Relax on this easy hike along Bear Creek as you make your way to the Gennett Poplar, the second largest tree in Georgia. The trail sticks closely to Bear Creek, enveloping you in the calming sounds of the cascading water. A great short hike for families and dogs just outside of Ellijay, GA.

The trail is at the end of the 2-mile gravel Bear Creek Camp Road. The trailhead for this hike is at the very end of the road at the Pinhoti sign, not the trail with the sign for Bear Creek Loop.

This short hike only climbs 200 feet over less than a mile. The only difficulty is a couple creek crossings, but you can rock hop your way across most of the time. Follow the sign at the Pinhoti Trail intersection, then turn right at an unmarked intersection to immediately cross a creek. Look for the green blazes. "Poplar" was written on one of the blazes when I was there.

At just over .8 miles you'll arrive at a railing with steps leading down to the massive Gennett Poplar, the second largest tree in Georgia. While you can make a couple longer loops, this hike ends here and heads back the way it came.