WOOOHAA the Cohuttas Rock!
I got out of my meeting around noon and drove from Dalton to Cisco, then up old highway 2 into the Cohutta Wilderness. I wonder how "old" highway 2 is? The pavement ends a few hundred meters after crossing hwy 411 and it becomes a dirt road from then on. I followed hwy 2 up to the Jacks River area just to have a look around. I had hoped that I would see some wildlife, and boy was I in for a shock when I saw this.
Bears
I quickly grabbed my binoculars and glassed them from about 200 yards out. I kept waiting on them to move on, but nothing happened. As it turns out, that sow and cubs are quite skinny when seen from head on. I suppose some local fellow gets a good laugh at the tourists when they clog the road to take pictures. I must admit, I was looking around for the hidden camera and laughing at myself.
Signs
I made it to the Jacks River crossing, but the road got so muddy I didn't want to risk getting stuck. I hadn't seen anyone else out there since entering the area. So I turned and went back to W. Cow Pen to head toward the Conasauga River head end.
After turning onto W. Cow Pen Rd., the elevation began to increase rapidly, and the road conditions became less suitable for a two wheel drive long bed truck. The road was good for the most part, but the remnants of cleared blow downs were everywhere, and the 3-4 inches of rain from Sunday where still leaking down the mountain and across the road. Occasionally, there would be a rock slide or mud hole which would get the nerves up, but I pushed on.
Blow down
I got to the turn which goes toward Lake Conasauga and the head waters area, and the gate was locked. I was bummed. However, there was a 3 mile trail at the gate that wanders down to the river area just below the confluence of several streams and the head water branch of the Conasauga.
Closed Gate
Going down the trail, there were several streams and springs that flowed out of the rock. I stopped to take a few glamor shots, and as luck would have it, these are the last two pictures I got before the camera had a high speed decent which ended in a two inch puddle of water. I pulled the card and dried the camera as best as I could, but I didn't want to use it again until I was sure it was dry.
Water Fall 1
Water Fall 2
I did make it to the river and was able to throw a line, but came up empty every time. I thought I saw one decent size fish while sneaking up on a pool, but that was the only possible sighting. I'm a little early maybe, there were no bugs flying, or in the water that I could see. I'm sure it won't be long and that'll change. 100% DEET Time.
This area is so beautiful, I am definitely coming back here again. It would make a great place for some of us Georgia Boys to have a camp out. If anyone is interested, let me know.
