National Trails Day - Panther Creek Trail via Three Forks Trailhead

June 6th is National Trails Day — and what better way to celebrate than spending a day volunteering in the Cohuttas?

Join the Conasauga District Trail Volunteers on Saturday, June 6 (9:00 am – 4:00 pm) as we return to the Panther Creek Trail for the first time in quite a while. We’ve heard there are several downed trees uphill from the falls, and it’s time to give this beautiful stretch of trail some much-needed attention.

We’ll meet at the Three Forks Trailhead at 9:00 am, then hike up East Cowpen Trail and onto Panther Creek Trail, where we’ll tackle blowdowns, overgrowth, and encroaching limbs using cross-cut saws, hand saws, and loppers.

June in the Cohuttas is hard to beat — deep green canopy, warm mountain air, rushing creeks, and long daylight hours. Expect up to 7 miles of moderate hiking, meaningful hands-on work, and the satisfaction of helping reopen a trail that hasn’t seen much love lately.

No experience needed — just sturdy boots, gloves, and a love for the woods.
👉 RSVP or learn more via Team Conasauga on Facebook

For questions, carpool/caravan coordination, or to RSVP directly, contact Robert Edmondson at RAEhiker@gmail.com. You can also RSVP through Meetup so we can plan accordingly.

What to Bring:
• Enough food and water for the day, including a light lunch and a backpack to carry your supplies/food
• Work gloves and a safety whistle
• Sturdy boots and appropriate clothing layers are required for the task at hand (long pants are required; long-sleeve shirts are recommended, given the potential for thorns or other natural hazards)
• Food, snacks, or soft drinks to share with the group for our post-work tailgate back at the trailhead parking area – and a lawn chair if you would like, for relaxing!

Other trail-clearing tools & safety gear, such as hard hats & protective eyewear, will be
provided.

Directions
From Chatsworth:

1. From the Hardee’s on Highway 411, travel north on Hwy 411 approximately 3 miles to Eton, GA.
2. Turn right at the traffic light onto CCC Road.
3. Continue about 10.3 miles on CCC Road (which becomes gravel Forest Road 18).
4. Turn left onto Forest Road 68 (follow signs to Lake Conasauga).
5. Drive about 5.7 miles to the T-intersection with Forest Road 64 and turn right on FS 64.
6. Drive about 4.4 miles and turn left at the sharp curve into the Three Forks Trailhead.

From Ellijay:

1. From the square in Ellijay, take Hwy 52 west for approximately 5 miles, then turn right onto Gates Chapel Road.
2. Drive about 5.7 miles until pavement ends, then turn right onto Forest Road 90.
3. At the stop sign, turn right onto Forest Road 68.
4. Drive about 3.3 miles to the T-intersection with Forest Road 64 and turn right on FS 64.
5. Drive about 4.4 miles and turn left at the sharp curve into the Three Forks Trailhead.

Please note that CDTV events are family-friendly, alcohol- and drug-free.

Who Can Tell Me More?
If you would like more information about these events or are not currently on our mailing list, please get in touch with Robert Edmondson at the email above, sign up on Meetup www.meetup.com/Cohutta-Wilderness-Trail-Volunteers, follow us on Facebook at
www.facebook.com/teamconasauga, or look us up on the Chattahoochee National Forest website at www.fs.usda.gov/co