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Rocks, roots, and rattlers with plenty of ups and downs.


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Map Key

16.2

Miles

26.0

KM

Singletrack

1,801' 549 m

High

1,143' 348 m

Low

2,472' 753 m

Up

2,126' 648 m

Down

5%

Avg Grade (3°)

27%

Max Grade (15°)

Dogs Unknown

E-Bikes Unknown

Description

This is the section of the long-distance, multiuse Pinhoti trail, best known from the Snake Creek Gap Time Trails held on the first Saturday of Jan, Feb, and March each year. This is a truly epic trail, as in IMBA-Epic. Within this section one goes over 4 mountains, up and down long ridgelines, and over absolutely countless roots and rocks, almost all on singletrack.

Beginning at the large trailhead parking lot with facilities at Ga Hwy 136, the trail immediately ascends Mill Creek Mt. and follows the ridgeline, criss-crossing the ridge later on until a right curve and fast non-technical descent down the mountain to Swamp Creek which the trail then crosses a few times. After this is a short section of doubletrack uphill, then a sharp left back onto singletrack and along the ridgeline of Middle Mt and eventually a subtle peak and another sharp right.

Next comes a technical, rocky descent to the Hurricane Mt ridgeline. After the descent smooths out, there is a small sidetrail to Stover Creek, part of a favorite local loop, see the map for a full description of that loop. The Pinhoti continues along the the Hurricane Mt ridgeline another mile over some manageable rock gardens until hitting a steep descent into a saddle between Hurricane and Rocky Face (aka Dug) Mts, known as England Springs.

At the low point, there's another side trail to the west that goes to Hurricane Creek where there is another access point. The Pinhoti continues north up the mountain, literally up "the wall", a very steep and technical rocky section. Once back on the ridgeline, from here to the end is almost one continuous rock garden as well as some gradual climbingto the highest point on the trail. There is an overlook at Dug Gap. At other locations along the various ridge lines there are occasional peekaboo views, mostly of whichever ridge is next door.

Overall this section of trail drains very well, like almost all of the Pinhoti, due to the nature of the rock and soil and can be ridden even when fairly wet with little issue. As with much of the Pinhoti, this is multi use trail also frequented by hikers. It is also open to equestrians (up to the Hurricane Creek side trail), so exercise appropriate caution and courtesy.

Contacts

Shared By:

Brian Hard with improvements by Thom Cerny

Trail Ratings

  4.4 from 16 votes

#1061

Overall
  4.4 from 16 votes
5 Star
56%
4 Star
31%
3 Star
13%
2 Star
0%
1 Star
0%
Trail Rankings

#36

in Georgia

#1,061

Overall
92 Views Last Month
22,753 Since Jun 28, 2013
Difficult Difficult

0%
0%
0%
0%
88%
13%

Photos

Dug Gap Overlook a few yards from the traihead at Dug Gap Mountain Road.
Jun 29, 2013 near Dalton, GA
Civil War breastworks near the cell towers on Dug Gap.
Jun 29, 2013 near Dalton, GA
Cool curved tree on Middle Mountain
Jun 30, 2013 near Dalton, GA
Workday on Hurricane Trail and Pinhoti
Jun 30, 2013 near Dalton, GA
Turkey Blind close to entrance to singletrack from FS207A.
Jun 26, 2013 near Dalton, GA
A welcoming smooth section of trail on Dug Gap.
Jun 29, 2013 near Dalton, GA
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Weather


Current Trail Conditions

Unknown
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Check-Ins

Jul 28, 2023
David Harris
Jan 21, 2023
Ross Alcorn
trail cleared great. 32mi — 5h 06m
Jan 21, 2023
Jeff Carter
Rode out and back from the south TH. Trail was in great shape. Only one unrideable tree across the trail. It was gone on the return trip. 32mi
Dec 10, 2022
Thom Cerny
Wet conditions and lots of leafs make the climbs especially tough. Had to walk the bike a few times when it got more technical.
Dec 28, 2021
Jello DeMarco
It was awesome to see what an EPIC trail consisted of. As already stated, lots of roots and rocks throughout. I bailed midway through, but loved it!
Feb 21, 2021
Ross Alcorn
did full out and back from dug gap. trail is cleared great 32mi — 7h 30m
Apr 26, 2020
sarahoh
Dec 21, 2019
Amy White
Rode both ways. I think North to South is more fun. 30mi — 5h 00m
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