Horse Trail Assessment Conasauga Ranger District

HORSE TRAIL ASSESSMENT

CONASAUGA RANGER DISTRICT

Chattahoochee‐Oconee National Forests

MAY 2010

TABLE OF CONTENTS

PAGE

Introduction 3

Jigger Creek Opportunity Area 4

Cohutta Wilderness Opportunity Area 8

Rock Creek Opportunity Area 11

Blue Ridge Divide Opportunity Area 15

Dry Creek Opportunity Area 19

Stover Creek Opportunity Area 22

Appendix A: Opportunity Area Maps 25

Horse Trail Assessment

Conasauga Ranger District Chattahoochee‐Oconee National Forests May 2010

The Conasauga Ranger District of the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests initiated an assessment of the horse trails in April 2009. The purpose of the assessment was to determine if the equestrian use opportunities are adequate to meet public demand. The goal for the program is to provide safe, high- quality trail opportunities for non-motorized uses that are environmentally and operationally sustainable.

In May 2009, two public meetings were held for the purposes of discussing whether or not the current trail network is adequate to meet demand, and to identify opportunities to potentially improve the trail network.

The District reviewed and considered the result of the public meetings. The recommendations from the public for improvements to the existing trail system were grouped into geographic areas referred to as “Opportunity Areas”. Each opportunity area was assessed based on the capacity for use of the existing trail system, current and needed facilities for equestrians, and opportunities for expanding and enhancing the trail system. The density and spatial distribution of existing horse trails and trailhead facilities across the District was also an important consideration.

Each Opportunity Area assessment includes a summary that identifies opportunities for expanding or enhancing the horse trail system. The ability of the Forest Service to implement these opportunities will be based on priorities for program management across all resource areas, existing Forest Service policy, and availability of funds.

Maps of the Opportunity Areas can be found in Appendix A.

JIGGER CREEK OPPORTUNITY AREA

1. OVERVIEW

Totaling about 9,600 acres, the Jigger Creek Opportunity Area (OA) is located about 3 air miles east of Tennga, GA in the northwest corner of the Cohutta Unit on the Conasauga Ranger District. The area is bounded by the TN/GA State line to the north, the Cohutta Wilderness boundary to the east, Forest Development Road (FDR) 17 and the Wilderness boundary to the south, and natural terrain features to include Doogan Mountain to the west.

Access to the area is good. Old GA Highway 2 and FDR 16 and 51 provide primary access to the area. Other access is provided by FDR 17, 17-B, 51-B, 51-C, 51-D, and 151. Trail access is offered by the 3.5-mile Horseshoe Bend Trail, Forest Development Trail (FDT) 43, and the 13.5-mile Iron Mountain Trail, FDT 77. Both trails are open to hikers and equestrians. Mountain bikers are invited on the Iron Mountain Trail, but prohibited on the Horseshoe Bend Trail that enters the Cohutta Wilderness. There is a user-created trail used by horseback riders totaling about 2 miles that follows FDR 51-D and old woods roads to connect the Cottonwood Patch Horse Camp to the Horseshoe Bend Trail, nearby avoiding FDR 51.

2. CURRENT RECREATION USES

The area is used primarily for dispersed recreational activities although the Cottonwood Patch Horse Camp is a well used developed recreational facility. Hunting, camping, fishing, horseback riding, hiking, mountain biking, and backpacking all take place in or around the area. The major recreational uses are horseback riding, camping, and hunting during the managed hunts.

3. EXISTING OPPORTUNITIES FOR EQUESTRIAN USE

The area is adjacent to the Cohutta Wilderness, the largest Forest Service managed Wilderness in the southeast, and one of the most heavily visited. Four Wilderness trailheads are located on the boundary of the OA: Rice Camp, Horseshoe Bend, Lower Jacks River, and Conasauga River Trailheads. The Conasauga River passes through the OA and its largest tributary, the Jacks River, flows through the northern portion. Both rivers have been proposed for Wild and Scenic River status.

From the Rice Camp Trailhead, wilderness hikers and horse riders can access the 3.7-mile Rice Camp Trail, 8.6-mile Hickory Creek Trail, 6.7-mile East Cowpen Trail and the connecting 3.3-mile Hickory Ridge Trail. From the Horseshoe Bend Trailhead, horse riders and hikers can follow the 2.6-mile Horseshoe Bend Trail. The 4.0-mile Beech Bottom Trail is located about 7 miles from the Cottonwood Patch Horse Camp. A 25-mile loop route out of the horse camp is used by a limited number of more adventuresome equestrians using the East Cowpen, Hickory Ridge, Beech Bottom Trails and connecting system roads.

The Cottonwood Patch Horse Camp is a small, but very popular, fee-based campground designed for horse users. It offers camping sites suitable for horse trailers, picnic tables, fire rings, horse watering troughs, hitching posts and rails, potable drinking water (well and hand pump), trash bins, and toilet facilities. It is generally used as a base for most horse riding in the OA. An attached trailhead parking area links the campground to the 13.5-mile, multi-use, Iron Mountain loop trail, a well used horse and bike trail that crosses over onto the Cherokee National Forest in Tennessee. In Tennessee, a 1.5-mile, multi-use, connector trail links the Iron Mountain Trail to FDR 221.

Just 6.5 miles from the Cottonwood Patch and just southeast of the Jigger Creek OA, the 11.8-mile Sumac Creek Trail offers a figure-8, loop trail opportunity for equestrians, mountain bikers and hikers. A trailhead suitable for horse trailers exists at the intersection of FDR 17 and FDR 17-A. Use is moderate during warm weather and low at other times.

The Jigger Creek vicinity is one of the more popular big game hunting areas on the Cohutta Unit. Three managed hunt camps within the OA are accessed via FDR 51 and 51-B: Horseshoe Bend and Burnt Schoolhouse Hunt Camps on FDR 51 and Jigger Creek Hunt Camp on FDR 51-B.

