and the water flows fast, so you might want to steady yourself with trekking poles. Once you’re across, scramble up the short, steep bank and begin a gradual descent. At times, the river far below is a loud yet welcome companion, and small breaks in the trees reveal whitewater crashing through the ravine.
Dropping back to the riverbank, the trail runs level, and at 3.4 miles a benchlike boulder provides a good place to rest and enjoys a small set of falls. At 4.3 miles (Waypoint 4), the trail once again crosses Jacks River. From here, you begin to cross the river umpteen times (you’ll probably lose count), until you reach the Penitentiary Branch Trail intersection. At each crossing, look sharp to see the green blazes on the opposite bank. In addition to trekking poles, you might want to pack water shoes for the many crossings to help keep your hiking shoes dry. Because your feet will be dunked frequently, think about traveling in warm weather.
The trail stays mostly flat as it follows the winding path of the river, and at mile 7.1 the trail intersects the river (Waypoint 5). Across the water, the Jacks River Trail intersects the Penitentiary Branch Trail. Cross here to take the Penitentiary Branch and Hemp Top Trails back to the trailhead (see Trip 4), or just retrace your steps on the Jacks River Trail to return.
WAYPOINTS
1. N34º 56.013' W84º 31.139'
2. N34º 55.214' W84º 32.463'
3. N34º 55.419' W84º 32.419'
4. N34º 55.508' W84º 32.617'
5. N34º 57.399' W84º 33.082'
6 BENTON MACKAYE TRAIL: Dyer Gap to Watson Gap
Distance 9 miles, out-and-back
Hiking Time 4–5 hours
Difficulty Easy to moderate
Elevation +1,580'/–1,585'
Trail Use Backpacking and horseback riding
Best Times Winter, spring, and fall
Agency Benton MacKaye Trail Association and U.S. Forest Service, Cohutta Ranger District
Recommended Maps USGS 7.5-minute Dyer Gap and Hemp Top GA-TN and National Geographic Trails Illustrated Springer and Cohutta Mountains Chattahoochee National Forest
HIGHLIGHTS If you’re looking for an easy introduction to the Benton MacKaye Trail, Section 9 (running from Dyer Gap to Watson Gap) is a good starting point. The highest elevation for this section is 2,960 feet, while the lowest elevation is about 2,500 feet, so there are no extended, difficult climbs. Plus, this is one of the shortest sections of the Benton MacKaye Trail, and with an early start you can do an out-and-back trip in a day without a struggle.
From the western side of the Blue Ridge, the trail quickly drops to the South Fork of Jacks River and runs parallel to the stream. At 2.2 miles, in Rich Cove, the Benton MacKaye Trail splits from the South Fork Trail and turns east, leaving the river to ascend an old logging road. At 3.8 miles, you’ll leave the old logging road and climb to the crest of Blue Ridge. From the top of a knob, you’ll make a gradual descent through large oaks to end at Watson Gap.
DIRECTIONS Parking is available at Dyer Gap as well as Watson Gap. To reach these areas from Atlanta, take I-75 north to I-575. Travel north on I-575 to where it becomes US 76. Take US 76 east to the intersection with GA 5 north of Blue Ridge. Take GA 5 north 3.7 miles to signs for Old State Route 2 and Watson Gap and turn left. Go 10.5 miles to Watson Gap. To continue to Dyer Gap, turn left onto Forest Service Road 64 and go 3.3 miles to the intersection of FSR 64 and FSR 64A. There is space to park on the right near the road junction.
If you wish to use a shuttle for your hike, you can make arrangements with commercial shuttle operators or members of the Benton MacKaye Trail Association. For a list of commercial vendors or to get contact information for individual volunteers, check out “Hiker Resources” at bmta.org.
FACILITIES/TRAILHEAD There are no facilities at the trailhead. There are also no shelters along the trail, but you can camp at any of the several clearings along the way. Water is available at the many stream crossings, but be sure to treat it before using it. If you camp overnight, be sure to hang your food out of reach of bears and other animals.
From the parking near the junction of FSR 64 and FSR 64A (Waypoint 1), turn right onto FSR 64 and walk north. At 0.1 mile (Waypoint 2), turn right at a post with double white diamond blazes and enter a narrow path. The path descends gradually through hardwoods and hemlocks and enters shaded forest with mountain laurel and rhododendrons.
At the half-mile mark, the trail follows a stream, winds among moss-covered logs, and passes through a striking grove of rhododendrons with thick, twisted trunks. At 0.6 mile (Waypoint 3), the Benton MacKaye Trail joins the South Fork Trail. (If you turn left onto the South Fork Trail, it proceeds 0.2 mile to Shadow Falls.) To continue the hike from Waypoint 3, turn right to travel north and immediately cross a narrow stream. The path visits a scraggly forest that has been heavily logged and then ventures into a mature forest of towering hemlocks and thickets of rhododendrons. The South Fork River occasionally comes into view, and you can peer through the heavy foliage to see the wide water sliding through the forest.
The stream crossings continue and spots along the trail can be pretty muddy, so consider wearing waterproof footwear and maybe gaiters. The path is also used by horseback riders, but the trail is not as chewed up as you might expect.
The trail enters Rich Cove, and at 2.2 miles the Benton MacKaye Trail and South Fork Trail split at a marked junction (Waypoint 4). Bear right and ascend to the northeast, following white diamond blazes on an old logging road. The trip continues with an easy walk through hardwoods and hemlocks and then a wide path out of the creek basin. The trail becomes steep as you move through another area that has been logged, and you can see Cohutta Mountain to the west. Though you’ll encounter areas of clear-cut forest that are none too attractive, at 3.3 miles the path turns to the northeast and things shift dramatically as you enter a stand of majestic poplars.
At 3.6 miles, the trail crosses a ridge, and at 3.8 miles (Waypoint 5) bear left to leave the wide treadway and descend a narrow path, walking beneath the low boughs of hemlocks. (The path to the right at Waypoint 5 continues 300 feet to FSR 64.) The trail drops through a pleasant forest of hardwoods and then climbs to the crest of Blue Ridge. A gradual climb carries you to an elevation of 2,960 feet where you’ll stand atop an unnamed knob at 4.2 miles with slight views to the east. From this high point, the trail takes a hard left turn and moves downward quickly through fern beds shaded beneath oaks and hemlocks.
At 4.5 miles (Waypoint 6), the trail intersects FSR 64. Turn left and walk 100 feet to reach the junction of FSR 64, FSR 22, and Foster Branch Road at Watson Gap. From Waypoint 6, retrace your steps to return to Dyer Gap. (You can also walk southwest on FSR 64 to return.)
WAYPOINTS
1. N34º 52.096' W84º 30.875'
2. N34º 52.074' W84º 30.964'
3. N34º 52.255' W84º 31.172'
4. N34º 53.336' W84º 31.634'
5. N34º 53.972' W84º 30.958'
6.
