Cohutta - Jacks River

[clusterone]

Going to get out this weekend, and considering Cohutta Wilderness. Anyone been down Jacks River, starting from JR trail head, recently? This will be my first trip to Cohutta so thanks in advance for any advice on what to see/avoid, and/or best campsites around Jacks River and near by trails. Ready for some fun in the water!

[Maineiac64]

I haven't been this year but a friend went a couple of weeks ago and the water was very high. There are like 20 river crossings and many really nice camp sites along the river. Be careful crossing, I fell last year and badly sprained my wrist.

[TNhiker]

keep in mind----they close the area between the falls and another trail (cant think of name right now) for overnight camping during the summer.....

it has had problems with bears in the past...

[TNhiker]

heres some info on the closures....

https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/conf...a/?recid=10465


also---be prepared for blowdowns in that area....

[clusterone]

Thanks for the info!

[Tennessee Viking]

Its been a while. I have been down the BMT to around the PT terminus from the Old Highway 2. There is a side trail off of the BMT to Shadow Falls. But for the trail along the PT is pretty mucky in areas and passed the BMT requires some knee or more deep fords.

[mister krabs]

I prefer the ridge trails in the cohutta, especially with as much water as we've had. Panther creek falls and sunset rock are not to be missed!

[TNhiker]

sunset rock are not to be missed!

where is sunset rock?

[mister krabs]

It's the name I've heard attributed to the boulder at the top of panther creek falls, offering a long vista to the west.

[blue indian]

The Jacks often has local folks haning out there on the weekends. If youre looking for solitude the Jacks probably isnt your best bet. There are many other trails in the Cohutta that dont have local rednecks being loud and leaving trash...

[blue indian]

Hey TNhiker, clear your PM's!

[TNhiker]

Hey TNhiker, clear your PM's!

i did........

resend...

[TNhiker]

It's the name I've heard attributed to the boulder at the top of panther creek falls, offering a long vista to the west.

ok......

thats what i was thinking but wasnt sure...

the only time ive been up there was for a july 4th one year...

it was awesome to watch the sunset then followed by fireworks from various places in the valley down below.....

[clusterone]

Tennessee Viking: One day I hope to take PT all the way to Citico!

Mister Krabs and Blue Indian: Will have to look into it (Panther Creek Falls). Solitude would be ideal, but with the weather being so hot mostly heading to Jacks to stay soaking wet, thus cool(plan B is North Fork in Citico). But the mention of trash and people does greatly detract… Per what post I could find seems many come in on Beech Bottom Trailhead. Maybe I will get lucky and that will be the case with few starting at JR Trailhead. Temped to make a loop- JR to the falls then south on 71, then north on 30, then 137 Back to JR. How are 71, 30, 137(water, campsites..views)? I have the trails illustrated map, but finding little trail details for Cohutta.

Oh a firework show for the 4^th…will have to keep that in mind!

[blue indian]

Plently of loop options in the Cohutta...

But if you are wanting more solitude, Citico Creek is definitely a better choice.

Hopefully teepee walter will chime in. That dude has been walking those hills for a long time.

[Ashepabst]

agreed that Citico's a great place to wander around for a few days. I didn't see another soul on either my two trips there.

when I was doing my research on Cohutta I was told that you wont see that many folks outside of the easy Beech Bottoms trek to the big falls. we came in from Rice Camp, circling back on Cow _____ (whatever it's called). we saw a ton of day hikers at the falls, but no one else on the way in or out.

[clusterone]

Citico is horrible, in fact so miserable no one should go there ; )

Looks like it is official, heading to Cohutta! Staying optimistic that most the people will be around the falls as you experienced.

agreed that Citico's a great place to wander around for a few days. I didn't see another soul on either my two trips there.

when I was doing my research on Cohutta I was told that you wont see that many folks outside of the easy Beech Bottoms trek to the big falls. we came in from Rice Camp, circling back on Cow _____ (whatever it's called). we saw a ton of day hikers at the falls, but no one else on the way in or out.

[clusterone]

Anyone know where I can find GPS data for Cohutta Trails? kmz, kml, gpx

[clusterone]

Found what I was after:

http://caltopo.com/m/20LG