4. FOREST PLAN DIRECTION

The Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests Land and Resource Management Plan (Forest Plan) was completed in January 2004. The Forest Plan, and accompanying Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS), and Record of Decision specify the overall direction for managing the natural resources for the Forest, and consists of both Forest-wide and area-specific goals, objectives and standards that provide for land uses with anticipated resource outputs.

Horse trail and related facility development is consistent with Forest Plan Goal 31 which provides direction to “Provide a spectrum of high quality, nature-based recreation settings and opportunities that reflect the unique or exceptional resources of the Forest and the interests of the public on an environmentally sustainable, financially sound, and operationally effective basis. Adapt management of recreation facilities and opportunities as needed to shift limited resources to those opportunities.” (Forest Plan, p 2-31).

The Forest Plan identifies Management Prescriptions (MP) for each piece of National Forest System lands across the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests. The Jigger Creek OA falls within the following Management Prescriptions:

 1.B-Recommended Wilderness Study Areas  2.B.1-Recommended Wild River Segments  2.B.2-Recommended Scenic River Segments  7.B-Scenic Corridors and Sensitive Viewsheds  7.E.2- Dispersed Recreation Areas with Vegetation Management  9.H- Management, Maintenance and Restoration of Plan Associations

About 70% of the Jigger Creek OA falls within the 7.E.2 MP. These MPs receive moderate to high recreation use and are managed to improve the settings for dispersed recreation activities in a manner that protects and restores the health, diversity, and productivity of the watersheds where the areas are located. In 7.E.2 areas, non-motorized and motorized trails and travel routes will be maintained, improved, or expanded to meet local demands provided watersheds and ecosystem health are not negatively affected. Visitors should expect limited, rustic amenities. Facilities are generally rare and are only provided for health and sanitation or to protect the area from resource damage.

The foreground and middle ground seen area from FDR 17 is classified as 7.B MP, found within about 10% of the Jigger Creek OA. Management emphasis is on maintenance, or restoration and design, to provide high-quality scenery. Non-motorized and motorized recreation may occur as long as it doesn’t negatively impact the scenic value of the area as viewed from the sensitive travel way.

About 10% of the Jigger Creek OA is classified as 9.H MP, which emphasizes restoration of historical plant associations. These areas will provide a variety of motorized and non-motorized recreation opportunities.

An estimated 5% of the Jigger Creek OA is 2.B.1 and 2.B.2 MPs which are located within the Conasauga and Jacks River corridors. The Conasauga and Jacks Rivers are streams recommended for further study for their suitability for possible designation of wild river segments. Within this prescription, structures are rare and facilities are typically non-motorized trails. Horseback riding is a legitimate use, but no new bike trails should be developed because it would not be compatible with Forest Plan direction related to recommended wild and scenic river segments.

The remaining 5% of the OA is within the 1.B MP, which encompasses the 527-acre Ken Mountain Recommended Wilderness Study Area. Dispersed recreation opportunities that are compatible with a wilderness environment, such as horse and hiker trails, are allowed.

The following Recreation Opportunity Spectrum (ROS) levels are identified for the Jigger Creek OA: Roaded Natural (RN), Semi-Primitive Motorized (SPM), and Semi-Primitive Non-motorized (SPNM).

5. OPPORTUNITIES FOR EXPANDING OR IMPROVING THE TRAIL SYSTEM

The existing trail system provides abundant opportunities for horseback riding in this area. There are 9 horse trails totaling over 55 miles available for use within or near to the Jigger Creek OA. Two of these trails, Sumac Creek and Iron Mountain, offer longer loop trail opportunities of at least 12 miles. The existing trailhead facilities are generally adequate to meet the current level of demand. The Iron Mountain and Sumac Creek Trailheads were designed for horse trailers. The Horseshoe Bend Trailhead is large enough to accommodate multiple trailers. The Rice Camp Trailhead is too small to accommodate more than one or two horse trailers, but it currently meets the demand. Most horse riders use the Cottonwood Patch Campground as a base for trail rides in the area.

The Cottonwood Patch Campground is not large enough to meet the demand for horse camping during the peak camping and riding seasons. Expansion of the site would be needed to provide additional camping.

There is a non-system trail used by horseback riders that connects the Cottonwood Patch Horse Camp to the Horseshoe Bend Trailhead. Totaling about 2 miles, the user-created trail follows FDR 51-D and old woods roads. Equestrians use the route to avoid FDR 51 which receives a high amount of traffic because it provides access to several wilderness trailheads. This non-system trail is generally well located and follows acceptable grade. It could be reconstructed to suitable design standards and incorporated into the trail system.

6. RESOURCE LIMITATIONS

Any new horse trail facilities should avoid the Conasauga River and Jacks River corridors to protect the scenic values and water quality of these streams recommended for further study as wild, scenic, and recreational rivers. The portion of the Conasauga River in the Alaculsy Valley and continuing north into Tennessee is occupied by federally-listed aquatic species; it has been designated as Critical Habitat for federally-listed freshwater mussels.

The potential for rare plants in this OA is moderate. Eastern turkeybeard, a locally rare species, is present in the dry uplands; Virginia bluebell, also locally rare, is present in large numbers in the Alaculsy Valley floodplain. Additional plant surveys would be necessary prior to new construction.

Non-native invasive plants (NNIS) are extremely common in the Alaculsy Valley area. Any new trail construction would need to be monitored, and if necessary, treated with chemical or mechanical methods to prevent spread of these species into the Forest.

Any expansion of the Cottonwood Patch Campground must meet Forest Plan goals and standards for Management Prescription 11 – Riparian Corridors (Forest Plan, p 3-177 – 3-179). No new development should be considered within 100 feet of the Conasauga River.

ROS class settings are not limiting factors to horse trail and facility development.

7. SUMMARY

The Jigger Creek OA includes a large number of existing opportunities for horseback riding. There is an opportunity to include an existing 2-mile non-system trail as a system trail, with some reconstruction, in order to protect soil and water resources and improve the safety of equestrians currently using a high- traffic system road.

The Cottonwood Patch Campground serves as a base camp for equestrians using nearby trails. It is at capacity during peak use periods. There is an opportunity to expand the campground to better meet the needs of equestrians.

