Smithgall Woods Conservation Area Trail Map 61 Tsalaki Trail Helen, GA 30545 Park: 706-878-3087 Emergency: 706-219-3199 Lodge Reservations: 1-800-318-5248 www.gastateparks.org LEGEND 356 Smith Creek Hiking Trails Ash Creek Trail Cathy Ellis Trail Dover Trail Dukes Creek Falls Access Trail Dukes Hollow Connector Trail Lauel Ridge Trail Martin's Mine Trail USFS Dukes Creek Trail Visitor Center Loop Trail Wetland Loop Trail Symbols Paved Road Gravel/Unpaved Road Stream Forest Management Road Firebreak Visitor Center Picnic Shelter Trail Shelter Observation Area Observation Tower Campsite Wildlife Opening Handicapped Hunting Radio Tower Structures Cemetery Church John's Beehives Pheasant Branch Allison Ridge Dukes Creek Falls 2069 Park Boundary Dover Creek DTorvaeirl Park Boundary 2440 2368 Pheasant Branch Gap Park Boundary Little Hickorynut Mountain 2681 348 Richard Russell Scenic Highway 1722 Park Boundary SW 75 ALT Polly Knob Horton Creek Sim's Road Park Boundary 1560 VISITOR CENTER 1895 Allison Private Property Tsalaki Trail Laurel Ridge 1841 Trail Park Boundary 1860 1440 CITY OF HELEN Chattahoochee River Tower Road Wetland Loop Trail 2040 1760 Park Boundary Shackelford Road Ridge Road Abernathy Private Road Property 2142 SW Ash Mtn. Private Property Private Property Ash Creek 1640 Ash Creek Trail CRBaiedmagrpe Ash Creek Trail CBorviedrgeed Firebreak Dukes Creek Martin's Mine Trail Otali Road 1758 1400 Cathy Ellis Trail Park Boundary 1640 Dukes Creek Black Branch Park Boundary 75 Long Hungry Branch 1720 17 Indian Mound Chattahoohee River 75 1360 Asbestos Road 1729 75 ALT Thurmond 2042 Park Boundary Creek 1789 Private Property Alabama Branch Pri. Tsalaki Trail Park Boundary Fish Camp 1422 1600 Joe Franklin Road Park Boundary Park Boundary 384 Cathey Creek Park Boundary 0 0.4 1 mile 1 inch equals 0.4 miles (1/4" = 0.1 mile) Turner Creek Joe Black Road Boca Hills Road HIKING & BIKING AT SMITHGALL WOODS Our hiking trails, coupled with our road system, comprise almost 20 miles of woodland beauty available to hikers and bikers. From a gentle half-mile hike on level ground near the Visitor Center to a strenuous five-mile climb up Tower Road, there is something for every one. Hikers and bikers share our road system, and only hikers can access our trails. Dogs are welcome, but must be on a leash at all times. As a conservation area, only staff vehicles, hikers and bicyclists are allowed on our road system. All vehicles must stop at the Visitor Center parking lot and purchase a ParkPass. Annual ParkPasses are available. All guests must register at the Visitor Center and wear the free green wristband that allows access to the park. Bicycles are limited to the improved roads, and trails are for hikers only. It is permissible to ride your bike to a trailhead, park off the roadway, and access the trail on foot. When planning hikes, the mileage from the Visitor Center to the trail must be considered. Marked trails accessible to all guests are listed with the mileage from the Visitor Center. Dover Trail and the Dukes Creek Falls Access Trail are accessible to overnight guests only. There is public access to Dukes Creek Falls from the Richard Russell Scenic Highway (Hwy 348). Because hiking is limited during hunting season, visitors should call in advance to check hunt dates. In some areas, cell phones are not operable. Make sure you know the correct time and closing schedule for the site. Our Visitor Center staff can help orient you on the property and answer questions. Be sure to ask about guided tours or fishing shuttle schedules that offer transportation through the park. Please help keep Smithgall Woods in its pristine condition. Remove all litter that you might have brought with you, or perhaps, found along the way.This is "your" park. Please help us take care of it. Have a great time by planning for a safe outing. Visitor Center Loop Trail - This .3-mile trail begins at our Visitor Center, crosses a small tributary of Dukes Creek, and winds around a large pasture along Dukes Creek. Just off the trail is a planting of Florida Torreya, considered to be one of North America's most critically endangered trees. There also are a couple of adult swings and several picnic tables. DUKES CREEK LOOP TRAIL 1800 1750 1700 1650 1600 1550 0 Visitor Center Loop Trail - 0.3-Mile Loop / Average Travel Time: Half Hour Compacted Natural Soil Surface Average Grade: 2%; Maximum of 15% for 30 Feet Minimum Width: 30 Inches; Average Width: 48 Inches Average Cross-Slope: 6%; Maximum of 10% for 50 Feet Laurel Ridge Trail - Located adjacent to our Visitor Center, this interpretive trail is a moderate 1.6-mile loop that climbs to Laurel Ridge and provides a seasonal view of Mt.Yonah. Ask for a free interpretive brochure from the Visitor Center to learn more about specific points of interest along the trail. LAUREL RIDGE TRAIL 1800 1750 1700 Laurel Ridge Trail - 1.6-Miles Loop / Average Travel Time: One Hour 1650 Compacted Natural Soil Surface Average Grade 10%; Maximum of 25% for 700 Feet 1600 Minimum Width: 24 Inches; Average Width: 30 Inches 1550 Average Cross-Slope: 10%; Maximum of 15% for 100 Feet 0 1 The trails below must be hiked from the Visitor Center. Remember to include the distance from