Georgia

Union County

Old Growth Forest Trail

Unofficial trail passing the thickest tree in the Chattahoochee National Forest

The trail is actually just a series of old roadbeds. It begins behind the gate of an old road on the left side of Cooper Creek Road, about 0.4 mile after the junction between Cooper Creek Road and Grady Grizzle Road. A mile into the hike the trail passes the thickest tree in the Chattahoochee National Forest, a tuliptree with a circumference of 18'3". The trail continues to the Cooper Creek Scenic Area.

Visitors should call Camp Frank D. Merrill in Dahlonega (706-864-3367) to check the schedule of the Army's activity in the area before planning the trip, as regular training exercises are conducted there that would undoubtedly disturb the peace of the hike.

Approximately .2 miles into the hike, the actual trail branches from the road up a hill to the left. The fork is about 50-60 yards before the road crosses the creek. This might save a few people some wet feet...

Length: 1.1 miles

Difficulty: 3