Rd 0.9 mi. is Bob Gap. Pool Creek Rd is often in poor shape aft(lr Bob Gap but it can be taken an additional -1.3 mi. to Hwy. 76,6 mi. east ojclayton, GA.) l3.3 (23.2) After climb through laurel tum right on old road and join ridge. (Caution: Going other direction road continues and is wejj worn.) 13.4 (23.1) Pass by old road with benns on left that crosses trail. Continue along ridge with nice winter vistas, Rabun Bald N, 14.0 (22.5) Pass through campsite on ridge spine, elevation 2700 ft. Weak spring 500 ft. SW of campsite steeply down into first cove W of campsite. 14.1(22.3) Veer right off ridge spine. Shortly enter rhododendronl1aure1 thicket ascending. Curve left at top of climb after leaving rhododendron/laurel. 14.2(223) Tum right descending steeply just SW of summit of unnamed mountain NE of Rainy Mm. at an elevation of 2,745 ft. 14.4 (22.1) Pass through narrow gap. 14.6 (21.9) Plateau left and down, campsites. Possible water source in next trail highlight. 14.7(21.8) Pass through gap with campsites to left of trail and intennittent spring 500 ft. down into cove on right, NW. (This gap /s the best camping spot on this section ojthe trail if(he spring is flowing. additional campsites E oj this area.) Begin climb up away from gap on large log steps set in old road. In 330 ft. tum 120 0 right on footpath into woods, road continues check markers. Not on road after tum. 14.9(21.6) Pass through small overused, eroded camping area on skirt of Rainy Mm. while turning left. Nice winter view to E-NE. Water 0.2 mi. further down trail at small stream crossing. (800ft. from campsite is a small rivulet crossing the trail, in another 200ft. is stream passing under trail with small waterfall up to left.) IS.! (21.4) Cross small stream with small waterfall to left, 15.2(21.3) Veer right oft old road, road continues, check markers. In next 0.5 mi. contour around several coves some of which contain water down a few hundred feet into the middle of the cove. 15.4(21.1) Sound of stream down steep grade 100 ft. to right. 15.6 (20.9) On left in cove, red painted trees mark National Forest property boundary. 15.8 (20.7) Circle around wide cove and climb, water 150 ft. down into cove. 15.9(20.6) Blue spray paint blazed trail goes left up Rainy Mountain, which has restricted view. This trail is associated with Boy Scout Camp Rainey Mountain west of Rainy Mm. Shortly, travel along old road on ridge, elevation 2582 ft. 16.1 (20.4) 90 right tum off old road onto footpath in forest. (Caution: Easy to miss old road continues and is well worn, check markus.) 16.4 (20.1) Pass right of small camping area, continue along ridge with winter vista. 16.8 (19.7) Circle around wide cove with rhododendron on E side. 16.9 (19.6) Cross old road, continue on footpath in forest. Travel parallel to old road 50 ft. below. 17.0(19.5) Intersect trail marked with metal goat shaped markers screwed to trees, and old blue paint. Goat trail joins Bartram-Trail. Goat trail also goes up to left, and is associated with Boy Scout camp, Signs screwed to tree announces Big Rock.2. Big Rock is a rock outcrop used by scouts. 17.3 (19.2) Join old road at Green Gap, after 300 ft. on road, rock on left carved: Bartram Trail. Green Gap, Warwoman Dell l.3. Goat! blue marked trail tum left on old road descending to Boy Scout Camp Rainey, while Bartram Trail heads as if starting down this same road, then tums right and up right into forest. More signs about Big Rock screwed to trees on right before tum. Confusing area due to number of well-worn old roads intersecting. On footpath in forest ascending after Green Gap, check markers. 17.6(18.9) On ridge, panoramic winter vista to S, Rainy Min. and Pine Ridge, Boy Scout Camp with Lake Toccoa and Hwy. 76 visible. 18.1(18.4) Cross stream on wooden bridge (no hand rail). 18.2(18.3) Low emergency rock shelter on left, then cross intermittent stream on wooden bridge (no hand rail). 18.5 (18.0) Cross seasonal stream on wooden bridge (4d). 