COHUTTA WILDERNESS OPPORTUNITY AREA

1. OVERVIEW

Totaling about 37,000 acres, the Cohutta Wilderness Opportunity Area (OA) is located about 9 air miles northeast of Chatsworth, GA in the northern portion of the Cohutta Unit on the Conasauga Ranger District. The congressionally designated Wilderness is located in both Georgia and Tennessee, on the Chattahoochee and Cherokee National Forests. Since the Chattahoochee NF is the administrative lead for management of the Cohutta Wilderness, this analysis will encompass the entire Wilderness area. The OA is bounded by FDR 62, Big Frog Wilderness, and natural terrain features on the Cherokee NF to the north, FDR 22, private land, and natural terrain features to the east, FDR 64, 68 and 17 to the south, and FDR 17 and natural terrain features to include Ken Mountain to the west.

Access to the area is good. Since it is a designated Wilderness, there are no interior roads. However, most of the wilderness is encircled by a system road. FDR 62 provides vehicle access to the northern portion of the OA. FDR 22 and 64 offer motorized access to the east side. From the south, access is provided by FDR 64 and 68. And, FDR 17 and 51 allow vehicle access to the western boundary of the OA.

About 100 total miles of trails are found in the OA. While hikers are permitted on all the Wilderness trails, horse riders have all or part of 13 system trails open to them, covering nearly 53 miles. There is one non-system trail that connects the Rice Camp Trail to the Hickory Ridge Trail that is well used in order to make a loop hike/ride from the Rice Camp Trailhead.

2. CURRENT RECREATION USES

The Cohutta Wilderness is the largest Forest Service managed wilderness in the southeast and one of the most heavily visited Wildernesses in the country. The area is used primarily for backpacking, hiking, horseback riding, and fishing. However, hunting, swimming, and other dispersed recreational activities compatible with wilderness occur.

The Wilderness has been impacted from overuse, particularly along the two river corridors and in the Beech Bottom/Jacks River Falls area. To reduce the impacts, the district conducted a Limits of Acceptable Change (LAC) Wilderness planning process that was completed in 2005 and resulted in the establishment of several Closure Orders restricting use.

To provide additional horseback riding opportunities in a backcountry setting, the Iron Mountain and Sumac Creek Trail Systems were developed adjacent to the Wilderness boundary. The intent of this action was to offer alternative long distance loop trails for equestrians outside of the Cohutta Wilderness.

Within the Beech Bottom/Jacks River Falls Area, camping is prohibited except at 6 designated campsites during the winter months. Campfires and alcohol are also prohibited within this managed

8 day-use-only area. Throughout the Wilderness, group sizes are limited to 12 people or less per hiking group, and 8 horses/pack stock or less per equestrian group. The district is currently in the process of identifying designated campsites and closing poorly located campsites within the Jacks River corridor.

3. EXISTING OPPORTUNITIES FOR EQUESTRIAN USE

The Cohutta Wilderness provides outstanding opportunities for primitive recreational pursuits. Eleven wilderness trailheads are located on the boundary of the OA: Beech Bottom, Rice Camp, Horseshoe Bend, Lower Jacks River, Conasauga River, Hickory Creek, Tearbritches, Chestnut Lead, Betty Gap, 3- Forks, and Dally Gap Trailheads. Within the OA, the Conasauga River and the Jacks River are blue ribbon trout streams that have been proposed for Wild and Scenic River status. The Jacks River Falls is a destination for many wilderness users.

With some 100 miles of trail, there are abundant trails to explore. However, most of the horse trails are out-and-back rides as many of the connecting trails that would provide loop opportunities require crossings of either the Jacks or Conasauga Rivers and horses are generally prohibited from crossing either river except at a few locations. A 25-mile loop route out of the Cottonwood Patch Horse Camp is ridden by a limited number of more adventuresome, long distance equestrians using the East Cowpen, Hickory Ridge, and Beech Bottom Trails and connecting system roads.

The Wilderness supports a high population of black bears. During big game season, a low to moderate number of bear hunters frequent the area.

4. FOREST PLAN DIRECTION

The Forest Plan identifies the following Management Prescription (MP) for the Cohutta Wilderness OA: 1.A-Designated Wilderness Areas.

Management of the area is focused on protecting and preserving the natural environment, natural processes, and heritage properties from human influences. Wilderness has outstanding opportunities for solitude or a primitive and unconfined type of recreation. Dispersed recreation opportunities that are compatible with a wilderness environment, such as horse and hiker trails, are allowed.

ROS settings will be managed for Primitive ROS class. The Limits of Acceptable Change management direction for the Cohutta Wilderness supports a Primitive ROS class.

5. OPPORTUNITIES FOR EXPANDING OR IMPROVING THE TRAIL SYSTEM

The existing trail system provides abundant opportunities for horseback riding in the Cohutta Wilderness. There are 9 horse trails totaling an estimated 53 miles.

The 6 existing equestrian trailhead parking areas are generally adequate to meet the current level of demand. The Horseshoe Bend Trailhead is large enough to accommodate multiple trailers. The Rice Camp, Hickory Creek, and 3-Forks Trailheads will only accommodate a few horse trailers at any one time, but terrain limits further expansion. The Beech Bottom Trailhead will not accommodate trailers, but this parking area is heavily used by hikers and backpackers and managed for that primary use. The Dally Gap Trailhead has room for 1-2 horse trailers now, and has the capability of being enlarged to allow additional use.

There is a 0.5-mile user-created trail followed by hikers and horseback riders that connects the Hickory Ridge Trail to the Rice Camp Trail to form a 7-mile loop trail via the East Cowpen Trail from the Rice Camp Trailhead.

6. RESOURCE LIMITATIONS

The headwaters of the Conasauga and Jacks Rivers are within this OA. Any new ground disturbance within these watersheds, such as that resulting from trail construction, stream crossing development, or increased recreational use could potentially negatively affect federally-listed aquatic species and designated Critical Habitat in these rivers.

