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Getting Started
About Fannin County, GA
"Trout Capital of Georgia"
Ü Enlarge
 Designated by
the Georgia State Legislature in 2010 as Trout Capital
of Georgia, Fannin County lies in the Appalachian Mountains, 90 miles north of Atlanta, bordering on North Carolina and Tennessee.
Extending from within the county seat of Blue Ridge to the county border north, south, east and west, more than 100 miles of trout streams and rivers wind through Fannin County across 100,000 acres of the Chattahoochee National Forest. Blue Ridge is a quaint mountain gateway town with art galleries, downtown shopping, delectable restaurants, a scenic railroad, and get-away cabins nestled on mountain ridges, in peaceful valleys and on scenic waters.
The headquarters for the Trout Adventure Trail in Fannin County is the Ü Fannin County Chamber
of Commerce in Blue Ridge.
About Gilmer County, GA "Georgia's Apple Capital"
 Gilmer County is Georgia’s Apple Capital and contains abundant National Forest lands, including Springer Mountain, the southernmost terminus of the Appalachian Trail in the Chattahoochee National Forest.
Gilmer County is located along Highway 515/GA Highway 5, about
75 miles north of Atlanta. At more than 430 square miles big, the heavily wooded landscape stretches across the southernmost reach of north Georgia’s Blue Ridge Mountains.
Ellijay, the capital and largest town in Gilmer County is an “Appalachian Trail Town” and is located about 40 minutes east of the Trout Adventure Trail. The official headquarters for the Trout Adventure Trail in Ellijay is Ü North Georgia Mountain Outfitters.
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Trout Adventure Trail
What to Bring ... to Hike, Learn and Earn!
(Please check back for content update)
Planning for a Safe Hike
It is important to be prepared for your hike depending on the season, weather and length of hike. It takes good planning to conduct a safe hike.
þ Ensure that the weakest hiker on the trip is ready for the physical demands of a hike.
þ Know where you are going and what to expect. TELL SOMEONE WHERE YOU ARE GOING
AND WHEN YOU EXPECT TO RETURN.
þ Adjust clothing layers to match changing conditions.
þ Drink plenty of water.
þ Protect yourself from exposure to the sun, biting insects, and poisonous plants.
þ Take care of your gear.
ÜDirections and Ümaps are available for all segments of the Trout Adventure Trail. Ensure that the information is readily available when needed on the trip.
Comfortable shoes: Suitable footwear should be industry standard. Those with rubber soles and closed toes are best, as wilderness trails can have rocks and roots that can be a danger to unprotected toes. Some hiking sandals may work for appropriate aged children, but flip flops are not advisable. The trails have some unimproved stream crossings between Three Forks and Springer Mountain. In cold months, carrying an extra pair of dry socks is advisable.
Clothing: Appropriate clothing includes all layers of clothing and is chosen to be suitable for the Üarea weather. Keep in mind that Three Forks and Springer Mountain are at higher elevations than the towns of Blue Ridge, Blairsville and Ellijay and the temperatures generally run a few degrees colder there.
Warm seasons: In warmer seasons, weather on the Trout Adventure Trail may be cool in the morning and downright hot in the afternoon. A removable fleece over-shirt or vest or light jacket can be worn to ward off the morning chill. Some prefer light long-sleeved shirts and long pants even in summer to resist scratches, insects, and poison oak or poison ivy. Others are more comfortable in shorts and short sleeves, and those who stay on the trails should be able to get along fine in short sleeves or shorts. Wandering off the trail is another matter.
Insect repellant is recommended from spring to fall. Carrying a light rain jacket is highly recommended, even in summer, if there is a chance of rain. Since 99% of the trails are shaded by trees, sunscreen is not needed except for persons with especially sensitive skin. On longer hikes, carrying an extra pair of dry socks is advisable in case feet get wet crossing streams or due to rain puddles.
Cold seasons: In cold seasons, dress for comfort by layering. Generally speaking, fleece or wool is safer than cotton in winter, especially in wet weather. Good raingear or a waterproof coat is essential in winter if rain or snow is possible.
Pack it along: A small, comfortable back or fanny pack is advisable on all hikes for carrying both essential gear and accessories that make your hike more fun and educational:
þ Take care of your gear.
þ Plenty of water.
þ Snacks and/or a lunch, depending on the length of the hike.
þ Map of trails and a compass for longer hikes or to demonstrate map reading.
þ Flashlight -- Hiking at or near nightfall is not recommended. However, it is a good idea to have
a flashlight in case of emergency.
þ Toilet paper. There are no toilet facilities in the wilderness. Always bury your waste and toilet paper
under at least 6 inches of soil.
þ Carry one good first aid kit per group hiking.
þ Carry Benedryl in seasons with stinging insects and prescription medicine for those with known medical conditions
or allergies. Hikers who know they are susceptible to anaphylactic reactions (and anyone dealing with asthma) should
consult with their physicians to prepare themselves for the outdoors with strategies and treatment kits, and should
share that information with the leaders of their groups. For example, the emergency kits carried by people who know
they might suffer from anaphylactic shock often include an EpiPen® for injecting a measured dose of epinephrine.
þ Optional: camera, walking stick, signal whistle, hat.
þ NOTE: Cell phone and smart-phone service is iffy to nonexistent on the Trout Adventure Trail.
For more information about hiking safely, please see Ü Managing Risk, published by Boy Scouts of America
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