18.6(17.9) Warwoman Dell, elevation 1950 ft. Pass trail sign or right that reads: Bartram Trail, Rabun Bald 14.2, 15.0 Warwoman Ford. Shortly pass rock on left carved: Bartram Trail, Hwy. 28 19 mi., Wilson Gap 8.5 with arrows. As enter this picnic and scenic area, historical sign about the pre-civil War never completed Blue Ridge Railroad construction. (Behind the sign is an unmarked trail along the railroad grade illustrating the difficult task ojbuilding in this terrain.) On left picnic shelter built by the CCC in the 193 Os on a pile of spoil from the uncompleted Warwoman tunnel. (Ifyou walk up the nature trail to the west you can see the caved in portal ojthe tunnel.) Tum right and descend 600 ft. opposite picnic shelt~ on gravel road passing CCC fish nursery pools and picnic tables along Warwoman Creek. 18.7 (17.8) Tum left just before Becky Branch that flows under the road, information sign is on left beyond branch. t 18.8(17.7) Arrive at Warwoman Road where there is metal historical sign honoring William Bartram. Continue directly across Warwoman Road with caution since this is a very busy high-speed road. S-\-u.C +- Wanvoman Dell to Wilson Gap 8.5, miles USGS Maps: RABUN BALD, GA-N.C. Trail access: 3.0 mi. NE of Clayton, GA on Warwoman Road, the Bartram trail crosses the road just before a right tum. There,is a small parking area on the left side of the road or one can continue down the road and tum right onto Warwoman Dell Lane into Warwoman 6
7.8 (28.7) Return to Chattooga River. Travel along bank of Chattooga for next 0.5 miles, passing several campsites.' This may be most scenic, river section of trail. 7.9(28.6) Nice vista up Chattooga. Cross bridge (7d) over stream near bank ofchattooga, travel along bank around river bend. 8.1 (28A) Large river bend. Can see long distance views both upstream and downstream. Climb above river bank. Shortly, on left, possible rock emergency shelter. 8.3 (28.2) Tum 30 right off road as enter forest leaving Chattooga. Campsite down left at tum. 8.8(27.7) Cross small stream on wooden bridge (cable downstream) tum left after bridge. Shortly pass ford ofsmall stream to left, bear right and continue parallel to stream, campsites along stream but high traffic area. 9.1 (27.4) Pass bridge (3d) across small stream. (This bridge leads to a side trail (5) to Dicks Creek Falls and the bank ofthe Chattooga River at the bar;e ofthe falls. Dicks Creek Falls is a 60 fi. cascade ofdicks Creek into Chattooga River, don 'I. miss this site. As you stand along bank ofthe Challooga and look downstream you can see the high bluffs where the Blue Ridge Railroad would have spanned the River.) Bartram Trail passes by this bridge to second bridge (5d) 100 ft. further on which crosses Dicks Creek. Overused campsites to right before bridge. Area has heavy ATV incursions on trail. 9.4 (27.1) Y-junction where Bartram Trail turns west and Chattooga River Trail starts and goes south 10.6 mi. to near bridge on Hwy. 76 over Chattooga River. Rock at junction carved: Bartram, Chattooga with anows. Shortly cross Sandy Ford Road. (A map and detailed trail description for the GA Chattooga River Trail starting from this intersection appears in this guide starting on page 20.) 9.5 (27.0) Cross Sandy Ford Road, on W side of Sandy Ford Road rock carved: Bartram Trail, Warwoman Dell 12, Earls Ford 3, Hwy 28 10, elevation 1625 ft.. Sandy Ford Road to Warwoman Dell, 9.3 miles USGS Maps: RAINY MOUNTAIN, RABUN BALD Trail Access: Sandy Ford Road may be found by taking Warwoman Road 5.9 mi. from Hyw. 441 in Clayton, GA. Tum right on Sandy Ford Road and travel 0.6 mi. down Sandy Ford Road, tum left on concrete bridge across Warwoman Creek. (lfyou continue afew hundredfeet on John Houk Rd, before the concrete bridge. you will see the remains ofthe Wilbanks/Darnell grist mill and a huge stone abutment for the Blue Ridge Railroad bridge across WalWoman Creek) 3.3 mi. further down Sandy Ford Road arrive at a wet ford ofdicks Creek. One may park here and walk across the ford or drive across and park 0.3 mi. past the wet ford on the left. (Ifthere is a rain you may not be able to cross this ford.) The trail crosses 200 