Fannin County Georgia Hiking Trails
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Length: 1.3 miles
Rating: Easy
Use: Moderate
Hiking Time:
About one hour for the designated loop.
Restrictions: No motorized vehicles allowed. Mountain bicycles
use is permitted on the temporary logging road, which forms the ridge side
of the loop trail. Trail designed for day hikers, not recommended for
horses.
Eyes on Wildlife Trail is located on general forestlands near Cooper
Creek Campground. It traverses a variety of wildlife habitats, which have
evolved through a combination of both human (timber management) and
natural (fire) actions on the land.
Near the trailhead, Tom Jones
Branch is an attractive mountain stream; the surrounding ridges are heavily
forested and variety of plant and animal species exist within the area. Old
logging roads provide off-trail opportunities for additional exploration in
addition to the designated visitor trail. The nearby Cooper Creek Scenic
Area is also an attraction for those seeking backcountry tailless
opportunities.
The trailhead is located one-half mile south of Cooper Creek Campground
on Forest Service Road 236. The trail begins on the east side of the
Scenic area parking lot just past the Cooper Creek Bridge. A wooden bridge
crosses Tom Jones leading directly to a beautifully engraved marble
monument marking the trailhead.
The trail begins to the left of the marble monument and
continues south as a gradual climb to a temporary forest-looking road near
the ridge top. Turn right and continue on road. Within 0.1 mile is a return
trail of desired to go back to trailhead. Continuing on road the trail
passes through a variety of habitats and at cleared wildlife opening trail
again turns right descending on well-graded trail returning to monument.
Directions from Blue Ridge, Georgia:
From the intersection of GA highway 515 and GA highway 5 in Blue Ridge,
follow GA highway 515 east (toward Blairsville) approximately 4.5 miles to
traffic light and junction with GA highway 60. Turn right on GA highway
60. Go south on GA highway 60 17.7 miles to Forest Service Road #4 (Cooper
Creek turnoff) on left. Travel on Forest Service Road #4, 4.9 miles to the
Cooper Creek Campground turnoff (Forest Service Road 236). Continue less
than one-half mile to parking area across bridge over Cooper Creek.
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