Winter Road Closures in the Chattahoochee National Forest

Forest Service officials of the Chattahoochee National Forest are planning to close some roads on the Conasauga Ranger District this winter. The closures will begin on January 3, 2011 and last until mid-March. As a result, the Grassy Mountain, Lake Conasauga, Betty Gap, and Three Forks areas will be inaccessible by vehicle.

The roads that will be closed are West Cowpen Road (FS 17) at the intersection with Mill Creek Road (FS 630); Potato Patch Road (FS 68) at Potato Patch Mountain; and Three Forks Road (FS 64) at Potato Patch Mountain and Jacks River Fields Campground.

District Ranger Michele Jones explained, “The constant freezing and thawing of the roads at these high elevations causes the roadbeds to become soft, resulting in rutting and significant damage to the roads from vehicle traffic. These roads are also a public safety hazard in the winter because they become extremely dangerous when covered with ice and snow. These closures are needed to protect resources and public safety.”

The road closures will impact trailheads leading into the Cohutta Wilderness Area. You can click here for a map of the impacted area.

You may also want to note that the Glassy Mountain Road/Forest Service Road 11 in Rabun County will be closed to thru traffic during the week thru 30 March 2011. This action is due to a daylighting and hazard tree removal project. Further information can be obtained by calling the Chattooga River Ranger District Office at 706-754-6221


Jeff
HikingintheSmokys.com