Kinnard Creek Trail, Oconee National Forest

This five mile trail connects the Concord and Horse hunt camps, in the western part of the Oconee National Forest. The northern half of the Kinnard Creek Trail is the northernmost part of the Ocmulgee Bluff Trail System.
For an easy pleasant walk, start at Concord hunt camp, follow the trail through hardwoods along a small creek, and turn back when the trail starts to climb out of the creek valley. For a little more exercise, continue on the trail along a piney ridge and turn around where it meets Kinnard Creek. This portion of the trail was well marked in early 2009.
To continue along the Ocmulgee Bluff Trail System, follow the trail across Kinnard Creek. This crossing is tricky because the creek has steep banks. In dry weather, the crossing is ankle deep, but a thunderstorm can make it much deeper with a strong current. Continue by some rock formations, then across Lane Road and into a pine forest. Just before Wise Creek, the Ocmulgee Bluff Trail System turns southwest to follow the Wise Creek Trail.
The Kinnard Creek Trail continues southeastward across Wise Creek. This creek crossing is similar to the Kinnard Creek crossing, tricky footing and likely to be impassible after heavy rains. This section climbs out of the Wise Creek valley through pine forest to FS road 1013A and the ruins of the former Friendship Hunt Camp. As of early 2010, this section was poorly marked.
The southern third, from Friendship to Horse hunt camps, is sometimes called the Rush Creek Trail. This section is mostly easy walking through pine forests. However, it crosses a marshy area near Rush Creek. As of early 2010, navigation was difficult because the trail was indistinct and poorly marked.

Access

Access is at

Concord Hunt Camp. From the city of Monticello, take Georgia Route 16 west 6.3 miles to Concord Church Road. Turn left and go 1.6 miles to Concord Hunt Camp. From the hunt camp, go south across the road.
Note: There is a small error in the general National Forest map. Despite what the map says, the trail starts south of the hunt camp.
Wise Creek Trail
Forest Service Road 1013A (former Friendship hunt camp)
Note: The road fords Rush Creek, and this ford is usually flooded.
Horse Hunt Camp

Coordinates

approximately Latitude 33° 17' 27'' N, Longitude 083° 48' 20'' W

Note: Like all National Forests, hiking and camping are allowed anywhere except where specifically prohibited. However, many parcels of land in the area are not part of the National Forest. Please respect the private landowners' rights.

Caution: Hunting is also allowed anywhere in the National Forest, except where specifically prohibited. We recommend you stay away from active hunting areas, unless you are familiar with the hazards and appropriate precautions. Hunting is prohibited in certain popular recreation areas. Also, the whole National Forest is free of hunting certain parts of the year. Contact the ranger station for details.

Point of Contact

Oconee Ranger Station

References

See Oconee National Forest page.

This page is just a starting point. Once you decide which sites you might visit, we strongly recommend you contact the owner or manager for the latest information on features, access, and safety.

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David Farrier, farrier@iglou.com

Kinnard Creek Trail last spot checked January 2010.
Last edited 17 March 2011.