Sunday, November 28, 2004
Trail was in pretty good condition, towards the end leading up to the radio tower a number of trees down acress the trail. It's in need of freshing up the blazes. A enjoyable hike indeed. Keown Falls were glorious after the recent rains.
Monday, June 7, 2004
I have hiked the John's Mountain trail twice this year. The first time was before all of the foliage began it's spring growth. This made the ridge trail very easy to take. My most recent trip was just last week. The ridge trail is almost impassable due to the overgrowth. The ridge trail has not been maintained much, if at all, over the past few years. In the last year, the Forrest Rangers have made significant improvements to the short/steep portion of the trail from the overlook to the falls. It used to be very rocky and washed out in sections. They have graded it, created paths for stormwater runoff, and seeded it, making it a much safer trail for your ankles. This is a little used trail on weekdays. It is great for weekday free-hiking. You can usuually hear people talking for quite a while before you cross them on the trail. On the weekends, you can find many groups of people, of all ages, hiking to and from the falls. Just about a quarter-mile further to the south from the main falls, is a little waterfall, mentioned in another post. At one time, there was a little dam of rocks which formed a small pool of the cold mountain water under the falls. This was great to use to cool off. The rocks have since been scattered, supposedly by vandals, so that the pool no longer forms. If you are going to get wet to cool off, I recommend the smaller waterfall. This one is easier to get under, plus you have less of a chance slipping and falling down the side of the mountain. Between the waterfalls, be sure to check out the rock formations. In a lot of areas, there is water seeping out from between the rocks. This is an area abundant in moss and ferns. "The Pocket," just south of Keown Falls, is a nice campground with a couple of trails of it's own. (Not good for free-hiking). It has a spring (for cooling your watermelon and wading), lots of picnic areas and some campsites. Overall, John's Mountain is a great hike. If you are concerned about the condition of the ridge trail, please call the rangers at the Cherokee National Forrest office in Cohutta, GA.
Friday, May 14, 2004
I've hiked this trail and many others on johns mountain ,once while taking off shoes and following son up small creek on north west side of johns mountain because of dence underbrush it made walkin easier my son walkin ahead some 10 yrds we walked up on a Black panther laying in creek {because of heat }i had cam cord runnin he jumped up and ran up the side of a hill and was gone in a matter of seconds .
Thursday, April 24, 2003
Hiked this loop (counter-clockwise) in early spring with two young kids age 7 & 8. Very pleasant along the ridge. The Keown falls are wonderful (though I understand they can dry up at times). If you walk down under the falls and continue west along the Keown Falls trail a bit you'll find a "baby" waterfall where the rock face is covered in yellow graffiti. The graffiti is clay, not paint, so add your own caveman art - you'll find the bright yellow clay oozing out of the base of the cliff - great fun for kids (of all ages). On the return trip up Johns Mountain Trail (counter-clockwise round the loop) look for the ruin of a house off to the right about 200 feet after you leave the falls. What a place to live! The last 1/2 mile is a continuous steep uphill stretch but road in good shape, a little tough on the thighs after clambering around on the falls all afternoon.
Wednesday, March 5, 2003
Having hiked Keown and Johns Mountain yesterday, I recommend starting from the Keown trailhead to do both loops. Hike half of the Keown loop in a clockwise direction, then hike the whole Johns Mountain loop also in a clockwise direction, IE take the long way to the overlook/ Johns Mountain parking. Your ascent will be gradual, almost imperceptible. Use the logging road section as your descent. Upon leaving the falls for the second time, finish the Keown loop by continuing in a clockwise direction. Your hike will be about one moderate mile and a little over four easy ones, for an easy hike. This is a very pretty system of trails, somewhat reminiscent of Cloudland Canyon’s West Rim. For an additional burn, drive another mile down Pocket Road and Hike the Pocket Trail.
Saturday, November 9, 2002
I hiked the trail with my seven-year old girl and 13-year old boy. Once we found the trail (the directions on this site were not real accurate) - it was a blast! The overlook is awesome and even made the teenager smile. The trail along the ridge has some exciting parts including some cliffs that you can get to the bottom of to look for "bear caves." The falls were dry in the summer. The hike back up to the parking lot was challenging. It was alomost too much for the 7-year old. But she made it and was proud of herself for doing it. I highly recommend it.
