Georgia > Northeast > Rabun County > Clayton

Hiking Guides to 82 U.S. Forest Service trails in the Chattahoochee and Oconee National Forests can be found in the Hiking Trails Category here on the Brown’s Guides site. Each hike contains a brief introduction to the hike and directions to the trailhead from the nearest city, along with a map.

In some cases, depending on where the hike is, savvy Google map users can ++ the map and not only locate the trailhead, but find the hiking trail itself. See the Three Forks Trail for an example of this. If you will ++ the map and click on the “Terrain” view, you can find the hiking trail to Three Forks and appreciate the topographical features of this part of Georgia that make this such an unusual and gratifying hike .

Some of the 82 Forest Service hikes have links to posts in the Georgia Hiking blog that provide more detail on a particular hike and a more detailed map. See the Rabun Bald hike, and the aforementioned Three Forks hike for examples.

Brown’s Guides would like to hear from you about your experiences on these hikes and other Georgia hiking trails that may not yet be included on the site. We’ll publish your comments, photos and maps; share them with others; and credit you with the contribution.

Find organically grown food,  farmers markets and restaurants that use organically grown food using the Local Food Guide.

The Local Food Guide 2009-2010, produced by the Georgia Organics and edited by Suzanne Welander is the state’s most complete guide to organic farms, farmers markets and restaurants that have involvement with organically grown food.

The organic farms and farmers markets and restaurants are organized geographically by county into five regions – Mountain, Atlanta Metro, Piedmont, East Coastal Plain and West Coastal Plain. So, using the guide you can organize a tour close to home or around a location to which you are traveling.

Here for example is a typical Farm listing:
Holt Heritage Farm and Supply, LLC
1235 Euharlee Road, Euharlee, GA 30145
Chaz & Georgia Holt, 770.386.8305
chaz@holtfarmsupply.com
www.holtfarmsupply.com
We offer: over 40 herb/vegetable/fruit crops throughout the year; children’s summer farm camps and school field trips on our farm; and a farm store selling exclusively organic farming supplies, plants, and sustainable living supplies.

The farmers’ markets in the Guide are all producer markets where you can buy fresh produce, meats, and dairy directly from the farmer who grew the food. The Guide does not include markets that predominately feature brokers or resellers, or markets that do not feature local producers selling locally grown food products.

Here is a typical Farmers Market Listing
Riverside Farmers Market
Riverside Park, Roswell, GA 30050
Louise Estabrook, 404.613.7670
laesta@uga.edu
The Riverside Farmers Market brings together vendors and shoppers in a celebration of farming and wholesome Georgia-grown produce. Enjoy events such as music, cook’s tours, chili cook-offs, watermelon eating contests, and a harvest festival! Open Saturdays 8am until noon, late May through October.

RESTAURANTS
All restaurants in the Guide are business level members of Georgia Organics. Some of the listed restaurants are committed to featuring fresh, locally produced food on their menus every day, year-round. Others purchase locally produced food occasionally. Georgia Organics urges you to contact the restaurants directly to find out more about their commitment
to feature sustainable and local food.

Here is a typical Restaurant Listing
Beechwood Inn
220 Beechwood Drive P.O. Box 429
Clayton, GA 30525
David G. Darugh, 706.782.5485
david-gayle@beechwoodinn.ws
www.beechwoodinn.ws
Most of our seasonal foods are from local and sustainable farms, orchards, and gardens, and much of it is organic and natural. Most of our dinner entrée meats are natural (organic, no hormones, no antibiotics, no feed lots). We are proud of our local suppliers.

Links

• Download a 88-page copy of Georgia Organics Local Food Guide.
• Read more about Georgia Organics.

Rafting the Chattahoochee is the specialty of Wildwood Outfitters located in Cleveland, 13 miles south of Helen. Four different trips are available.

We have offered fun family outings on the Chattahoochee River since 1972. Our knowledgeable staff can help you select a trip that is right for you. Whether you require a leisure float down the river in a raft while you get some sun, or a workout running the rapids. We can make your stay in the North Georgia Mountains a trip to remember.

Trips Available
CHATTAHOOCHEE SECTION I  (Hwy 17 to Hwy 255 Bridge)
Enjoy a trip through shallow water and mountain laurel at upper portion of the Chattahoochee River. This trip runs only in the early morning.

