Pine Mountain Trail - Wolfden Loop and Dowdell Knob (Meriwether and Harris Counties, Georgia)

I've really been struggling to get out as much as I would like. This is due to a combination of weather and at-home responsibilities, but with some bigger trips coming up, I had to take advantage of another visit to Pine Mountain in West-central Georgia when it arose. This trip was hosted by another of the hiking groups I often get out with and while this would not traverse the entire length of the 23-mile trail, the route would net me over fifteen miles, which I was in desperate need of. This Pine Mountain should not be confused with one of the same name northwest of the Atlanta metro area, and is really more of a long ridge line.

I arrived at the carpool meeting spot a few minutes before departure and was greeted by some friendly and familiar faces. We quickly jumped in the designated cars and headed for the trailhead at the WJST-TV tower. It was a little over an hour's drive and combined with the forty-five minute drive from my home to the meeting spot, it took just over two-hours from the time I walked out of my door - not terrible.

Circling up for a round of introductions, which included a couple of hikers that had decided to meet us at the trailhead, we all commented about how much cooler it was here than the carpool meeting spot. I put on an extra layer to help block the wind a bit. Yesterday was quite wet with thunderstorms blanketing most of Georgia, but today's forecast was clear and while it's cold and a bit overcast right now, hopefully it will clear up as the day progresses. We'll be out here a few hours as we complete the Wolfden Loop and then follow the Pine Mountain Trail to Dowdell Knob.

We quickly hit the trail and maintained a good pace. The well know maintained trail goes past a couple of tiny waterfalls just near the start as it follows the Wolfden Branch of a creek of an unknown name. At just about the two-mile mark, we reach Cascade Creek, which is a bit bigger than the smaller falls we had previously passed. That said, it's still only twenty or so feet tall as ti cascades over a couple of outcrops. As we approach, we note something a bit odd. A backpack is sitting on a log with tree branches reaching out from either side much like human arms reaching for the sky. Soon, a thirty-something gentlemen comes into view. It seems his father recently passed away. As a boy, the young man's father brought him here many times and he is now returning the favor with his father's remains. I can't think of a better way to honor someone than an act like this. We assist the young man in taking some pictures and then allow him his privacy as we move on.

Overall, this trail is relatively easy. There are a few inclines, but nothing too terrible and we are making great time. After passing a really nice camping area, we hit the Dowdell Knob Loop's split. We decide to clockwise, which will eventually return us to this spot. We note a sign indicating a race route, though no one is sure of when the race occurred. We'll be on the lookout for trail-runners.

After another couple of miles, we reach Dowdell Knob and take our planned lunch break. This spot offers an amazing view of the plain stretched out before us to the east. Apparently, President Franklin Delano Roosevelt was quite fond of this area and had a home built nearby, which is now called the Little White House. A bronze statue of the well-liked president has been erected here at the overlook, complete with the braces he wore to assist his leg control, which had been compromised due to polio.

We find an area to eat our sandwiches and most of us put layers that we had earlier dropped back on to block the wind, which is pretty strong up here. On our way to the area we eventually sat down at, we passed a couple performing some type of ritual that appeared to be religious in nature. This is Easter Sunday after all and so, this isn't all that surprising. That said though, none of us recognized the language being spoken or the custom itself. We tried to give them plenty of room so as not interrupt their ceremony.

Lunch tastes good as we've all burnt quite a few calories to get here. I take the opportunity to scan the distant horizon and take a few pictures. I can see the tall radio tower where we started far off in the distance stabbing the sky like a needle. With spring fully engaged, the world laid out before us from this overlook is a lush green and I'm reminded of how much I love being outdoors.

With food in our stomachs and miles to cover, we agree that we need to start heading back. We'll first continue the Dowdell Knob Loop returning to the earlier fork and then retread a section of ground before hitting the other fork that will take us to the Wolfden Loop. This time, we'll take the shorter option. Towards the end, I can sense myself getting tired and perhaps, a little dehydrated. I try to stop and take frequent water breaks to combat this.

Eventually, we return to the parking area. I check my mileage and we hit 15.5 miles on the dot in only a little less than six hours, which includes about twenty minutes for lunch. Not a bad day's work. We say our goodbyes and load into our respective rides bound for home.