Due to heavy visitation and resultant resource impacts occurring in the Cohutta Wilderness, no new trail development should be considered that would potentially increase the amount of use. The LAC process recommended only management actions that would improve and protect wilderness values to include solitude.

7. SUMMARY

The Cohutta Wilderness provides a large number of existing opportunities for horseback riding. Considering that over-use of the Wilderness is already a concern and the potential for impacts to resources, no new trails should be considered.

There is an opportunity to expand the Dally Gap Trailhead parking area east of FDR 22 to accommodate additional horse trailers.

ROCK CREEK OPPORTUNITY AREA

1. OVERVIEW

Totaling about 9,800 acres, the Rock Creek Opportunity Area (OA) is located about 5 air miles southeast of Chatsworth, GA in the southern end of the Cohutta Unit of the Conasauga Ranger District. The OA is generally bounded by State Highway 52 to the north, County Roads 2321 (Old Federal County Road) and 4 (Dennis Mill County Road) to the west, State Highway 282 to the south, and Tatum Mountain Road, FDR 631, and Tatum Lead OHV Trail, FDT 631, to the east.

Access to the area is generally good. However, private land placement hinders access to National Forest land from the county roads. FDR 3 (Peeples Lake Road), FDR 340 (Baker Branch Road) and FDR 3A (Sandy Gap Road) provide year around vehicle access to the interior of the OA; however, the last 2.8 miles of FDR 3A is closed to public vehicles. Following the top of Tatum Mountain, FDT 631 (Tatum Lead Trail) is a year around OHV route open to full-size 4x4 vehicles. FDR 631 is a Right-Of-Way off of State Highway 52 that connects to FDT 631.

There are 2 motorized trails in the OA: the 5.5-mile Tatum Lead Trail and the connecting 4.6-mile Rock Creek ATV Trail, FDT 175. The non-motorized Pinhoti Trail follows FDR 3 and FDR 340 as it winds its way up to FDT 631 and FDR 631 before leaving the OA. The 1.0-mile Fort Mountain Connector Trail connects the Pinhoti Trail/FDR 3 to Fort Mountain State Park.

2. CURRENT RECREATION USES

The area is used primarily for dispersed recreational activities. Hunting, camping, fishing, horseback riding, hiking, mountain biking, and motorized trail riding all take place in or around the area. The major recreational uses are hunting, mountain biking, fishing, and motorized trail riding including ATVs, motorcycles, and full-size 4x4 vehicles.

Fishing is available in Peeples Lake, a 2-acre warm water impoundment, and Rock Creek, a native trout fishery. A 0.4-mile fisherman access trail encircles Peeples Lake. Peeples Lake is a day-use-only recreation site with a 4-vehicle parking area and a vault toilet. Fishing use is low.

The OA is one of the few areas to hunt on the Cohutta Unit outside of the Cohutta Wildlife Management Area (WMA). Hunting seasons are generally longer here than what is allowed in the WMA. Consequently, the area is popular with local hunters for big game and small game. Use is considered moderate.

The Pinhoti Trail and the Fort Mountain Connector Trail offer mountain biking and hiking. However, since these trails follow system roads or old road beds for the most part, they are not as popular as single-track trails. Current use is low.

Motorized trail use by ATV, motorcycle and 4x4 vehicle riders is popular in this area. FDT 631 and 175 are linked to provide over 10 miles of motorized loop trail riding. A trailhead parking area and off- loading ramp for FDT 175 is located on FDR 3A. Motorized use is considered moderate overall.

Horses are not permitted on the motorized trails due to safety considerations. Since there are no system trails available to equestrians, horse use is low in the OA, confined to system roads and old non-system road beds.

3. EXISTING OPPORTUNITIES FOR EQUESTRIAN USE

Hunting and fishing, in season, are popular dispersed uses.

Motorized trail opportunities are the key attraction in the OA.

Non-motorized trail opportunities are limited. Hiking and mountain biking are generally confined to system and non-system roads with no loop opportunities. There are no facilities for horseback riding and the available roads have fairly high levels of traffic making horseback riding on them undesirable.

Extensive opportunities for horseback riding can be found north of the OA in Fort Mountain State Park. This State Park provides 25 miles of various loop trails and a private stables, Cherokee Creek Stables, is located adjacent to the park. Cherokee Creek Stables allows for camping, parking, and provides access to the trails at Fort Mountain State Park.

4. FOREST PLAN DIRECTION

The Forest Plan identifies the following Management Prescriptions (MP) for the Rock Creek OA: 7.B- Scenic Corridors and Sensitive Viewsheds and 9.H- Management, Maintenance and Restoration of Plan Associations.

The foreground and middle ground seen area from State Highway 52 is classified as 7.B, found within about 20% of the OA. Management emphasis is on maintenance, or restoration and design, to provide high-quality scenery. Non-motorized and motorized recreation may occur as long as it doesn’t negatively impact the scenic value of the area as viewed from the sensitive travel way.

The remaining 80% of the OA is classified as 9.H, which emphasizes restoration of historical plant associations. These areas will provide a variety of motorized and non-motorized recreation opportunities.

The following Recreation Opportunity Spectrum (ROS) levels are identified for the Rock Creek OA: Roaded Natural (RN), Semi-Primitive Motorized (SPM), and Semi-Primitive Non-motorized (SPNM).

5. OPPORTUNITIES FOR EXPANDING OR IMPROVING THE TRAIL SYSTEM

There is an opportunity for expanding and improving the non-motorized trail system for horseback riders, mountain bikers and hikers by rerouting the Pinhoti Trail. The Conservation Fund, in partnership with the Georgia Pinhoti Trail Association (GPTA) has purchased land adjoining National Forest that has road frontage on County Road 4 at Dennis Mill. The GPTA has approached the Forest Service about constructing a trail across Conservation Fund property onto National Forest land that would connect with the closed section of FDR 3A. A field review of the proposed trail has determined that the route could be constructed to Forest Service standards.

