Outdoor Adventure Club South - Chattanooga

SNORKELING on the Conasauga River - Picnic and Hike to Jack's River Falls

Sep '09 13 Sun 11:00 AM

Location: No location was chosen

Estimated attendance: 5 people attended.
5.005 (5 ratings)
Price: $22.00 per person
refund policy

Hi all you outdoor adventurers! Are you looking for a way to get away from the heat? If so, let's head up to the North Georgia Mountains, to the Conasauga River and do some snorkeling. That's right, snorkeling in the clear, crisp pools of this beautiful river. The snorkeling pools are located near the Cohutta Wilderness Area, one of the most scenic and beautiful areas in North Georgia. Biologist, Jim Herrig, from the Ocoee Whitewater Center will join us for snorkeling fun with an overview of the aquatic diversity in this beautiful river. We'll be snorkeling in 1/4 mile stretch of the river where over 45 species of fish have been documented. As the gentle currents carry us around the pools we may see some of these fish native to this area and then we will report our findings to Jim. This could help determine the health of our rivers. Jim will provide all equipment including wetsuits, masks, snorkels, and a viewing box. We'll also be acquainted with snorkeling and help with wetsuit if needed. A private changing area will be provided.

All this snorkeling should help us work up quite an appetite. We'll plan for a picnic right after, eating on the banks of the river. Everyone can also bring something to share, chips and dip, great cookies, chocolate etc.

After picnicking we'll hit the Beech Bottom Trail, a short distance away for an easy 3 mile hike to the beautiful Jack's River Waterfalls. Along the way all you nature lovers will get to do a little migratory birding and enjoy the season's wildflowers. Bring your camera!

After splashing around in the pools of the waterfalls, we'll hit the Jack's River Trail and head back to where we started, ending a great day of snorkeling, picnicking and hiking in the Beautiful North Georgia mountains.

What to bring: plenty of water for the day, picnic lunch with something to share. wear your swimsuit, towel, water sandals with heel straps, lifejacket if needed. Sunscreen, change of clothes, lite hiking shoes and socks.

If bringing children under 12 please provide your own wetsuit and lifejacket. They are still charged full price, sorry.

Drive time is approximately 2 hours from Chattanooga. Directions will be posted later.

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Talk about this Meetup

Posted Sep 12, 2009 8:36 PM

Alisan

If you miss us, follow Ladd Springs Rd until it splits; bear right up a gravel road and follow it roughly another 4.5 miles. You'll see a sign that says "pavement ends" -- start looking for Conasauga Trail 61 on your right. It will sneak up on you; the turn is a hairpin slightly downhill. If you come to some campsights on your right while on Ladd Springs you've missed it. Just FYI: there is no cell phone service up there. See you in the A.M.!
Posted Sep 12, 2009 8:32 PM

Alisan

Hi everyone, Sorry I have been incommunicado. I've been out of town and returned to a family crisis. Dante's email advice is solid: let's meet at the highway 411/313 (Ladd Springs Rd.) intersection at 10:30am. There is a derelict gas station on one side directly across from a Marathon Favorite Market. The address at the Favorite Market is 1339 Highway 411 Old Fort TN. I drive a grayish green Toyota Corolla and Gail from Atl. is in a Brown SUV.
Posted Sep 11, 2009 4:46 PM

Gregg Long

HI! I'm very familiar with this trail having been there many times. It is an 11 mile hike with 22 crossings, some hip deep. If you'd like to know more about it email me at [masked]. I also have directions to the Jacks River on my website at http://www.solon.long.net/d... - Have Fun!
Posted Sep 11, 2009 11:41 AM

Dante

Organizer

Please check your email for rendezvous point and directions.
Posted Sep 10, 2009 8:32 AM

Ocean

Hi Yolanda, I'm looking for the same info. Please let me know in case Alisan/other provides you some details. Thanks
Posted Sep 9, 2009 5:17 PM

Former Member

Alisan, when will we have directions or the exact location we are going to meet?
Posted Sep 4, 2009 10:52 PM

John Sampson

Anyone want to carpool?

Who attended?

5 attendees
- Alisan
  
  “ I had a wonderful day with the Chattanooga group and our friends from The Atlanta group. Many thanks to Gail for her fantastic efforts in Atlanta, and to Dante for picking up my slack when I was out of communication. We had perfect weather, wonderful water conditions for snorkeling and a great hike down to the Jacks River Falls from the Beach Bottom Trail head, truly beautiful in its own right and better still because of the people who were there. Gail & Co. send their greetings and thanks; we intend to do this trip again in mid May 2010 when the fish are in their full spawning colors. ”
- Ocean
  
  “ both events (yeah, there were two in the same package) were great!!!!! some ppl were a bit sceptical about how "violent" it might be to do the hiking in the afternoon, knowing that we left the swimming hole after 2 p.m. but by the end of the day, special after reaching the waterfalls....you couls see the delight in everyone's faces!!! A huge thanks to Allison & Gail! ”
- John Sampson
  
  “ If you love somthing different then you need to look for this trip in May. Ever think about being the little bell diver in the bottom of the fish tank? The diversity of the fish in this streatch of the river almost rivals salt water. the hike to Jack falls was awsome. 2 great swimming pools. It was very invigerating. we were thinking we could double the size of the group and half could hike the first part of the day and the other half could hike the second part of the day. We want to go back in the spring when the fish have their disco suits on ready for spawn. ”
- Liza O'Connor
  
  “ AMAZING!!! I never thought about snorkeling in a river, but the clear view and setting was amazing. The picnic was great too. The people were so generous and easy talk to - great company! The hike was nice and the waterfall was well worth the trip. ”
- Melissa