Trail Length: 4.5 miles	Type of trail: Point to Point
County: Towns County, GA, Union County, GA	Our rating:
Features: scenic, ATaccess	Your rating:
Usage: Light	Added on: January 01, 1997
Last hiked: October 19, 2001	Updated on: October 21, 2001
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Additional Trails Hiking trails in Towns County, GA Hiking trails in Union County, GA

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This trail heads south from the parking area for Brasstown Bald Visitor Center and crosses GA 180 at Jacks Gap. The trail intersects with the Appalachian Trail at Chattahoochee Gap. The trail is steep in places, with some good scenery along the way.

An old logging road, improved during the 1930's by the Civilian Conservation Corps(CCC), who used this trail as access to Brasstown Bald while building the original lookout tower (it no longer exists). Over the years we have been hiking this trail we have seen it go from a well-maintained trail to overgrown in places.

From the far end of the parking lot at Brasstown Bald the footpath closely (but not exactly) follows the Union/Towns county line south to Jacks Gap (Jacks Gap is the turn from Georgia Highway 180 onto spur 180).

Following Wolfpen Ridge, the footpath rises for the first half-mile. From this point to Jacks Gap is a steep descent of more than a mile into Jacks Gap, traversing through a forest of pine. Typical of high ridge trails there are limited water sources.

At this point the trail crosses Highway 180 and the spur road. Care should be taken when crossing both roads here as drivers tend to be distracted looking for the turns and parking places.

Almost immediately after crossing Highway 180 (the second road if you are walking this trail from Brasstown Bald) there is a distinctive difference in the path. From a steady descent to a repetitive up and down pattern, the trail takes on an entirely different personality. Also note the changes in both flora and fauna. From Jacks Gap the trail climbs towards Henry Knob, but skirts this feature, moving towards a gap and climbing Brookshire Top, the start of Hiawassee Ridge. A brief dip in the ridge, then the uphill climb continues, passing over Eagle Knob then climbing Jacks Knob. We were once again unable to find the spur trail from Jacks Knob to Red Clay Gap.

From Jacks Knob it is a short, relatively easy hike to the Appalachian Trail, which this trail meets at Chattahoochee Gap.

The trail, after it crosses Highway 180 is an excellent hike in part because of an abundance of wild game. In the air, raven, hawks and crow are common. Other large airborne predators also make appearances from time to time. On the ground small mammals such as squirrel and mice make an adequate food source for larger animals such as fox and, reportedly, bobcat. During our latest trip we saw evidence of both deer and bear.

Chattahoochee Gap is about 200 feet above the spring that is the source for the mighty Chattahoochee River. It is possible to hike down the mountain and see the spring. Look for the "drinking water" sign for AT hikers and follow the path.

From Chattahoochee Gap it is less than a mile to Red Clay Gap and 2.3 miles to Enota Resort. To get to the resort follow the Appalachian Trail to Red Clay Gap, then hike the unmaintained trail (occasionally called the Joel Creek Trail) 1.3 miles to Enota.

When hiking the Jacks Knob Trail, GeorgiaTrails enjoyed a stay at Enota. We recommend this resort for any hikers, campers or visitors to Brasstown Bald

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Trail Length: 4.5 miles	Type of trail: Point to Point
County: Towns County, GA, Union County, GA	Our rating:
Features: scenic, ATaccess	Your rating:
Usage: Light	Added on: January 01, 1997
Last hiked: October 19, 2001	Updated on: October 21, 2001
About these ratings
Additional Trails Hiking trails in Towns County, GA Hiking trails in Union County, GA

Jacks Knob Trail
Jacks Knob Trail maps and directions
Trail reports for Jacks Knob Trail
Historic reports for Jacks Knob Trail