Trail Overview
This deceptively fun out-and-back drive branches west from Winding Stair Gap Road in the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest. The surface is gravel, rock, and red Georgia clay and runs through dense forest along its namesake Jones Creek. The rushing water can be heard with the windows down. 4WD is recommended, especially when rainfall makes the going slippery. There may also be running water in ruts along or across the trail in some spots. Some stretches have steep drops down to the creek on one side. Wildlife including bears, deer, and wild turkeys may be seen. Jones Creek Campground offers primitive sites. The trail crosses Jones Creek and continues on the far side but soon ends at a private property boundary. Cell service is an occasional one-bar at best, so use the offline maps feature before you go. Little traffic was seen on a Sunday morning. There are no structures or restrooms. Airing down isn't necessary but will give a smoother ride. As with any heavily wooded trail--especially an out and back where you could be blocked in--it's a good idea to have some means of clearing a tree. A chainsaw is best but at least a strap to pull it far enough over to get by is highly recommended.
History
Established in 1936, the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest covers nearly 867,000 acres across 26 counties. Features include thousands of miles of clear-running streams and rivers, approximately 850 miles of recreation trails, and dozens of campgrounds, picnic areas, and other recreation activities.
