Jacks Knob Trail
Encyclopedia
Jacks Knob Trail is a hiking
trail
that has been designated as a National Recreation Trail
in Georgia
. The trail is 4.5 miles (6.75 km) long and is located in the Chattahoochee National Forest in the Brasstown Ranger District
. The trail is managed by the U.S. Forest Service.
The trail starts at Brasstown Bald
and heads in a southernly direction along the boundary between Union
and Towns
counties. After 2.2 miles (3.5 km) and a descent of nearly 1500 feet (457.2 m), it reaches Jacks Gap and crosses Georgia State Route 180
. Shortly after reaching Jacks Gap, Jacks Knob Trail enters the Mark Trail Wilderness
. The trails ends at an intersection with the Appalachian Trail
below the peak of Jacks Knob
at an elevation of about 3550 feet (1,082 m).
Hiking
Hiking is an outdoor activity which consists of walking in natural environments, often in mountainous or other scenic terrain. People often hike on hiking trails. It is such a popular activity that there are numerous hiking organizations worldwide. The health benefits of different types of hiking...
trail
Trail
A trail is a path with a rough beaten or dirt/stone surface used for travel. Trails may be for use only by walkers and in some places are the main access route to remote settlements...
that has been designated as a National Recreation Trail
National Recreation Trail
National Recreation Trail is a designation given to existing trails that contribute to health, conservation, and recreation goals in the United States. Over 1,000 trails in all 50 U.S. states, available for public use and ranging from less than a mile to in length, have been designated as NRTs...
in Georgia
Georgia (U.S. state)
Georgia is a state located in the southeastern United States. It was established in 1732, the last of the original Thirteen Colonies. The state is named after King George II of Great Britain. Georgia was the fourth state to ratify the United States Constitution, on January 2, 1788...
. The trail is 4.5 miles (6.75 km) long and is located in the Chattahoochee National Forest in the Brasstown Ranger District
Brasstown Ranger District
The Brasstown Ranger District is one of the five ranger districts of the Chattahoochee National Forest. The district includes land located in Lumpkin, Towns and Union counties, Georgia...
. The trail is managed by the U.S. Forest Service.
The trail starts at Brasstown Bald
Brasstown Bald
Brasstown Bald is the highest natural point in the state of Georgia, USA, with a summit elevation of 4,784 feet above mean sea level....
and heads in a southernly direction along the boundary between Union
Union County, Georgia
Union County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. As of 2000, the population was 17,289. The 2007 Census Estimate shows a population of 20,968. The county seat is Blairsville.Its Sole commissioner is Lamar Paris, who has served since 2001....
and Towns
Towns County, Georgia
Towns County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. It was created on March 6, 1856. As of the 2000 census, the population was 9,319. The 2007 Census Estimate shows a population of 10,894. Its county seat is Hiawassee.-History:...
counties. After 2.2 miles (3.5 km) and a descent of nearly 1500 feet (457.2 m), it reaches Jacks Gap and crosses Georgia State Route 180
Georgia State Route 180
State Route 180 runs for about from SR 60 in Suches to SR 17/75 halfway between Hiawassee and Helen in Union County. SR 180 traverses some of the most difficult terrain in Georgia, traveling the gaps of the highest mountains in the state. The route has two sections known as Bald Mountain Road...
. Shortly after reaching Jacks Gap, Jacks Knob Trail enters the Mark Trail Wilderness
Mark Trail Wilderness
The Mark Trail Wilderness was designated in 1991 and currently consists of . It is named in honor of Mark Trail, a daily newspaper comic strip created by the American cartoonist Ed Dodd. The Wilderness is located within the borders of the Chattahoochee National Forest in White, Towns, and Union...
. The trails ends at an intersection with the Appalachian Trail
Appalachian Trail
The Appalachian National Scenic Trail, generally known as the Appalachian Trail or simply the AT, is a marked hiking trail in the eastern United States extending between Springer Mountain in Georgia and Mount Katahdin in Maine. It is approximately long...
below the peak of Jacks Knob
Jacks Knob
Jacks Knob is a mountain located on the border of Towns County and Union County, Georgia, with a peak elevation of 3,805 feet. The Appalachian Trail crosses the southern flank of the mountain and Jacks Knob Trail ends here at an intersection with the Appalachian Trail. Jacks Knob is in the Mark...
at an elevation of about 3550 feet (1,082 m).