In addition, terrain is favorable and GPTA intends to construct a trailhead parking area on Conservation Fund property, accessible to County Road 4. The parking area would be built to accommodate horse trailers.

The trail proposal would require new construction on about 0.7 miles of Conservation Fund property and 1.8 miles on National Forest, reconstruction of about 0.7 miles of an old road on National Forest land, and a trail crossing of a major tributary of Rock Creek. Linking this new trail to the 2.8 miles of FDR 3A closed to vehicle traffic would, in effect, provide 6 additional miles for non-motorized trail users.

The Pinhoti Trail could be rerouted onto this new trail to avoid the 6.8-mile Peeples Lake Road. Moving trail users off of the system road would improve user safety.

6. RESOURCE LIMITATIONS

New non-motorized trail developments are limited by steep terrain, private land placement, and the existing motorized trail system. Any trail proposals must ensure protection of Rock Creek and its aquatic resources. Upper Rock Creek and its headwaters, Bearpen Branch and Baker Branch, is an excellent trout fishery. The federally-listed blue shine and freshwater mussels are found in lower Rock Creek near Dennis Mill and downstream to the confluence with Holly Creek.

The potential for rare plants in this OA is moderate. No known listed, sensitive, or locally rare species are present. Botanical surveys would be necessary prior to any new construction.

ROS class settings are not limiting factors to horse trail and facility development.

7. SUMMARY

The recreation opportunities in this OA focus on motorized recreation. Even though there is an extensive motorized trail system, there is not an opportunity to allow for horses on these trails because of conflicting uses and safety concerns. Fort Mountain State Park, in conjunction with Cherokee Creek Stables, provides opportunities for horse trail rides and camping just to the north of the OA.

It has been a goal of the GPTA to create a Pinhoti trailhead and connector trail through the Dennis Mill area. The Conservation Fund has been able to purchase property to allow for this connector trail to finally be constructed. There is an opportunity to enhance the equestrian use through entering into a partnership with the Conservation Fund and the Pinhoti Trail Association to allow for the re-route of the Pinhoti Trail and construction of the trailhead. The major reroute of the Pinhoti Trail should be considered to improve user safety and provide horseback riding opportunities. There is not an opportunity for loop trail development because of resource limitations.

BLUE RIDGE DIVIDE OPPORTUNITY AREA

1. OVERVIEW

Totaling about 18,000 acres, the Blue Ridge Divide Opportunity Area (OA) is located about 6 air miles west of Blue Ridge, GA in the eastern portion of the Cohutta Unit. The OA is generally bounded by the Georgia/Tennessee state line to the north, the Cohutta Wilderness to the west, FDR 64 and the Blue Ridge Divide to the south, and private land to the east.

Road access to the area is very good. Old GA Highway 2 and FDR 22, 64, 793 and 797 provide primary access to the area. Other access is provided by FDR 22-A&B, 64-A, 124, 126, 623, 792 and 796. Trail access is offered by the Benton MacKaye Trail, FDT 2, Pinhoti Trail, FDT 3, and the South Fork Trail, FDT 140. The Benton MacKaye Trail is open to hiking only, while the Pinhoti Trail and the South Fork Trail are also open to horseback riding and mountain biking.

There are several non-system trails used by horseback riders that generally follow old woods roads.

2. CURRENT RECREATION USES

The area is used primarily for dispersed recreational activities. Hunting, camping, fishing, horseback riding, hiking, backpacking, and mountain biking all take place in or around the area. The major recreational uses are camping and horseback riding.

The Jacks River Fields Campground offers developed camping and trailhead parking to equestrians and other campers. Use by equestrians is high on weekends during the fair weather months. Many equestrians use the campground as a base camp for day rides. However, the demand for horse camping and horse trailer parking facilities exceeds the capacity of this small campground.

The Back Country Horsemen of North Georgia (BCHNG) has adopted the routine maintenance of the Jacks River Fields Campground through a Sponsored Volunteer Agreement and a Service-wide Memorandum of Understanding between the Back Country Horsemen of American and the U.S. Forest Service. Additionally, BCHNG installed two horse stalls at the campground.

The Blue Ridge Divide OA is a popular horseback riding area. However, there are only 5.6 miles of system trails open to horses, the 2.8-mile South Fork Trail and a 2.8-mile segment of the Pinhoti Trail. Much of the horse use occurs either on gated Forest Service system roads or on old road beds which have been made into non-system trails.

A Pinhoti and Mountaintown Creek trailhead parking area, suitable for passenger cars, exists on FDR 64. However, the parking area is too small to accommodate horse trailers. Equestrians often trailer from Jacks River Fields to one of two Cohutta Wilderness Trailheads, Dally Gap or 3-Forks, on the boundary of the Blue Ridge Divide OA.

The Benton MacKaye Trail is a long distance, hiker-only, through trail that passes through the OA for 16.9 miles. Where it converges with the South Fork Trail, horses and mountain bikes are permitted. The Benton MacKaye Trail between Bushy Head Gap and Dyer Gap is one of the more remote sections of this trail system. Hiking use is generally low on this remote segment.

The South Fork of the Jacks River is a native trout fishery. However, fishing pressure is considered low. Hunting during big game season is a popular pursuit. The gate on FDR 126 is opened for deer/bear rifle season and two small hunt camps are located there. The Jacks River Fields Campground is generally filled to near capacity during the big game rifle season.

3. EXISTING OPPORTUNITIES FOR EQUESTRIAN USE

The Jacks River Fields Campground and surrounding horse trail system is the key attraction to the many equestrians using the OA. From Jacks River Fields, equestrians ride a well-used, 7-mile, loop route by following the South Fork Trail, the Pinhoti Trail, and FDR 64. Another 8.5-mile loop opportunity is available via the South Fork Trail and FDR 126 and 64.

Horse and mountain bike trail facilities are limited. There are no developed camping facilities or system trails east of FDR 64, FDR 22, and the Blue Ridge Divide. Two Cohutta Wilderness Trailheads on the boundary of the OA are used by equestrians.

