August 20, 2024
Jack's Knob Trail from Jack's Gap to Chattahoochee Headwaters
near Hiawassee, GA
Another "great day for a hike" with mild, 64°F to 72°F temperatures. This was a moderate to strenuous difficult hike from the several short, but steep climbs on our way to the Chattahoochee River headwaters. The trail is in excellent condition although lined with poison ivy for much of our hike. This was a first visit to the headwaters for several of our hikers. Like many first visitors, they were probably a bit underwhelmed, but its got to start somewhere. Not a lot of wildflowers being late summer, but there were a number of "trail curiosities" to provide a bit of interest to the hike.
Today's Hikers: (L-R) Edwin Pruitt, Bobbie Broussard, Rex Wade, Jim Driggers, Matt Henderson & Toby, Cindy Angliss, Gerald Richardson, Claudia Pardue, Mike Bell & Ken Pardue
The route
4.9 mi · 1,453 ft climbing · 3h 25m out, 2h 54m walking · 1.7 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%
18 photos are shown on the map where they were taken — click one to see it full size.
Photos (18)
"A beautiful day for a hike." Sunlight streaming through thin fog cover over Jack's Knob on our way to the Chattahoochee. Today's Hikers: (L-R) Edwin, Bobbie, Rex, Jim, Matt & Toby, Cindy, Gerald, Claudia, Mike & Ken Time to get started. Not too far, but there are some short, steep climbs. Whoa! Now that is the fungus of the day. These two Bumble Bees were determined to get a head start on this Foxglove. They're back! Those wiley Joro Spiders. Ken Pardue spotted this neat, but empty, nest low and just off the trail. A bit of fog heading up the side of Jack's Knob. I didn't get a picture of the large Fraser Magnolia overhanging the trail on our way to the AT, but its leaves were so large. Just a short walk down to the Chattahoochee headwaters from this intersection on the AT. The headwaters of the Chattahoochee River. Just a wet spot in the hill. Several rocks in the "stream bed" below the Chattahoochee Spring had this fern-looking plant covering much of its surfaces. Almost looks like it was stencilled on.. We saw quite a bit of this Horsebalm along the triail. A partial view through the forest canopy of Coosa Bald to the west. Gerald Richardson took a picture of this Garter Snake along the trail as we headed back. A False Hellebore with just a few blooms still showing. Indian Tobacco