Chattahoochee/Ocoee National Forest

Iron Mountain and Conasauga Trail System

Trail Description: In October, 1996, a joint project of the US Forest Service, Cohutta District, SORBA, the Cohutta Volunteers and CBC volunteers joined the Iron Mountain and Conasauga Trails into a single trail system. A new section of trail was built including a reinforced crossing of the Conasauga River. In warm weather when the river is not too high, you can cross the Conasauga River at Cottonwood Patch Camping Area, climb Iron Mtn and descend to the river, cross the Conasauga again, follow the Conasauga trail along the river until it comes to  a parking area at Sheeds Creek, follow the forest service road back to the Jacks River, cross the bridge and return to Cottonwood Patch.  There is a singletrack spur up the hill shortly after crossing the river to the Conasauga River trail. It can be ridden as an out and back or a loop with the forest service road from the top of the hill to the Sheeds Creek Parking Area. There are some great views along the ride and the fall color is great all along this trail.

When it is too cold to get wet (you will get wet crossing the Conasauga River in either place) or the river is just too high to cross, you can go right out of Cottonwood Patch onto the forest service road and take the forest service road to the right just after crossing the bridge to the east of the camping area. This will join the Iron Mountain trail. Ride the trail up the mountain. At the fork, go to the left back down a forest service road and back to your cars.  You can continue down the road, cross the Jacks River on the steel bridge, turn left immediately past the bridge and continue to the Sheeds Creek Parking Area where you can do the Conasauga River Trail.

Location: Several miles west of Cisco, GA - about two hours north of Atlanta, GA, and one hour from Chattanooga, TN.

Highlights: The views along the ridgelines are great. There trail along the Conasauga River is delightful.   The creek crossings are deep and refreshing. The climbs are typical Cohutta--short but steep. The fall color is awesome throughout the trail.

Directions: To get to the trail head from Chattanooga: From I-75 south, go left at the second Ringgold exit (Hwy 41). Turn right onto GA 2. Follow GA-2 through Varnell, past Prater Mill, through Beaverdale to US-411. There are several turns. GA-2 crosses US 411 at Cisco. Continue on 2 beside a stone church - the road turns to gravel. Follow the road around toward the Jacks River bridge. Cottonwood Patch Camping Area is a good place to park.

This is a multi-use trail. Please respect the rights of other trail users and follow IMBA's rules of the trail. This area will be popular with local equestrian groups. Always yield the trail to other users.

Warning: There have been complaints about cars parked on the road just past the bridge at the winter entrance to the trail. Also complaints about exposure while changing clothes after the ride. Please be considerate of the property owners.

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