4. FOREST PLAN DIRECTION

The Forest Plan identifies the following Management Prescriptions (MP) for the Blue Ridge Divide OA:

 7.B - Scenic Corridors and Sensitive Viewsheds  7.E.2 – Dispersed Recreation Areas with Vegetation Management  8.E.3 – High Elevation Early Successional Habitat  9.H - Management, Maintenance and Restoration of Plan Associations  12.A – Remote Backcountry Recreation-Few Open Roads

The foreground and middle ground seen area from FDR 64 is classified as 7.B, found within about 10% of the OA. Management emphasis is on maintenance, or restoration and design, to provide high-quality scenery. Non-motorized and motorized recreation may occur as long as it doesn’t negatively impact the scenic value of the area as viewed from the sensitive travel way.

Located within the corridor of the South Fork of the Jacks River, about 5% of the area is classified as 7.E.2. Management is designed to meet the growing demands for dispersed recreation activities. Trails will be maintained, improved, or expanded to meet local demands provided watershed and ecosystem health are not negatively affected.

A small amount of acreage in the Flat Top Mountain area is classified 8.E.3. Facilities are primarily non-structural, for example: trails, roads, tent pads, etc. Structures are uncommon. Limited new facilities are provided. Type, number, location, and degree of facility development are a primary means of limiting visitor use. There is no emphasis on upgrading recreational facilities to provide more amenities.

About 20% of the OA is classified as 12.A. This MP is generally found south of Cashes Valley on the slopes from Flat Top Mountain to Bushy Head Gap. These areas provide large tracts of backcountry opportunities with a semi-primitive motorized ROS emphasis. A non-motorized trail system is provided, utilizing old roads as well as new trails, where possible, to create a desired trail system. Trail systems are planned to reduce social encounters and provide opportunities for solitude.

The remaining 65% of the OA is classified as 9.H, which emphasizes restoration of historical plant associations. These areas will provide a variety of motorized and non-motorized recreation opportunities.

The following Recreation Opportunity Spectrum (ROS) levels are identified for the Cashes Valley OA: Roaded Natural (RN), Semi-Primitive Motorized (SPM), and Semi-Primitive Non-motorized (SPNM).

5. OPPORTUNITIES FOR EXPANDING OR IMPROVING THE TRAIL SYSTEM

There is high demand for more equestrian trails and trailhead parking areas in the OA. The Jacks River Fields Campground/Trailhead is not large enough to meet the demand for equestrian camping and trailhead parking for horse trailers and terrain limitations do not allow for expanding the site.

Opportunities exist for the development of horse trails and trailhead facilities east of FDR 64 in the Cashes Valley and Devils Den areas due to a number of system roads, old woods roads, and user-created trails found there.

There is an opportunity on the South Fork/Pinhoti Trail loop to reroute users off of FDR 64 to improve user safety. Increasing the size of the Pinhoti/Mountaintown Creek Trailhead Parking Area to accommodate horse trailer parking should be considered.

6. RESOURCE LIMITATIONS

The potential for rare plants in this OA is high, especially in the portion of the OA south of Old GA Highway 2. Several populations of federally-listed and state-listed plants are present. Additional botanical surveys would be necessary prior to new construction, and monitoring of the known populations would need to be done on at least an annual basis.

Any new trail development must meet Forest Plan goals and standards for Management Prescription 11 – Riparian Corridors. Tumbling Creek and Little Fightingtown Creek are both excellent trout fisheries, and also contain rare aquatic species (hellbenders).

Expansion of the Jacks River Fields Campground is not possible due to its location adjacent to the Jacks River.

ROS class settings are not limiting factors to horse trail and facility development.

7. SUMMARY

The opportunity for equestrian use on system trails in this area is limited but the demand is high, which is made apparent by the extensive network of non-system trails currently being used. There may be opportunities to create loop trails with trailhead parking to enhance equestrian use in the area but further analysis is needed to determine whether or not this would be feasible based on resource and operational constraints. In addition, the analysis could consider whether or not the development of an associated horse camping area that can serve as an alternative to Jacks River Fields Campground is possible since it is often at or near capacity during weekends and fair weather months.

DRY CREEK OPPORTUNITY AREA

1. OVERVIEW

Totaling about 15,000 acres, the Dry Creek Opportunity Area (OA) is located about 5 air miles south of Villanow, GA in the central portion of the Armuchee Unit of the Conasauga Ranger District. The OA is generally bounded by Taylors Ridge to the west, Dunaway Gap and private land to the south, Johns Mountain to the east, and Strawberry Mountain and FDR 208 to the north.

Road access to the area is very good. County Roads 705/329 (East Armuchee Road), 706/325 (West Armuchee Road), and 224 (Hammond Gap Road) provide primary access to the area. Major Forest Service Roads include FDR 259, 252, 227, and 226. Other access is provided by FDR 310, 226-A, B & C, 216, 200-1 & 2, 260, 259-A, B &C, 213, and 228. Trail access is offered by the Pinhoti Trail, FDT 3, a long distance, non-motorized trail that passes through the length of the OA.

2. CURRENT RECREATION USES

The area is used primarily for dispersed recreational activities. Hunting, camping, fishing, horseback riding, hiking, mountain biking, and scenic driving all occur in the area. The major recreational uses are horseback riding, camping, scenic driving, and seasonal hunting.

The Pinhoti Trail is a long distance, non-motorized, through trail that passes through the OA for an estimated 13 miles. The Pinhoti is open to hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding in this area, following a narrow, single-track pathway that links with Forest Service and county roads. Loop opportunities are available only if connecting system roads are used. Use is generally low west of the East Armuchee Road. Visitor use increases to moderate to high levels once the Pinhoti Trail enters the Dry Creek area with its network of user-created trails.

The Pinhoti Trail has 3 parking areas in the OA: the old Narrows Picnic Area, Strawberry Mountain, and Dry Creek. The Narrows and Strawberry Mountain are small, undeveloped parking areas suitable for passenger cars or 1-2 horse trailers. Dry Creek is a large, accessible, fee-based parking area with pull- through spaces for some 16 horse trailers.