CHATTAHOOCHEE SECTION II (Hwy 255 Bridge to Hwy 115 Bridge)
Enjoy mostly shoals and Smith Island Rapid. This trip is great for all ages and offers a little class II whitewater. Trips run morning and afternoon.

CHATTAHOOCHEE SECTION III (Hwy 115 Bridge to Hwy 384 Takeout)
Lots of shoals and three Class II rapids. This section is a workout but lots of fun. See wildlife and beautiful scenery. Trips run morning and afternoon.

SOQUE RIVER TO TAKE-OUT (Hwy 105 Bridge to Hwy 384 Takeout)
The perfect leisure trip. Float along the Soque River and fish or just catch some rays. Our shortest and most relaxing trip. Trips run morning and afternoon.

We also offer group rates and multi-day trips, perfect for

• Church Youth Groups
• Family Reunions
• Birthdays

We are located on Hwy 384 thirteen miles south of beautiful Alpine Helen.

Links:

• Read more about Wildwood Outfitters.

Unicoi Outfitters has enhanced its instructional program for beginning fly fishers.

Unicoi Outfitters can provide you with an experienced and friendly fly fishing guide for our own Nacoochee Bend trophy trout section of the Chattahoochee, other trophy trout streams, the public trophy section of Dukes Creek at Smithgall Woods, and more public streams in Georgia and North Carolina. All guides provided by Unicoi Outfitters have a U.S. Forest Service permit and are fully insured.

Unicoi Outfitters and River Through Atlanta Guide Service have joined the Atlanta Fly Fishing School to enhance their offerings for beginning fly fishers. These three are offering a complete fly fishing education and river fishing package. The package will include a 5.5 hour fly fishing course to be followed by a one-half day guided fishing trip on either the lower Chattahoochee River or the trophy trout fishery at Nacoochee Bend near Helen. These packages are available at a special affordable rate perfect for introducing someone to the sport.

Links

• Read more about Unicoi Outfitters

Wildwater Limited offers a variety of raft tours of the Chattooga River that will appeal to a beginning or experienced rafters.

The Chattooga Wild & Scenic River begins at the base of Whitesides Mountain in North Carolina and flows in a southwesterly direction to form the border between South Carolina and Georgia. One of the wildest and most beautiful whitewater rivers in the country, the Chattooga was the first river in the Southeast to be designated “Wild & Scenic” by Congress and was used as a location for the movie Deliverance. The Sumter and Chattahoochee National Forests will surround you while on this wilderness adventure river.

As a free flowing river, water levels on the Chattooga vary with the amount of rainfall each season.  The highest water levels and most exciting trips are usually in the Spring and early Summer.  By late Summer and Fall, the water level is usually lower and trips are more relaxed and slower paced.

• Chattooga Mini Enjoy a 4-5 hour sample of the Chattooga. Ideal family vacation, first-time rafters, kids and seniors. Fully Guided. Minimum age 8 years.
• Chatooga Section II Section II of the Chattooga River offers 7 miles of scenic wilderness with several fun Class I and II rapids. This section serves as a great introduction to the Chattooga River and canoeing. Fully Guided. Minimum age 10 years if paddling, 6 years if riding with an adult.
• Chattooga Section III Used as the location for the film Deliverance, the Chattooga’s spectacular scenery and exciting whitewater make this Wildwater’s most popular trip. Section III is ideally suited for beginner to intermediate rafters. Fully Guided. Minimum age 10 years.
• Chattooga Section IV Sheer cliffs rise and waterfalls drop to the river’s edge as you weave your way through house-sized boulders and challenging whitewater. Section IV is suggested for those with previous whitewater experience and who are in good physical condition. Fully Guided. Minimum age 13.
• Chattooga Overnighter This is a trip not to be forgotten. For two full days and one extraordinary evening, you can enjoy wilderness rafting on Section III and Section IV, two lunches, breakfast, a grilled steak dinner, and an overnight campout. Fully Guided. Minimum age 13.

Other trips and services, including a multi-day adventure, canoe and kayak clinics, rope challenge and shuttle service are available.

Links

• Read more about Wildwater Ltd.

Northeast Georgia’s Broad River offers miles of canoeing for beginning and intermediate canoeists along with some “cheap thrills,” that will please any level of paddler.