the Visitor Center in your hiking plans. Ash Creek Trail - (.6 miles from Visitor Center at the north end, 1.3 miles from south end) This rugged trail requires fording/wading Dukes Creek near the north end.The beauty of the Dukes Creek area and the large expanse of Georgia woodlands make this a noteworthy hike. In cooler weather, or after a large rain, some guests start at the covered bridge, pass our group camp, hike all the way to Dukes Creek, and simply turn around and retrace their steps to avoid fording the creAeSkH. CREEK TRAIL 1700 1650 1600 1550 1500 1450 0 1 Ash Creek Trail - 1.5 Mile One Way Newer unfinished. / Not rated for accessibility. Requires crossing/fording Dukes Creek at western terminus. Martin's Mine Trail (2.1 miles from Visitor Center) A wooden bridge across Dukes Creek begins this picturesque and historical trail.The 0.9-mile loop interprets the history of gold mining at this site. A vertical shaft of the earlier gold mining era is a focal point and provides a unique habitat for bats. A short extension from the main trail offers a view of a small, but soothing waterfall. MARTIN'S MINE TRAIL 1700 1650 1600 1550 1500 1450 0 1 Martin's Mine Trail - 0.9-Mile Loop / Average Travel Time: 1 Hour Compacted Natural Soil Surface Average Grade 10%; Maximum of 25% for 400 Feet Minimum Width: 24 Inches: Average Width: 30 Inches Average Cross-Slope: 5%; Maximum of 15% for 75 Feet Cathy Ellis Trail (2.8 miles from Visitor Center) Also called the Chunanee Falls Trail, this memorial trail is in honor of Cathy Ellis, who loved the north Georgia mountains.A plaque at the trailhead tells the historical significance of this 640-acre tract.A moderate half-mile hike (mostly downhill) leads to a beautiful waterfall on what is known as the Alabama Branch.A short wooden bridge crosses a section of a historic water ditch, part of the early gold mining history. Deeply shaded by rhododendron, the last 400 yards is alongside a noisy stretch of Dukes Creek, and is a cool retreat in warm weather. CATHY ELLIS TRAIL 1700 1650 1600 1550 1500 1450 1400 0 Cathy Ellis Trail - 0.5-Mile One-Way / Average Travel Time: Half Hour Compacted Natural Soil Surface Average Grade: 10%; Maximum of 15% for 50 Feet Minimum Width: 24 Inches; Average Width 30 Inches Average Cross-Slope: 10%; Maximum 15% for 50 feet Wetland Loop Trail (1.2 miles from Visitor Center) This easy mile loop trail passes a beaver pond and wetland area. A boardwalk and large deck provide a great spot for "birding" on the pond. Waterfowl and frogs are residents that hikers may see or hear. Our brochure "The Frogs of Smithgall Woods" makes it possible to identify frogs by their call. WETLANDS LOOP TRAIL 1700 1650 1600 1550 1500 1450 0 1 Wetalnds Loop Trail - 0.55-Mile Loop / Average Travel Time: Half Hour Compacted Natural Soil Surface Average Grade: 5%; Maximum of 15% for 150 Feet Minimum Width: 36 Inches; Average Width: 60 Inches Average Cross-Slope 2%; Maximum of 5% for 100 Feet Accessibility Information for all facilities at Smithgall Woods is available at the Visitor Center. CLIMATE DATA FOR HELEN, GEORGIA Avg. Avg. Avg. Month High Low Mean Precip. Record High Record Low Jan 49F 27F 39F 6.20 in Feb 54F 29F 42F 6.20 in Mar 63F 36F 50F 7.60 in Apr 72F 43F 58F 5.40 in May 78F 51F 65F 6.10 in Jun 83F 58F 71F 4.60 in Jul 85F 62F 74F 6.10 in Aug 84F 62F 74F 5.60 in Sep 79F 57F 68F 5.40 in Oct 71F 44F 58F 4.50 in Nov 62F 37F 50F 5.50 in Dec 53F 31F 42F 6.30 in 64F (1985) 80F (1996) 95F (1974) 91F (1986) 96F (1962) 99F (1964) 100F (1986) 99F (1986) 96F (1957) 89F (1986) 82F (2000) 76F (1998) -12F(1985) -1F (1958) 6F (1993) 21F (1960) 27F (1963) 36F (1984) 49F (1962) 44F (1968) 29F (1967) 20F (1962) 25F (1962) -6F (1962) SAFETY TIPS & ETIQUETTE Tell someone your itinerary and expected return time. Be prepared for unexpected weather changes by dressing in layers and carrying rain gear. Take a map, water, snacks, first aid kit, flashlight and whistle. Three short blasts on a whistle are known as a call for help. Do not stray from trails. If you become lost, stay in one location and wait for help. This will make it easier for rescuers to find you. Don't count on cell phones to work in the wilderness, but if they do, be able to give details about your location. Invest in good hiking socks such as those found at sporting goods stores. Avoid blisters by carrying "moleskin" and applying it as soon as you feel a hot spot on your feet. Available in the foot care section of drug stores, moleskin is like felt that sticks to your skin. Be prepared for unexpected rain and wind which can lead to hypothermia. Always carry quality rain gear and turn back in bad weather. If you become wet or cold, it is important to get dry and warm as quickly as possible. Dress in layers and avoid cotton. Luckily, today's hikers can choose from numerous fabrics that wick moisture, dry quickly or conserve heat. Many experienced hikers wear a lightweight shirt that wicks moisture, while carrying a fleece pullover and rain jacket. Pack out all trash. Keep pets on a leash. Do not pick flowers or disturb wildlife. Protect the landscape by staying on trails. More hiking and safety tips from the American Red Cross. www.redcross.org/services/hss/tips/hiking.html