93C - Nicholson Gap

93C starts at the Satterfield Trailhead, a large gravel parking area good for parking trailers and gathering groups. There is a pit toilet located here, along with trash bins.

The trail climbs steadily as you increase your elevation by 500 feet within the first mile. Keep an eye out for oncoming traffic and spots to pull over to pass.

At a 4-way intersection, continue uphill to the east and follow 93C. Straight down the hill is 93D, which loops around the bottom of Jones Knob. Uphill to the west is 93G, a more technical trail leading to the top of Beasley Knob.

The trail passes through a set of narrow trees and levels off briefly at a large open area used for camping. Continue following 93C uphill to the east. The easier road straight ahead is 93A and leads to the Blue Rock Trailhead.

At the triangle-shaped intersection, continue following 93C sharply uphill. The intersection has plenty of room to pull over and it is a gathering spot for those coming up 93F, which heads downhill to the south.

The main trail curves north, passing the top of 93E to the east and a short spur of 93C that leads to the top of Jones Knob. The viewpoint is a great area to visit when leaves have fallen from the trees in the fall. It is nearly impossible to see through the dense foliage in spring and summer. The top of Jones Knob has a good-sized turnaround that can accommodate about 10-12 vehicles. The vegetation here also boasts a healthy population of poison ivy, so be aware before trekking into the bush.

This sloped, ribbed rock obstacle is the most challenging section of the trail and requires good ground clearance. The rock rises about a foot at its highest point out of the packed soil. Some stock 4x4s could find this spot tricky without good tire placement.

Continue traveling along the ridgeline as the top of 93B intersects from the north. Do not proceed down 93B. This is an extreme trail and generally run in the uphill direction. 93B is only one vehicle wide, and it is impossible to pass oncoming traffic. Thus, it is not recommended to travel downhill.

A hard turn behind you to the northwest heads up a short spur to the Blue Rock Overlook on top of Rattlesnake Hill. The roundabout at the top is large enough for about 8-9 vehicles if they park tightly. This overlook offers outstanding views across the Chattahoochee National Forest, no matter the time of year.

The trail begins traveling downhill for a quarter-mile stretch with continuous steep pitches from 17-22 degrees.

The trail comes to an end at a 3-way intersection. A hard turn back towards the west will lead you down 93D, circling around the base of Jones Knob and eventually reconnecting to 93C at Waypoint 3. Although a trail appears to continue heading west, this path is not a drivable road and quickly chokes down to a few feet in width and disappears into a thick mat of tangled brush, vines, and trees.