Jacks River - Member Hike

Hike Name:	Jacks River
Country:	United States
State:	Georgia
Nearby Town:	Elijay
Rating:
Directions:	I-575 to Elijay; L onto Hwy5 through downtown Elijay; R onto Gates Chappel Road, R at the dirt road, R on to dirt road - R at the T intersection, 3 Forks parking is on the L a little ways down.
Total Hike Distance:	21.00 miles
Hike Difficulty:	Moderate to Difficult
Permit Required:	No
Hike Type:	Roundtrip, Loop Hike
Hike Starts/Ends:	Three Forks Parking
Trails Used:	E. Cowpen; Rough Ridge; Sugar Cove; Jacks River; Rough Ridge; E. Cowpen
Backcountry Campsites:	Yes
Backcountry Water Sources:	Streams, Rivers
Management:	National Park Service
Contact Information:	Unknown
Best Season:	Spring, Summer
Users:	Hikers
Road Conditions:	Primary Paved Roads, Secondary Paved Roads, Maintained Gravel or Dirt Roads, High Clearance Vehicle Recommended
Hike Summary:	Be prepared to bushwack a bit and to climb over some downed trees on Sugar Cove. Bring "water shoes" for the Jacks section, you'll cross the river 19 times if you don't go to the falls (a few more w/ the short hike to the falls). Camp at the Rough Ridge and Jacks intersection (camping is closed in the falls area). Save some time to dayhike the mile or so to the falls and bring a swimsuit, it has numerous jumping and swimming holes. This is really the highlight of this trip. Since the falls are closed to camping it is a lot less crowded then it used to be. We were there for about 3 hours and saw 4 groups in August. The hike out up Rough Ridge is climb all the way. (It would be easier to reverse this route if you want.) There are plenty of water sources except on Rough Ridge.