises on high bluffs and other times descends so close to the rivers edge that the trail floods following heavy rains. Chattooga river trail is a hiking, trail running, walking adventure located in or near sumter national forest, sc. Chattooga trail trail along the chattooga river description. Please practice handwashing and social distancing, and. Nov 03, 20 a round trip on the chattooga rivertrail south carolina. Hello all, im going to be camping on the mighty chattooga river next month. Anyone who is interested in visiting chattooga river can print the free topographic map and street map using the link above. The day we paddled the river, the water level was at 2. Chattooga river trail georgia 2020 all you need to. Congress designated the river on may 10, 1974 and it is often used by kayakers, hikers, backpackers, and. Im pretty familiar with the river on sections 1, 2 and the first three miles of 3. The 15mile hike is usually taken as a twoday backpacking trip, as the trail is of moderate difficulty. One of the hidden gems of this area is the chattooga river trail.
Long creek falls along the chattooga waterfalls hiker. At points along the way, it shares sections with the foothills. Sep 30, 2019 one of the hidden gems of this area is the chattooga river trail. Just when you think the trip is bringing you closer to civilization as you approach the. Even though our campsite was high above the river, the roar of the water through rock gorge was a wonderful way to fall asleep. The trails illustrated brasstown bald chattooga river topographic map delivers unmatched detail and valuable information to assist you in your exploration of this fascinating area of georgia. We will hike from the parking lot at nicholas ford rd parking lot. The northern terminus of the chattooga trail is ellicott rock, however, many hikers choose to shuttle cars between the southern trailhead and burrells ford campground. The designated section of the chattooga river flows through three states and the ellicott rock wilderness for a total of 56. Brasstown bald, chattooga river chattahoochee and sumter national forests national geographic trails illustrated map 778 national geographic maps.
There are several large areas next to the river to set up camp but it is first. Following the rugged terrain of sumter national forest, the trail takes you high up on. This 15mile trek takes you along the chattooga river in the sumter national forest. Lower chattooga river canoekayak trail home facebook. And if you are interested in hiking and backpacking, the chattooga river trail offers some excellent views to enjoy the georgia side of the river. Sherpa guides georgia mountains the chattooga river. Brasstown bald, chattooga river chattahoochee and sumter. Starting and ending point was the walhalla fish hatchery. Chattooga river trail dicks creek falls hammock forums. This map highlights trails, waterfalls, camping, river access, rapids and more. The chattooga river ends into lake tugaloo, and the lake stretches northsouth across the georgia and south carolina state border. The trail is easymoderate overall with a few moderatestrenuous sections. The river is only a few feet wide there, but i would love to hike it all the way down to russell bridge.
The combined trails continue another 10 miles to the ga 28 bridge, where the hiker must cross the bridge and pick up the. The lower chattooga river canoekayak trail is a water trail that begins at the launch on lyerly dam road. I hiked all of the chattooga river trail or chattooga trail for short last october and rate it among the top 10 hikesbackpacking. Trails printable online topo maps offer shaded and unshaded reliefs, and aerial photos too. Lick log falls, pig pen falls, big bend falls, king creek falls and spoonauger falls. Jul 07, 2010 it would take you maybe a week to make that hike from us 76 to overflow road. The chattooga river trail is a forty mile route that borders the states of north carolina, south carolina, and georgia and follows the banks of the chattooga national wild and scenic river from burrells ford to.
We also offer a lowropes course that is perfect for team building. Just when you think the trip is bringing you closer to civilization as you approach the junction to spoonauger falls, opt to head back into the wilderness and take the spur back to the foothills trail. Im looking for suggestions for an overnight backpacking trip on the chattooga river trail. The river empties a 180,000acre basin approximately 280 square miles covering three states, including 122,000 acres of public land in three national forests. The best and most comprehensive map is available from john ray. With little motorboat traffic, and no tides or currents, lake tugaloo is the perfect spot to try out sup, or stand up paddle boarding, and our fullyguided trip will have you up and paddling in no time. Chattahoocheeoconee national forests chattooga river trail. The chattooga river trail is a forty mile route that borders the. The chattooga river trail is a forty mile route that borders the states of north carolina, south carolina, and georgia and follows the banks of the chattooga national wild and scenic river. The trailhead parking is on the south carolina side of the river after the. From its trailhead on whiteside cove road, the chattooga river trail stretches down the chattooga river, designated a. Since 1974, the chattooga river has been protected along a 15,432acre corridor as a national wild and scenic river.
At points along the way, it shares sections with the foothills and bartram trails, but make no mistake, this trail is all about the wild chattooga river watershed. The river is the border between georgia and south carolina. From its trailhead on whiteside cove road, the chattooga river trail stretches down the chattooga river, designated a national wild and scenic river, from the cashiers area all the way down its banks well into georgia and south carolina, where it becomes a border between the two states. Jul 10, 2016 from here, follow white blazes to make your way south along 4. Backpacking chattooga river trail and big bend falls meetup. Chattooga river national wild and scenic river pisgah map co. Within the boundaries of ellicott rock wilderness area, camping is permitted, but sites must be 50 feet from the river, any other water, or trails, and. The chattooga river in georgias northeast corner is one of the classic whitewater runs in the united states less known is the fact that right beside this national wild and scenic river, surrounded by. The trail offers a number of activity options and is accessible yearround. A round trip on the chattooga rivertrail south carolina.
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