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| Three Forks is the confluence of Holcomb Creek, Overflow Creek and Big Creek to form the West Fork of the Chattooga River. The three creeks and the West Fork are part of the Chattooga Wild and Scenic River, the only area in Georgia with this designation. The trail to Three Forks is through dense forests and although it is steep the last half mile of three-plus miles on an old logging road, it is well used and easy to walk. The area is remote, beautiful, very impressive and well worth the trip. |
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Big Creek entering Three Forks
In the foreground is the confluence of Big Creek on the left and Overflow Creek on the right. Holcomb Creek can be seen joining the others in the upper left of this picture.
The large ferns growing on the banks in the rocks add beauty to this remote area. |
| To reach the trailhead drive from Clayton on Warwoman Road to Highway 28, a distance of about 14 miles. Turn left onto Highway 28 and go 4 miles to the community of Satolah. About two hundred feet after crossing the Big Creek Bridge turn left into a parking area. The old logging road that serves as the trail begins here. This road immediately crosses Talley Mill Creek which you may want to ford in your vehicle to avoid wading or rock hopping. The road is not good from this point on and I suggest parking as soon as you spot a turnaround. Follow the road for about 1.5 miles to a fork in the trail. The left fork is a 90 degree left turn and begins a slow decent to Big Creek. Continue on the right fork for about another mile to a large blocking mound with a water-filled pit in front. A trail to the right descends to Overflow Creek. Continue around the blocking mound and begin to descend sometimes steeply down to Three Forks, a distance of about 0.75 miles with a drop of about 550 ft. in elevation. Allow about 1.5 hours to walk in and 1.75 to 2 hours for the return trip. During periods of wet weather (almost always) there will be numerous large puddles of standing water and mud across the road.
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