The Dry Creek area is a very popular horseback riding area. Equestrians visit the area to ride a 15-20 mile system of undeveloped, non-system trails. Use is high on weekends during fair weather. While most of the visitors are day-users, a low to moderate number of equestrians use the area for dispersed horse camping. There are two dispersed camping areas just east of East Armuchee Creek on FDR 226-B and FDR 226-C.

The Ridge and Valley Scenic Byway is a designated, 51-mile, scenic driving route popular for driving tours and bicycling alike. Passing through the OA, the East Armuchee County Road is used as a leg of the Byway. Use is moderate to high on weekends during the fair weather months.

The area is well used by hunters during the fall deer season and the spring turkey season. Most of the hunters come for the day, but there is a moderate amount of associated dispersed camping.

3. EXSITING OPPORTUNITIES FOR EQUESTRIAN USE

The Dry Creek area provides the most opportunities for non-motorized trail use and dispersed camping. Equestrians are currently attracted to the area for the many miles of user-created horse trails there. These user-created trails are soon to be replaced by a developed trail system to be constructed to Forest Service standards. Planning has been completed and a majority of the funding has been secured to develop a 26-mile network of non-motorized, multi-use system trails that will link with the Pinhoti Trail and use the existing developed trailhead parking area as a hub. Construction is expected begin in 2010.

The Pinhoti Trail provides several opportunities for out and back trail rides. The Pinhoti Trailhead at Dry Creek provides ample parking spaces for passenger cars and horse trailers. The developed trailhead offers accessible parking, toilet facilities, picnic tables, and an information board.

4. FOREST PLAN DIRECTION

The Forest Plan identifies the following Management Prescriptions (MP) for the Dry Creek OA:

 7.A - Scenic Byway Corridors  7.E.1 – Dispersed Recreation Areas  9.H - Management, Maintenance and Restoration of Plan Associations

The foreground and middle ground seen area from East Armuchee Road is classified as 7.A, found within about 5% of the OA. Management emphasis is focused on protecting and showcasing the unique and scenic natural and cultural resources along the scenic byway. In the corridor, recreation will consist primarily of driving for pleasure, but access to trails and other recreation areas may be provided. Trails should quickly leave the area and not parallel the byway.

Located within the riparian area of East Armuchee Creek, about 10% of the area is classified as 7.E.1. These areas receive moderate to high recreation use and are managed to provide the public with a variety of recreation opportunities in a setting that provides quality scenery, numerous trails and limited facilities. Trails will be maintained, improved, or expanded to meet local demands, provided the local ecosystem is not negatively affected.

The vast majority of the acreage in the OA, 85%, is classified as 9.H, which emphasizes restoration of historical plant associations. These areas will provide a variety of motorized and non-motorized recreation opportunities.

The following Recreation Opportunity Spectrum (ROS) levels are identified for the Dry Creek OA: Roaded Natural (RN), Semi-Primitive Motorized (SPM), and Semi-Primitive Non-motorized (SPNM).

5. OPPORTUNITIES FOR EXPANDING OR IMPROVING THE TRAIL SYSTEM

The development of the Dry Creek Trail System will meet the demand for more equestrian trails in the OA. The existing Pinhoti Trailhead Parking Area in the Dry Creek area is expected to meet the demand for horse trailer parking.

The Pinhoti trailheads at the old Narrows Picnic Area on County Road 224 and at Strawberry Mountain on FDR 227 are too small to accommodate horse trailers even though equestrians are the primary users on these portions of the trail. Terrain is favorable to increase the size of the Strawberry Mountain Trailhead to accommodate horse trailer parking. However, expansion of the trailhead at the old Narrows Picnic Area is limited due its present location between a stream and the county road. A better trailhead location can be found nearby at Hammond Gap.

Availability to horse camping is limited to dispersed sites. A private landowner with property adjacent to the Dry Creek area has indicated that they are interested in providing stables and camping opportunities for horses once the Dry Creek Horse Trail system in completed. In addition, the two existing dispersed horse camping sites at Dry Creek could be improved to better protect the soils and water resources by relocating vehicle parking farther from the stream and hardening the campsites with gravel.

6. RESOURCE LIMITATIONS

Any new trail development must meet Forest Plan goals and standards for Management Prescription 11 – Riparian Corridors. Protection of water quality in East Armuchee Creek is vitally important due to the presence of rare freshwater mussels and its value as foraging habitat for endangered gray bats.

Rare plants are present in the OA, but their locations are fairly well-known and have been avoided by the location of the proposed Dry Creek trail system. No new botanical surveys would be necessary, unless the trailhead at Hammond Gap is created and the trailhead at Strawberry Mountain is expanded.

ROS class settings are not limiting factors to horse trail and facility development.

7. SUMMARY

The Dry Creek OA provides extensive opportunities for horse trail use, particularly with the additional Dry Creek Horse Trail System, and no new trails are needed. A private landowner near the Dry Creek area has intentions to open a horse campground, which would meet any additional camping needs in the OA. There is an opportunity to address soil and water concerns related to dispersed camping.

There is an opportunity to improve the suitability of two Pinhoti Trailhead parking areas for horse trailers through the expansion of the Strawberry Mountain Trailhead and the relocation of the Old Narrows Picnic Area Trailhead to Hammond Gap.

STOVER CREEK OPPORTUNITY AREA

1. OVERVIEW

Totaling about 6,300 acres, the Stover Creek Opportunity Area (OA) is located about 2 air miles southwest of Dalton, GA in the northeastern section of the Armuchee Unit of the Conasauga Ranger District. The OA is generally bounded by County Roads 349/361 (Mill Creek/Dug Gap Roads) and private land to the north, Mill Creek Mountain to the west, Chestnut Mountain to the south, and Rocky Face Mountain to the east.

Road access to the area is limited. County Roads 6 (Swamp Creek Road), 9 (Stover Creek Road) and 359 (Hurricane Road) provide primary access to the area. Major Forest Service access roads include FDR 207, 207-A, 212, and 212-A. Other access is provided by FDR 202 and 246. Trail access in the OA is offered by the Pinhoti Trail, FDT 3 (P, Q, R) a long distance, non-motorized trail and Hurricane Creek Trail, FDT 3-Y, a 1.7-mile spur trail off the Pinhoti.

