Atlanta: James E. Edmonds Trail
Head to the dark hills of Black Rock Mountain State Park for a 6.3-mile loop along soothing mountain streams to lookouts with classic Appalachian views.
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-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
