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Eyes on Wildlife Trail
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Length: 1.3 miles (2.02K)
Rating: Easy
Use: Moderate
Hiking Time: About one hour for the designated loop.
Restrictions: No motorized vehicles allowed. Mountain bicycles
use is permitted on the temporary logging road, which forms the ridge side
of the loop trail. Trail designed for day hikers, not recommended for
horses.
This trail is located on general forestlands near Cooper Creek
Campground. It traverses a variety of wildlife habitats, which have
evolved through a combination of both human (timber management) and
natural (fire) actions on the land. Near the trailhead, Tom Jones Branch
is an attractive mountain stream; the surrounding ridges are heavily
forested and variety of plant and animal species exist within the area.
Old logging roads provide off-trail opportunities for additional
exploration in addition to the designated visitor trail. The nearby Cooper
Creek Scenic Area is also an attraction for those seeking backcountry tailless
opportunities.
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The trailhead is located
one-half mile south of Cooper Creek Campground on Forest Service Road 236.
The trail begins on the east side of the Scenic area parking lot just past
the Cooper Creek Bridge. A wooden bridge crosses Tom Jones leading
directly to a beautifully engraved marble monument marking the trailhead.
The trail begins to the left of the marble monument and
continues south as a gradual climb to a temporary forest-looking road near
the ridge top. Turn right and continue on road. Within 0.1 mile is a
return trail of desired to go back to trailhead. Continuing on road the
trail passes through a variety of habitats and at cleared wildlife opening
trail again turns right descending on well-graded trail returning to
monument. |
Directions from Blue Ridge, Georgia:
From the intersection of GA highway 515 and GA highway 5 in Blue Ridge,
follow GA highway 515 east (toward Blairsville) approximately 4.5 miles to
traffic light and junction with GA highway 60. Turn right on GA highway
60. Go south on GA highway 60 17.7 miles to Forest Service Road #4 (Cooper
Creek turnoff) on left. Travel on Forest Service Road #4, 4.9 miles to the
Cooper Creek Campground turnoff (Forest Service Road 236). Continue less
than one-half mile to parking area across bridge over Cooper Creek.
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Gatlinburg,
Pigeon Forge Cabin Rentals
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