Cohutta Wilderness Penitentiary Branch and Jacks River Trail Overnight Part 1

Music: "Overwhelmed" by Big Daddy Weave Part 1: I went on a spring equinox solo overnight hike of approximately 12-13 miles in the Cohutta Wilderness. Beginning at the Dally Gap parking lot (elev. 2600') near Blue Ridge, Georgia. I started out at the Hemp Top Trailhead and connected with the Penitentiary Branch Trail (elev. 3050') where I hiked through beautiful hardwood and hemlock forests while being soaked with rain. From there I dropped approximately 1200' in elevation down to Penitentiary Branch where I hung my hammock for an overnight. Part 2: The next morning I connected with the Jacks River Trail (elev. 1700') at the Jacks River and made my first of many river crossings. In the approximately 6.5 miles back to Dally Gap I crossed the Jacks River 18 times. Since there had been several days of rainfall, the river was elevated and flowing rapidly. The video really doesn't show the difficulty of the crossings which were easily thigh to waist deep at times. Make sure to be prepared for the river crossings and watch the weather forecast for the area prior to your hike. Rain equals high river levels and require hiking poles or a staff. Be safe. Keep hiking!