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Weekend Gem: Big Frog and Jack River Falls

Posted by eriksoltan on Feb 24, 2021 in Weekend Gem, Weekend Gem SE | No Comments

Big Frog Wilderness is a hidden gem of mountainous terrain located in Southern Tennessee/Northern Georgia. A handful of trails (mostly ridge trails) criss cross this lovely landscape in a isolated pocket of Appalachia. This 16 mile one way trek will lead you past rocky and grassy ridge tops on your way to Big Frog Mountain on the border between the States before you plunge down to scenic Jacks River in the Cohutta Wilderness in Georgia. Start out by driving to the TH off the Ocoee River, a mecca for water sports of all kinds. Start out on TR #64 which is an old roadbed until it hits TR #70 and it becomes a trail proper and continues on the ridge where really nice, but dry camp spots can be found. It is fair to tell you that this area’s trail name/numbers are confusing and some names of the trails are different than on the National Geographic Map. To add confusion to that, a lot of the signs are missing or destroyed by some pissed off trail users. If any folks read this and can shed light on this debacle, I would love to know any possible reason for this. Drop down to Low Gap (good camps)and continue on #64 as it slowly climbs up to Big Frog. In winter, get a good view north to Stratton Bald, Hangover Ridge and the Smokies far beyond. At last, reach the Mountain where more great camps can be found and views across the Cohutta and down to Jacks River too. Keep straight on Wolf Ridge as slowly drops down through nice open forests to RD 64 where you follow the road to the left down to Beech Bottom TR on your left. The thing that makes this hike so special in the winter is the fact that you can’t camp in this high use area any other time. Take this time to explore the amazing Jacks Falls area while you can leisurely. The trail utilizes a old roadbed first before turning to a proper tread at the valley around Beech Bottom. Skirt around this marshy spot before it drops to the Jacks River TR and make a quick left and then right into a great camp along the River. This small cluster of spots are the one’s that the Forest Service would like you to use. I stayed here for two nights and explored the Falls the second day. It is a short distance downstream. There was no one around except a lonely otter by my camp. When you are ready to head home, retrace your steps while thinking about your next trip along the Cohutta extensive trail system, it is the biggest south of the Mississippi River.