Sunday, October 27, 2002
I hiked this trail 10/26/02 with a friend and found the trail description on this web site to be accurate. There were several thick stands of sassafras in the more open areas of the ridge part of the trail. It was cloudy and foggy most of the time, but a nice,quiet trail. The Keown Falls overlook provided a nice place to rest before the last difficult mile of the trail back up to the top of Johns Mt. Although there had been some rain the previous day, only a little water was coming over the falls.
Friday, October 25, 2002
I live at the foot of Johns Mountain. I have horses and camping gear for those of you that want to see The wonderful Johns Mountain Trails on a horse. Have a wonderful life and please stay safe.My name is david and my home number is 706-602-1757
Monday, September 30, 2002
The view from the top of the mountain (where the parking area is located) is breath taking. It’s worth the drive just for that. The first mile is downhill, but turn left before crossing the stream. Jump on another trail for about 2 mins (just going down some steps) and take a break underneath a waterfall…Incredible! Back up the steps – 2.5 miles of hiking uphill (most of the way). A great workout but not very scenic because you are deep into the forest. The path is blocked 3-4 times with fallen trees and branches. Not difficult to get around each time.
Monday, December 10, 2001
We were lucky. December weather was still warm, sky was partly cloudy and the wind was calm. This little used trail gives very good vista views of the East and West Armuchee valleys, the National Forrest and Lookout Mountain. We started at the parking area atop the mountain (very accessible) and hiked 1 mile to the Keown Falls overlook. Then we connected to the Keown Falls trail along the fall cliff line and traveled down to the picnic area. Even though there has been little rain, the falls still had a slight trickle and the real beauty is the ferns and plants that grow on the rock ledges. Bathroom is in the picnic area. A nice plus for the ladies. Normally the hand water pump is operational but during the winter months this item is deactivated due to cold weather. Had a quiet lunch along the stream and then returned up to the falls on the return Keown Falls Loop Trail. Once at the Keown Falls overlook again, we traveled back to the Johns Mountain parking area along the remaiing 2.5 mile loop. The return loop, although longer, is of very gentle grade and has a long series of valley views peering into the National Forrest and the surrounding farm land. I have been on this trail at several times of the year and there is always a surprise. This trip we found crab apples.
Saturday, October 20, 2001
I hike this trail periodically as it is only 20 miles from my house. Walked counter-clockwise it is easy, level or downhill, for 3/4ths of the way and then moderately uphill the final quarter(from the Keown Falls overlook back to the Johns Mountain Overlook parking area). Attractions include fall colors, a few good views from rock bluffs, wild blueberries in July, wildflowers, Keown Falls and overlook, peaceful (trail is not heavily used). Detractions are abundant poison ivy, some of the trail can be overgrown with brush during late summer, and rattlesnakes (I've seen just two during perhaps 30 hikes here but that's more than I've seen anywhere else in Georgia).
Wednesday, August 8, 2001
the left trail at keown falls is a very strenuous hike and not nearly worth the long, steep journey up there. at the top there was only a trickle of water and the trail did not go any further than the bottom of the falls.
Wednesday, April 25, 2001bigcreekHiked 4/21/2001Over look is incredible, but trail for the most part is unexcitingand plain. Would recommend walking the Keown falls trail which interescts this trail. Notes: 1) The milage on this site is wrong, should be 3.5 miles (verified at loop and in another book). 2) Watch for hunters hunting Wild Turkey 3) Watch for a ton of Poison Ivy
Saturday, April 10, 1999
After hiking the Keown Falls trail & a picnic, we drove to the John's Mountain trail & lookout area. It overlooks the valley & has a spectacular view. I would recommend doing this trail clockwise from the parking lot area. The walk down to the Keown Falls is downhill. Once to the falls, there is an observation deck over-looking the falls & mountain range. As you continue from the falls, it is hard to tell that you are actually going uphill due to the well laidout paths. This is the longest part of the path going back to the John's Mountain Lookout area, but at no time did it really seem to be a hard path. The path travels more on top of the mountain.
Trail Length:3.6 miles
Location: Walker County
Features:falls, scenic.
Last hiked:06/02/2001 | Type of trail:Loop
Our rating:Moderate
Your rating:Moderate (25)
Date added:06/28/1996
Trail Usage:Moderate
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