Experience the beauty of Northeast Georgia’s Broad River. It’s “wild” or “mild” and always scenic. Canoes or kayaks are the best way to float and enjoy the Broad River. The Broad River Outpost has something for everyone with two sections of river, a variety of rental kayaks and canoes, and camping for groups or individuals.

Located in northeast Georgia, 23 miles from Athens on GA Hwy 281, the scenic Broad River has 70 miles of continuous navigable water. Most of this free flowing river is mild with no rapids.  One section has exciting but easy Class II rapids, suitable for beginners yet fun for the more advanced paddler.

The Broad has the “Waterfall,”  an avoidable 5-foot drop that is a definite “cheap thrill.”  The 6.5 mile section -The Broad- contains 7 shoals, each with individual ledges and sloughs.

Our two basic trips are:

• The Upper Broad - 5 miles ( 2-3 hours) or 10 miles ( 3-6 hours) of moving water
• The Lower 6.5 miles of Class II beginner whitewater ( 3-4 hours).

Times will vary depending on water levels, skill levels and attitudes.

Mild and scenic sections with beautiful views and vista’s of high bluffs, cliffs and of hardwood forest and wildflowers describe the bulk of the river.  Most are suitable for day trips or for camping trips of up to 4 days.

The river starts in the National Forest on the eastern slope of the Appalachian Mountains and ends at U.S. Corps of Engineer’s Anthony Shoals, a mile-long Class II rapid with many endangered species of flora and fauna. These federally protected areas contain historic and prehistoric sites.

Links

• The Broad River is in the Savannah River Watershed. Download a Georgia River Poster of the Savannah River Watershed
• Learn more about the Savannah River and its tributaries, including the Broad River.

One-hour guided trail rides meander for 3.5 scenic miles through valley and mountain scenery and include 1.5 miles along the Chattahoochee River.

Located in the beautiful North Georgia Mountains, Chattahoochee Stables can make your visit to Helen a unique and most memorable one. The stables offer guided trail rides with horses that are in training year round to make your riding experience one to remember. Little ones (children under five) are accommodated by letting them ride with an adult in your party.

One-hour guided trail rides meander for 3.5 scenic miles through valley and mountain scenery and include 1.5 miles along the Chattahoochee River. During summer operation, the rides go right through the “Hooch” making the trail a “river ride.”  Trips go out every hour on the hour. Although reservations are not required, they are recommended.

This driving tour over Patterson Gap in the Northeast Georgia Mountains of Rabun County takes visitors through scenic Moon Valley.

The road to Patterson Gap turns left off of Betty Creek Road about 3.5 miles from US 441 and crosses a bridge. As one climbs a steep grade, off to the left is Patterson Creek Falls. FS 32 passes through Moon Valley. After entering US Forest Service land, the road is steep but scenic through great coves of tulip poplar, which have come in after the death of the chestnut because of a blight in the 1930s and following logging in the early 1990s. Crossing Patterson Gap, one circles a cove hardwood forest, then descends along a pitch pine ridge. Along the road banks grows the rare sweetfern. This road eventually joins Persimmon Road, which dead-ends at US 76.

See “Patterson Gap” on the Tour Map for Coweeta Creek & Betty Creek Valleys.

Students and faculty from SEEDS, the Ecology Society of America’s Strategies for Ecology Educataion, Development and Sustainability, program tour the watershed surrounding the Coweeta Hydrologic Laboratory in Rabun County in Northeast Georgia.

The Coweeta Hydrologic Laboratory, site of a long-term ecological research program, is studying several watersheds for the effects of logging and other forest-management practices on water yields and quality. Roadside signs indicate the experimental areas and explain the experiments. it is advisable to stop at the office to obtain a map of the area before beginning any exploration. The 14-mile driving tour past the station continues as a loop to US 64 via the Standing Indian Campground and takes approximately 1 hour.

DIRECTIONS: From Dillard, go north on US 441 4.3 miles to Coweeta Hydrologic Laboratory sign. Turn left and follow signs 2.9 miles to the parking lot.

Barker’s Creek Mill, on the Hambidge Center property, has been restored several times.  It is usually open on Fridays and Saturdays for grinding grains brought by local residents.

The Hambidge Center is the creation of Mary Hambidge, a feminist, environmentalist and preserver of Mountain culture, who was 50 years ahead of her time. She helped her husband, Jay Hambidge, codify his ideas pertaining to classical-art design principles, which they labeled Dynamic Symmetry. Their work gained international recognition. (more…)