BMT: Segment 7a-7d (Weaver Creek Road to Bushy Head Gap)

Dogs Leashed

Features Commonly Backpacked · Fall Colors · River/Creek

• Benton MacKaye Trail

For more information, visit the Benton MacKaye Trail Association's website.

There is no vehicle access to Fowler Mountain.

Trail Description: The BMT meets Weaver Creek Road at mile 47.1. Shortly after crossing Laurel Creek, turn left and follow this old road through two gates and on out to GA 5/515. The BMTA has permission to cross the private property between the two closed gates, but hikers must not leave the road bed or camp here. Use care in crossing the busy four-lane, divided highway. After doing so, go a short distance south to the trailhead on the west side of the highway at mile 49.7 (WP 62, 1590'). Then immediately turn left along the edge of the fence, passing through it beside a BMT sign.

The Trail then follows a switchback up the hill to the backside of the Craddock Center and heads down the ridge to an unpaved road. Free parking is available in the parking lot of the Craddock Center and is much safer than parking down on GA 515. The Craddock Center has a marked driveway off GA 515 just north of Joann Sisson Road.

After crossing the creek again it turns left onto Mountain View Road at mile 50.4. It makes another left turn onto JoAnn Sisson Rd, then a right turn onto Bill's Place where is passes a house and goes into the woods on an unimproved primitive road. Follow this track to the Cherry Lake Dam (mile 51.0), the Recreation Chapel (WP 64) and to a series of wooden stairways up to the road. At the road, turn left again, then right onto Indian Rock Road.

The Trail bears right off the side of the road, then crosses a creek, then comes to the Sisson Shelter (WP 65, mile 51.3). This is the only BMT Shelter south of the Smokies and is a great place to spend a night next to a nice creek. The trail then rejoins Indian Rock Road, goes past a pond with a picnic area, and through another covered bridge. It passes an unusual rock outcropping on the left (Indian Rock). Upon reaching the driveway for #297, the Trail goes straight up the driveway then back into the woods where the driveway curves right. JT's Trail goes left at mile 51.8. The BMT proceeds straight up the ridge, meeting a road at mile 52.1. It crosses the road, then meets another road at mile 52.5. At this road it turns right, and leaves the road again shortly, again to the right.

Follow this trail up over a ridgeline (2264') then down the backside of the ridge to Boardtown Road at mile 53.5 (WP 66, 1780'). The Trail turns left onto Boardtown Road and follows the road for about a mile to the intersection with Bushy Head Gap Road. It then turns right onto Bushy Head Gap Road (mile 54.4) and follows this road to the Bushy Head Gap at mile 56.1 (WP 67, 2090').

Campsites: The Sisson Shelter is on the Sisson Property at mile 51.3 (WP 65). This shelter will hold about six people. There is a creek and a fire ring in front of the shelter.

Water Sources: Water is available from several creeks in the Sisson Property (D). It is recommended that all the water from these creeks be treated since there are many cabins are in this area.