2. CURRENT RECREATION USES

The area is used primarily for dispersed recreational activities. Hunting, camping, horseback riding, hiking, and mountain biking all occur in the area. The major recreational uses are mountain biking, horseback riding, and camping.

The Pinhoti Trail is a long distance, non-motorized, through trail that passes through the OA for nearly 15 miles. A developed trailhead large enough to accommodate horse trailers exists on State Road 136 outside of the OA. The trail is open to hiking, horseback riding and mountain biking. However, the Pinhoti Trail is closed to horseback riding north of England Springs Gap. From England Springs Gap, equestrians can ride the Hurricane Creek Trail down to a small parking area at the end of FDR 246.

Mountain bike use of the trail system is moderate to high depending on the time of year. The Pinhoti Trail in this area is currently used for an annual mountain bike race allowed by special use permit to the Southern Off-Road Bicycle Association (SORBA). The winter race attracts hundreds of participants and is well supported by the City of Dalton.

Equestrian use of the area is generally low to moderate due to the out-and-back layout of the Pinhoti Trail and the inadequate size of the Hurricane Creek Trailhead.

Mountain bikers and a small number of equestrians follow a non-system trail from the end of the Stover Creek Road, FDR 207, to tie into the Pinhoti Trail on Middle Mountain. Stover Creek is a short distance from the Dalton area, and this non-system trail is easy to get to for a quick ride. The trail follows an old roadbed up the Stover Creek drainage for most of its length. Some illegal ATV and motorcycle use of the trail occurs in this area, but rock barriers installed by the Forest Service have been effective in curtailing use.

Dispersed camping is popular in the Stover Creek area. Most of the camping occurs near the FDR 207 and 207-A intersection. There are some law enforcement issues arising from large gatherings and parties that are known to occur.

The Johns Creek Wildlife Management Area occupies the lower half of the OA from the lower Swamp Creek drainage northwest to Mill Creek Mountain. Hunting pressure is generally low due to the lack of open roads.

Numerous communication towers under special use permit are located on FDR 202 near Dug Gap. The first approximately 100 feet of FDR 202 is an administrative Right-Of-Way (ROW) across Whitfield County property. No public vehicle access is available, but foot and bike travel is allowed to access the Pinhoti Trail.

3. EXISTING OPPORTUNITIES FOR EQUESTRIAN USE

The Pinhoti Trail provides opportunities for out and back use. From the trailhead on Highway 136, it is an 11.8-mile ride to England Springs Gap. Equestrians must then either turn around or turn onto the Hurricane Creek access trail.

4. FOREST PLAN DIRECTION

The Forest Plan identifies the following Management Prescriptions (MP) for the Stover Creek OA:

 4.I – Natural Areas – Few Open Roads  9.H - Management, Maintenance and Restoration of Plan Associations

The northern half of the OA, above Redwine Cove, is classified 4.I. Management emphasis is to provide recreation opportunities in isolated areas where users can obtain a degree of solitude and the environment can be maintained in a near-natural state. These areas are managed at an overall low management intensity. Development of hiking trail systems will be emphasized.

The southern half of the OA is classified as 9.H, which emphasizes restoration of historical plant associations. These areas will provide a variety of motorized and non-motorized recreation opportunities.

The following Recreation Opportunity Spectrum (ROS) levels are identified for the OA: Roaded Natural (RN), Semi-Primitive Motorized (SPM), and Semi-Primitive Non-motorized (SPNM).

5. OPPORTUNITIES FOR EXPANDING OR IMPROVING THE TRAIL SYSTEM

Trail development is limited by terrain and access and Forest Plan direction recommends little development and a low level of management for the northern half of the OA.

The Hurricane Creek Trailhead is too small to accommodate horse trailers. Terrain is favorable to expand the size of the parking area.

Dug Gap is an ideal location to provide public access to the Pinhoti Trail given its proximity to I-75 and the City of Dalton. However, there are no Forest Service trailhead facilities due to ROW issues. Whitfield County and the City of Dalton are currently assessing their opportunities to link county and city trails to the Pinhoti on National Forest. A trailhead parking area should be investigated for Dug Gap either on national forest, city, or county administered property.

The user-created trail at Stover Creek is generally poorly located within the stream riparian area. The trail should be surveyed for resource impacts and considered for either relocation or closure.

Dispersed camping is very popular in this OA. The impacts from this camping to the soil and water resources should be reviewed.

6. RESOURCE LIMITATIONS

The potential for rare plants in this OA is moderate. Several populations of sensitive and state-listed plants are present. Additional botanical surveys would be necessary prior to new construction, and monitoring of the known populations would need to be done on at least an annual basis.

Any new trail development must meet Forest Plan goals and standards for Management Prescription 11 – Riparian Corridors. Stover Creek is listed by the GA EPD on the current 305(b)/303(d) list as “not supporting designated use (fishing)” due to non-point source pollution which is impacting the aquatic biota. Although this situation is most likely resulting from activities on private property, user-made trails and dispersed camping sites may be contributing sediment to Stover Creek.

Civil War breastworks are located on Rocky Face Mountain in the vicinity of the Dug Gap Communication Sites. These are valuable resources which need protection. The safety and protection of the communication sites should be another important consideration in the development of any trailhead facility at Dug Gap.

ROS class settings are not limiting factors to trail and facility development.

7. SUMMARY

There is an opportunity to expand the Hurricane Creek Trailhead to accommodate 2-3 horse trailers.

There is an opportunity to address soil and water concerns related to dispersed camping along Stover Creek and related to the user-created trail.

There may be an opportunity to improve access to the Pinhoti Trail at Dug Gap through partnerships with the Georgia Pinhoti Trail Association, SORBA, the City of Dalton, and Whitfield County.

Appendix A

OPPORTUNITY AREA MAPS