Atlanta: James E. Edmonds Trail

-Mapped by Marcus Woolf

Trail Facts

• Distance: 9.2

Waypoints

JEL001

Location: 34.9072532653809, -83.4120101928711

From NE side of lot, enter woodchip trail and pass stone picnic tables. In 100 ft., R @ Y onto orangeblazed James E. Edmonds Backcountry Trail; fern beds line the path

JEL002

Location: 34.910831451416, -83.416374206543

Hunter-orange angel fire wildflowers bloom along trail

JEL003

Location: 34.9131278991699, -83.4154434204102

R @ Y to begin loop; in .1 mi. pass Fern Cove campsite in a lush pocket of hemlock and rhododendron (permit required)

JEL004

Location: 34.9176712036133, -83.4095306396484

Cross Old Germany Rd.; head downhill and curve S along Taylor Creek

JEL005

Location: 34.9195327758789, -83.4042434692383

Emerge from rhododendron tunnel; cross Taylor Creek, then Taylor Chapel Rd. and climb up around Scrugg Knob. Hit Scrugg Gap before skirting Marsen Knob (3,205 ft.)

JEL006

Location: 34.926700592041, -83.3993759155274

Straight @ 3-way up small humpback of Gibson Gap

JEL007

Location: 34.9298934936523, -83.4022216796875

From Lookoff Mtn. (3,162 ft.), take in 80-mile vista over rolling hills and valleys of the Eastern Continental Divide, formed by the Nantahala Mtns. and Great Smokies. Then head back to WPT 6 and turn R. Overnighters: Pick one of two hilltop campsites on Lookoff Mtn. or Laurel Ridge

JEL008

Location: 34.9233665466309, -83.406982421875

Cross road, then Taylor Creek; head up hillside S of Black Rock Lake

JEL009

Location: 34.919620513916, -83.4121017456055

Carefully cross slick runoff of Greasy Creek and begin 200-ft. climb up past sandbars; Creek Ridge campsite off trail to R

JEL010

Location: 34.9157867431641, -83.4151306152344

Cross N. Germany Mtn. Rd., jog L and ascend wood steps to close loop @ WPT 3; backtrack to trailhead