The Snake Section GA12 ( view from Dug Gap Overlook)
The Georgia Pinhoti Trail
The Georgia Pinhoti Trail (GPT) is the longest foot trail in Georgia. It stretches from
the Alabama line in Polk County, Georgia southwest of Cave Spring to the Benton
Mackaye Trail deep in the Cohutta District between Ellijay, Blue Ridge, and Chatsworth.
The GPT has significant recreational opportunities for those living close to its path but
it also has national and international impacts. GPT links to the Alabama Pinhoti, which
extends for another 136 miles across the Talladega National Forest. To the north, GPT
connects with the Appalachian Trail (AT) via the Benton Mackaye Trail.
The AT ties to the International AT in Canada.
With approximately 140 miles of road walks between the Conecuh National Forest, which
is located just north of the Florida state line, and the Talladega National Forest, it is now
possible to walk from South Florida on the Florida Trail System up the eastern side of
USA into Canada. As best we can tell about five to ten elite long distance hikers are
already making this hike every year.
Georgia Pinhoti Trail is also a vital link in the proposed Great Eastern Trail (GET).
The proposed Great Eastern Trail southern terminus is Florida and goes through
Alabama to Georgia Pinhoti after which it departs northwestern Georgia through
Chattanooga, TN to the Cumberland Trail, the PineMountain Trail in Kentucky and on
to upstate New York.
Direction to Trailhead
The Snake Section GA12.
From Resaca, GA (Junction of Interstate 75 and Georgia Highway 136):
To Snake Creek Gap (GA11 & GA12): Proceed west on Highway 136. Go 6.6 miles to the intersection with Georgia Highway 136 Connector. Turn right to continue on Highway 136 and proceed 4.0 miles to Snake Creek Gap (10.6 miles total). The parking area is on the right just past the crest.
From Dalton, GA (Junction of Interstate 75 and Georgia Highway 52):
To Hurricane Creek (GA12): Exit I-75, go west 3.1 miles. Turn left on Hurricane Road and proceed 1.4 miles. Turn left on Franklin Hill Road and proceed 0.2 miles. Turn left on dirt Forest Service Road 246 and proceed 0.5 mile to trailhead at end of road (5.2 miles total).
To Dug Gap (GA12): Exit I-75, go west 1.9 miles to Dug Gap.
Mileage
Hiking distance from Snake Creek Gap (Georgia Highway 136) to Dug Gap
15.8 miles.
Trail Description - South to North
0.0 |
Trail proceeds from northeast corner of Snake Creek Gap's large parking area. |
1.1 | Reach crest of Mill Creek Mountain. |
1.6 | Descend from Mill Creek Mountain |
4.9 | Enter cove. |
5.2 | Cross Swamp Creek. |
7.3 | Reach crest of Middle Mountain. Turn sharply back to left onto trail along ridgeline. |
9.2 | Turn right onto crest of Hurricane Mountain. |
11.2 | Turn left off crest of Hurricane Mountain. |
11.4 | Hurricane Creek Gap. |
11.8 | England Spring Gap. Turn right off old road. Hurricane Creek Trail leads straight ahead 1.7 miles to the Hurricane Creek trailhead.
No horses are allowed on the Pinhoti Trail between here and Dug Gap. |
15.2 | Enter dirt Forest Service Road 202 on Dug Mountain. |
15.8 | Dug Gap. Paved county road leads right 2.0 miles to Dalton. |
 |
Horse travel restricted to southernmost 11.8 miles of this section ( south of England Spring Gap). |
Trail Description - North to South
0.0 | Dug Gap. Follow Forest Service Road 202 uphill behind gate. |
0.2 | Pass outstanding overlook to right (west). |
0.6 | Follow trail straight ahead where roads fork at top of Dug Mountain. |
4.0 | Turn left on old road in England Spring Gap. Hurricane Creek Trail leads right
1.7 miles to the Hurricane Creek trailhead. Turn right off road and ascend where old road begins steep descent. |
4.4 | Hurricane Creek Gap. Climb along east slope of mountain. |
4.6 | Turn right on ridgeline. Follow crest of Hurricane Mountain to northwest. |
6.5 | Leave ridgeline of Hurricane Mountain. Follow crest of Middle Mountain to south. |
8.5 | Turn sharp right onto Forest Service Road 207A and descend. |
10.6 | Cross Swamp Creek. |
10.7 | Turn left, ascending through cove. |
11.6 | Reach crest of ridgeline. Follow crest of Mill Creek Mountain to south. |
14.7 | Begin descent from Mill Creek Mountain along west slope of mountain. |
15.7 | Enter northeast corner of large parking area. |
15.8 |
Snake Creek Gap and Georgia Highway 136. Trail continues
directly opposite entrance to parking area. |
|
Horse travel restricted to southernmost 11.8 miles of this section ( south of England Spring Gap). |
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