June 3, 2025
Terra Incognita Loop + Pigeon Mtn Trail
between Clarkesville, GA & Lake Seed
It really was a "great day for a hike" with Chris Ernst guiding us around several of the on-property trails and points of interest at Terra Incognita Vineyard. The trails in Terra Incognita were in very good shape and connect with Forest Service trails off-site. Those FS trails were in fair shape, but we did encountered a few passable blowdowns on the southern leg of the hike. All of the trails are mostly shaded by a high canopy from the mixed pine and hardwood forest. The north and south forest trails are joined by poorly maintained gravel FS Rd 2 on the east side of the loop that had a couple of major washouts. The grades of the descent and climb out from the Tallulah River Valley are not very steep or difficult, just continuous. This is a moderately strenuous hike worth repeating in the future.
Today's Hikers: Heather Wall & Toby, Gerald Richardson, Edwin Pruitt, Claudia Pardue, Ken Pardue, Jim Driggers, Chris Ernst, Ken Kellerman & Cutie Pie, Bobbie Broussard, Matt Henderson & Toby, Kim Johnson, Jenny Bell & Mike Bell
The route
8.0 mi · 1,237 ft climbing · 4h 34m out, 3h 52m walking · 2.1 mph moving
Elevation
Hover over the profile to see the elevation and steepness. Your position will be shown on the map.
- Steepness
- Gentle under 5%
- Moderate 5–10%
- Steep 10–15%
- Very steep over 15%
23 photos are shown on the map where they were taken — click one to see it full size.
Photos (23)
A "great day for a hike" at Terra Incognita Vineyard. Tody's hikers (L-R) Back:Gerald, Edwin, Jim, Ken P, Ken K, Chris, Mike, Kim & Matt; Front: Heather & Toby W., Claudia, Bobbie & Jenny (not shown are trail dogs Cutie Pie & Toby H. A warm welcome from our host, Chris Ernst, but it was a difficult choice whether to hike or taste the wine. A pleasant view from the tasting room before getting started. It was a bit hazy today with some high Canadian smoke. A little meet and greet before getting started. And off we go starting with the Springhouse Trail. Springhouse Trail - Our first part of the hike today. This section is easy on the feet. Piedmont rhododendron, a pleasant sight seen frequently along our hike. We were amazed how well-built was the springhouse and still has water flowing through it. A brief stop near the end of the Springhouse Trail which will be near the end of the full hike, too. On our way to the Pigeon Mtn. Trail we passed by this field of wildflowers assumed to have been planted as a cover crop and to attract bees. A nice, short connecting trail to the Pigeon Mtn. Trail and the pavillion. A really nice events pavilion with a view of the tasting room from the fire pit. A nice ridgeline trail with this interesting tree. No surrounding terrain views from the peak. A very interesting, but "crusty" "Hoof fungus" seen along the trail. Cutie Pie is anxious to keep moving. It's a pretty good trail as we head down the trail on the southern leg of the loop, but there were a few blowdowns along the way. On a short stop, Bobbie's snacking has both "Toby's" attention. The east leg of the loop is along gravel FS Rd 2 with high cover and occasional flowing water sounds from Falls Branch. FS 2 also had some nice wildflowers, too. Top: Japanese spireae; Bottom right: Common elderberry; Bottom left: Piedmont rhododendron. A short break for lunch just off FS 2. Headed up the northern leg of the trail toward Terra Incognita. Finishing up and it feels like 8 miles, too. Thanks to the folks at Terra Incognita Vineyards for their hospitality and great hike.