Sassafras Knob - Drive & Trail Guide, W4T/SU-061

Duration: 2:15, 60 miles
Google Maps: http://goo.gl/maps/dBri8 (Caution. The first part of route, before the Conasauga “T” is inaccurate. It is just a straight 5.9 mile drive from the trailhead to the T.)
Seasonal/Limited Access: Lots of dirt road. Unknown about gates.
Directions: (Caution. Google Maps has a weird obsession with USFS-78/78G, which is a jeep trail intersecting Old CCC Camp Rd at 34.815539, -84.666.)
- Head away from the gate 2.5 miles
- Pass Bald Mtn Trailhead and group camping area and go straight 3.4
- R at Conasaugua “T” (34.84158, -84.5944) and go 3.2
- Hairpin L on FS-90 / Wilderness Trail / Wilderness Rd and go 1.5
- Bear L on Gates Chapel Rd and go 5.4
- L on GA-52 and go 5.1
- Ellijay downtown roundabout, stay on GA-52 and go 1.0
- R to cross bridge and go 0.1
- L on GA-515 / US-76 E and go 13.8
- L on GA-5 at Blue Ridge McDonalds and go 10.2
- See “Ducktown to trailhead (below)”
Food
- McDonalds in Blue Ridge

Duration: 2:10, 112 miles
Google Maps URL from Atlanta (33.917, -84.3378): http://goo.gl/maps/97JgH
Seasonal/Limited Access: Lots of dirt road. Unknown about gates.
Directions:
- I-285 to I-75 to I-575
- Drive 72 miles N on I-575/GA-5 to Blue Ridge, GA
- L on GA-5 at Blue Ridge McDonalds and go 10.2
- See “Ducktown to trailhead (below)”
Food
- Last McDonalds: Blue Ridge, GA
- Penultimate McDonalds:
- Dinner

Caution: If Google Maps sends you on Campbell Cove Creek Rd, it is sending you onto two minor ruts across a field, which quickly develop erosion gullies so severe that you cannot get a passenger sedan through. I think you’d need pretty serious 4WD to make it through that route.
Caution: Kimsey Mtn Hwy is barely drivable in a passenger sedan. Road is eroded around big rocks, with some big erosion gullies.
L on GA-60/TN-68 at the T. Go 8 miles
At Vics Auto Parts, sharp L onto ironically named Kimsey Mtn Hwy (dirt road) and go 5.4
Road turns sharp L and the gate is on the inside of the turn. Parking space for 2 vehicles.

Duration: 2:10, 112 miles
Google Maps URL from Ashford Dunwoody Rd and I-285 at 33.917, -84.3378: http://goo.gl/maps/XWUeE
Seasonal/Limited Access: Lots of dirt road. Unknown about gates.
Directions:
- Do NOT let Google route you onto Campbell Cove Creek Rd (4WD required)
- Head E on Kimsey Mtn Hwy (back the way you drove in) and go 5.4
- R on TN-68 and go 8
- R on GA-5 and go 10.1
- R on GA-515 / GA-575 at Blue Ridge McDonalds and go 72.4
- I-75 S to I-285 E

Duration: 1.1 miles, 45 minutes
Navigation
- Gated dirt road (FS-68A) leaves FS-68 (Kimsey Mtn Hwy) on south side of FS-68 (inside of turn).
- Follow gated road SE about 220’; then NE about 0.4 miles.
- Road/trail turns sharply R and heads SW 0.5 miles to ridge.
- Road/trail turns L and goes about 400’ to high point.
Trailhead altitude: about 2960’
Summit altitude: 3322’ (climbs about 360’)
GPS tracks/waypoints:
- Trailhead: 35.09727, -84.41943
- Summit: 35.0941, -84.42
Repeaters:
- 146.925- (Cleveland Amateur Radio Club, tone 114.8)
- 146.610- (Chattanooga, tone 107.2)
- Call N4AOW on simplex 146.52

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