Hikers traversing this area’s trails can almost not choose a bad one. However, some paths do offer more diversity and interest.
Take the Jones Gap to White Rock Trail off Gold Mine Road, which is off Highlands Road/U.S. 64. While it is a bit of a jaunt to get to the actual trailhead – about 30 minutes’ drive on first a paved road and then a well-maintained gravel road, after turning onto Gold Mine – the trek is well worth it.
Officially part of the Bartram Trail, the Jones Gap to White Rock Trail offers not only varied scenery, from a massive, very old apple tree in an open field at the start of the hike to rhododendron “tunnels” to smooth rocky balds, but also the idyllic Tessentee Valley to the southeast.
This valley is actually nestled between Scaly Mountain and Franklin. Yet, “as the crow flies” it is just below the ridge of White Rock Mountain, which is to the southeast of Cullasaja Gorge.
Besides the aforementioned attributes, the trail is also replete with native flora and fauna from spring to fall. Making a show in the spring months are wildflowers such as bloodroot, Robin’s plantain, and violets, while in early summer the dense groves of rhododendron and mountain laurel are in full splendor. And, all-year-round are brilliantly green bunches of moss and interesting textured lichen.
The actual White Rock precipice is a little over two miles from the Jones Gap trailhead and parking area. The hike is moderate – no extreme climbs or descents. Hikers are primarily hiking along a ridge, albeit a densely forested one at times.
Caution is suggested when getting to the area at the top of White Rock, where the rocks are exposed and can be slick in spots. Venture out just far enough to take in the valley below, the bald boulders all around, and the layers of Nantahala Forest and North Georgia mountains in the distance.
Just going out to White Rock and back to the parking area is an exceptional hike, about 4.5 miles round-trip, with plenty to see. For well-heeled hikers wanting to view two unusual sites, plus enjoy a stellar view from Wolf Rock, they can hike another 2.5 miles before turning around. This results in almost a 10-mile hike day, but plenty of rest and reflection spots are along the path, including a great picnic stop at Wolf Rock, complete with natural boulder benches.
Or, some hikers first park one vehicle at the Jones Gap trailhead and another vehicle at the Hickory Knoll Road trailhead. Belleview Road off Highlands Road/U.S. 64 near Franklin becomes Clarks Chapel Road becomes Hickory Knoll Road. There is a Bartram Trail parking area across the street from where the Hickory Knoll trailhead starts. This option, as well, is about 10 miles; the difference is that it is a straight shot instead of an out and back.
As alluded to in the article’s title, the reason it behooves hikers to hoof it a little farther past White Rock is that a very distinct trail-marker tree exists along the path. These trees were bent by Cherokee people in specific directions as seedlings and then staked or weighted down so that they would grow in unusual shapes. Trail-marker trees were Native Indian road signs, denoting direction, water sources, danger, hunting grounds, etc.
Finally, the most mysterious attraction on the trail is that of an old bus. “A Hiker’s Guide to the Bartram National Recreation Trail in Georgia and North Carolina” author Brent Martin surmises that the bus may have housed migrants (most likely in the mid-1900s) who worked in a nearby apple orchard, which is now overgrown.
How to get to Jones Gap Trailhead:
Coming from Highlands, take a left onto Gold Mine Road, and then turn left again in less than a mile onto Dendy Orchard Road. After driving a little over two miles on pavement and then gravel, look for a Bartram Trail Access sign to the right and turn there. Now the fun part. Drive another two miles to the trailhead. While that does not seem like far, the drive up to the top of the mountain and the parking area is fairly slow going. The road, as mentioned earlier, is well-maintained, but a few spots are somewhat steep. Two-wheel and all-wheel-drive vehicles might be fine, but taking a four-wheel drive vehicle would provide assurance that you will not have any issues.
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