Tue, Jul 12 2016 - Rice Camp Trail to Jacks River Falls Loop (View Original Event Details) Trip Leader(s): Gary Hubert, Lisa Participants: Gary Hubert, Lisa, Ann, Ralph Howard, Bunnie, Mike Brannon, Russ, Cathy, Jeff Gimpel

Frolicking in the pools beneath Jack's River Falls is a wonderful way to cool off during these dog days of summer. We complemented our dip in the cold water with a long, hot hike. Starting at the Rice Camp trailhead, we wound our way down into the Cohutta Wilderness to the Jack's River Trail, following several easy stepping stone crossings over the Rice Camp branch. Approaching the thundering falls, we changed shoes in preparation of a couple deep fords. We all made it across without slipping under, and dropped our packs at the falls for lunching, swimming, and exploring the lower falls area.

After our water adventures, we packed up and headed along the trail. Turning onto the Hickory Ridge Trail, we began our long, very steep ascent to Buckeye Mountain. Just when we thought the trail couldn't possibly go up any further, we'd round the bend and glimpse another steep pitch. This went on for about three miles. The trails were remote, unblazed, and blocked by fallen trees and branches in several places. When we finally reached the end of Hickory Ridge near the summit of Buckeye Mountain at 8.8 miles, we breathed a sigh of relief - only minimal climbing the rest of the hike. We turned right onto the unmarked East Cowpen Trail for the final leg of our journey. 

We emerged from the Cohutta wilderness mostly unscathed, grateful to see our vehicles. The 12-plus mile section of our drive out on the gravel forest service road was interrupted by a large tree that had fallen across the road. Luckily some guys with chainsaws were already clearing the way, so after a 10 minute delay we were headed home.