ft. further down road. The road is often worse across the wet ford, since there are no houses after the ford. Another option is to park up the road at the last tum, walk down to Dicks Creek and then walk down an old road that runs downstream parallel to Dicks Creek for 0.5 mi. where it intersects the Bartram Trail near a bridge across Dicks Creek. This road is not marked and there is one wet ford of a small stream. Note, there is a second bridge here leading tq Dicks Creek Falls so watch markers. Taking the Bartram Trail bridge across D,icks Creek leads to the Sandy Ford Road crossing 0.4 mi. west of the bridge. On some maps, Sandy Ford Road is called Dicks Creek Road. The first part ofthis trail is dry. The first water we have found is at 14.7 mi. A spring is down NW from a gap 500 ft. into a cove. There are also nice t:ampsites in the vicinity and south of this gap. 1 9.5 (27.0) On W side of Sandy Ford Road rock carved: Bartram Trail, Warwoman Dell 12, Earls Ford 3, Hwy 2810, elevation 1625 ft. Climb S into hardwoods, shortly switchback right, moving N. 9.8 (26.7) Summit mountain, elevation 1800 ft. then enter white pine stand on ridge. 10.1 (26.4) Merge right on old road, pass trail sign on right with TR on W side. After 70 ft. on road make 90 turn to right on wide trail, after 20 ft. bearjust to the right ofa trail sign labeled TR, check markers since well used (ATVs) old roads make area confusing. 10.5 (26.0) On N mountainside with winter vista of Pollywah Knob and Wall Mountain. 10.9(25.6) Travel along steep mountain side above Dicks Creek Valley, then circle wide cove opening to NE. 11.0(25.5) Cross wooden bridge (4d) over gully. 11.4 (25.1) Cross well worn dirt road at Speed Gap. Rock carved: Bartram Trail, Speed Gap. Trail enters forest on footpath just to left of this rock. Up road short distance panoramic view S over fonner clear-cut area. 11.7 (24.8) Tum right onto old road on ridge W of mountain just circled, elevation 2160 ft. Climb along narrow ridge with winter vista on each side. Glimpses N of Rabun Bald and Flat Top across Warwoman Valley. Stay on or near ridge spine for next mile. 11.9 (24.6) Tum left oit old road dropping below ridge spine on footpath, pass through area with large number of dead and downed pines, shortly view of Rainy Ridge and Mountain to W. 12.1 (24.4) Rejoin ridge and pass through narrow gap with more dead pines. 12.5 (24.0) Curve left at summit of mountain on ridge, elevation 2160 ft., descend. 12.7 (23.8) Veer to right leaving ridge descending on old road. 12.9(23.6) Cross Pool Creek Road at Bob Gap, elevation 2056 ft. Just before road on left rock carved: Bob Gap Bartram Trail. Enter forest on footpath across road and slightly to the right and up. Other unm~ked trails intersect here. (Bob Gap can be reached by taking Sandy Ford Rd. 1.2 mi. from Warwoman Rd. and turning right on Pool Creek Rd Down Pool o-.i 5
stretch of many dead pine trees. This dense area of dead pines lasts until Adline Branch at 2.5 mi. although patches of dead pines occur at different locations along the trail. Probably need to stay away from these dead pines for setting up camp. 0.6 (35.9) Above large flood plain with Chattooga River In sight, near base of Holden Mtn. (2241 ft.). 0.7 (35.8) Travel along bank of Chattooga. 0.8 (35.7) Extensive pine forest blocks view of river. Mountai:ls in South Carolina visible across Chattooga. 1.1 (35.4) In kudzu patch make 35 0 left turn off old road and descend. Pass through pine forest of dead trees. L2 (35.3) Cross Holden Bmr.ch on wooden bridge (5u). Climb old log steps, above bridge merge left on old road, soon again come close to River. 1.4 (35.1) Concrete boat launch ramp beside Highway 28 in South Carolina visible across Chattooga. 1.5 (35.0) Cross small stream on wooden bridge (5d). Bcfore bridge is much used campsite, but noise from houses and traffic on Hwy. 28, just across the river, make it less than desirable. 1.6 (34.9) Cross two boardwalks (no hand roils) over mud holes. 2.0(34.5) Rusty old baler on left. Shortly old chimney on right at ruins of old home. Cross boardwalk (no hand rails) over small stream, continue on old road. 2.1 (34.4) Faint gr~5y rc'ad T-inter3c::ts trail from left, 350 ft. down road i.s fonner Long Bottom Ford across Chattooga. 2.204.3) In dense stand of planted white pines turn rigt.t away from road, begin!!scent away from river. 2.5 (34.0) Join horse trail marked with 7 in. plastic orange diamonds. Remain on horse trail 100 ft. then tum to left 30 0 on footpath into forest, horse tmii is well worn so check markers. Shortly cross Adline Branch on wooden bridge (5d). 250 ft. after bridge campsites along stream to left. 3.0(33.5) Cross old road, tum left. 3.1 (33.4) Cross old road, then gully on wooden bridge (3d), then tum left. Former clear-cut area planted in pine visible to right for next 0.4 mi. 3.2 (33.3) Cross Bynum Branch on wooden bridge (cable downstream}. Nice campsite left after bridge. 100 ft. after t.ridge, tum left, ascend. Shortly cross old road, ascend on footpath. 3.5 (33.0) Cross old road with high berms. 3.6(32.9) Turn left joining horse trail descending. 10e horse trail also goes uphill, check marke~. 200 ft. dovm road 120 0 right turn on footpath into forest. Easy to miss since horse trail goes straight and is weli worn. 3.8 (32.7) Cross dry stream in laurcl tbieket. 4.0(32.5) Travel paiallel to horse trail 100 ft. left and down. 4.1 (32.4) Cross Laurel Branch on wooden bridge (Su) in laurel thickl:t. 4.3 (32.2) Cross smul! stream on wooden bridge (5d). Campsite left after crossing. 4.5 (32.0) Merge onto old road along ridge. 4.6(31.9) Travel along ridge with restricted views. 4.7(31.8) Veer 30 0 left off old road. Possible to miss since a trail also goes sm.ight ahefld. 5.0 (31.5) On S side of Willis Knob, cro:;s streanl on wooden bridge (cable downstream) in rhododendron thicket. 5.3 (31.2) As pass through bottom of cove, intermittent spring to left and down. If camp at next highl.ight, this is convenient water. 5.5 (31.0) Pass through flat area on the skirt of Willis Knob, cross old road. (Up road 200 ft. campsites.) \Vild and Scenic River boundary blue markings in area. Bartram Trail goes downhill. Confusing due to severnl intersecting roads in area. On footpath descending after leaving flat area. 5.7(30.8) Crcss seep stream AS turn right 5.9(30.6) Cross horse trail, shortly left V-tum around nose of ridge with dry campsitt' to left. Intelmittent water at 6.0 mi. below. 6.0 (30.5) Circle right arowld wide ravine that eventually contains stream. 6.1 (30.4) Tum left down hill on old road. Large pine tree located left at tum. Descend with Warwoman Creek on right. 6.2 (30.3) On right, ruins of old wocc;en bridge across Warwoman Creek, also across creek. 6.3 (30.2) Cross 66 ft. metal footbridge ovcr WalWoman Creek. After crossing Warwoman Creek, campsite. Tum left, travel next to Warwoman Cr. on left. ~nd.. 6.5 (30.0) - Rapids on Warwoman Creek above Earls Ford ROfld. Then pass through nat, worn over-used eanlping area, and intersect Earls Ford Road. In sight down and left is Warwoman Forel. Travel approximately 30 ft up and right on Earls Ford Road and tllm 90 0 left up by large [l)ck5. Big rock to left carved: Bartram Trail, Hwy 287, Sandy Ford Road 3. (Earls Ford Rd. may be used to access the trail at IhL~ crossing. Coll/inue down Wanvvman Rd 2.2 mi. past Sandy Ford Rd, 8./ mi. fram }{wy 441 in Clayton, GA on lyarwoman Ret 3.1 mi. dawn Earls Ford Rd we come to Bartram Trail crossing just before the Wanvomatl Ford. The first 0.7 mi. is paved while the l(ist 2.4 mi. is gravel. One may park along the road above the trailhead. Heavily used area.) Continue past over-used campsites along bank of Warwoman Creek. 6.8 (29.7) Continue along bank of meandering Wa"oIioman Creek, cross wooden bridge (6d) over small stream and pass through maze of campsites along bank. 6.9(29.6) Merge left on old road moving above Warwoman Crcek, shortly nice rapids and slide below. 7.1 (29.4) Tum right off road and travel onto footpath above road. The road has been filled with high benns. 4
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