Jones Bridge Trail (Fulton County, Georgia)

Wanting to get in more miles this weekend, I decided to join the Meetup group for a hike at the Jones Bridge Unit of the Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area, only 12 or so miles from my home. I've hiked this section before, but it has been a few years. The hike was scheduled to start at noon on this warm late December day, but I wanted to get in at least a couple more miles than the I suspected the group would complete and so, I arrived early. 

Heading east, I completed a little loop that dead ends at the posted and fenced grounds of several magnificent houses along the river. No matter, there are plenty of other trails here. Quickly, I head back towards the parking area with the intent of following the river down to the boat ramp and then back before others arrive, but as I pass through the parking area, I'm greeted by a friend, whom I haven't seen in a while. We get to chatting and before I know it, many others have arrived and begin parking and joining the conversation. Well, at least I got in an extra mile.

Once the large group (about 35 strong) has assembled, we do our quick round of introductions and answer the leader's survey question. Today, he wants to know our favorite Christmas movie. While Home Alone and Die Hard are popular answers, I go with Gremlins - we're an odd bunch perhaps. 

With no further ado, we enter the woods along these well groomed trails. We repeat the loop I had just completed and then head west along the river. A lot of the folks here today are friends and we get into several enjoyable conversations as we maintain a solid pace along the pine-needle-carpeted paths. The views of the river are nice and we even see a large heron take flight as we walk past.

Heading inland just a bit from the river, we climb a "switchbacked" hillside and gain a little elevation, before looping around and returning the way we came. This area looks much like the other units of the park, but it's still nice to get out and stretch my legs once again. Returning to the parking area, I've completed about 6.6 miles, while the group got about a mile less than that. There is talk of stopping at a nearby tavern for a late lunch and my gurgling stomach votes to join the group.

Stone Mountain - Cherokee Trail (DeKalb County, Georgia)

Stone Mountain Park is a tourist attraction just east of downtown Atlanta and built around the giant monadnock of the same name. I've hiked here many times, but when I recently saw that the annual park passes were being sold at a substantial discount, I decided to get one for the upcoming year. With the pass in hand and a desire to get some trail miles in, I decided to head over to the park this morning and hike the Cherokee Trail, which circumnavigates the mountain.

As I entered the park, I showed my electronic pass to the attendant on my phone and was handed a sticker pass to affix to my windshield. I'll take care of that later; for now, I just want to get my feet moving. I quickly locate a parking spot and head towards the Walk-up trail beginning. I'm kind of amazed by how many people are hear today, but perhaps I shouldn't be. It's the weekend after Christmas and the weather is very warm, even bordering on hot for this time of year. I think we're expecting a high of around 76° today - great hiking weather. 

Instead of continuing up the steep Walk-up Trail, I take a quick left and begin the Cherokee Trail. This one does not climb the mountain, but offers some great views and is mostly flat. I'm focused more on distance training rather than elevation right now. The brown pine needles cover the ground, but the trail is still easy to pick out even as it passes over sections of granite slabs. With the mountain to my right, I can see the steep incline from this angle. The only safe way to climb it is the previously mentioned Walk-up Trail, as most other approaches are far too steep.

Soon, I pass by the open section where concerts and other events are held in the summer. This clear section is also home to the confederate general carving on the side of the mountain, which includes representations of Jefferson Davis, Robert E. Lee, and Stonewall Jackson. With the dew running off of the mountain top, it's actually slightly difficult to make out the images, but after staring for a minute, they become more clear. There has been a movement in the past few years to remove this carving as it represents a shameful past. I'm kind of torn on the matter. I certainly don't want to celebration the Confederacy or what it stood for, but I also recognize it as a piece of American history. For now, I will just admire the carving and move on.

The trail continues on around the big rock and soon, I am a greeted by the train whistle of the passing tourist train that takes visitors around the mountain. It appears to be mostly empty today. The next item of note is the old Grist Mill, which sits the edge of small creek and harness the water's movement to spin a giant wheel as the water dumps into Stone Mountain Lake. This is a popular spot and there are a number people on the nearby benches and picnic tables. I also get a little turned around here and loose the trail for a minute, rejoining it soon after walking the paved road a very short distance.

From there and for most of the remainder of the trail, I will be cutting the gap between the mountain and the lake, which offers some nice views and allows the trail to head into the woods once more. I'm pushing my pace a little bit today, as I really am training for distance and some large upcoming hikes later in the spring.

The final section of the trail leads up the side of the granite behemoth itself. It does not seek the top, but does travel across the uneven surface across the granite to return to the starting point. White blazes both on trees on on the granite surface itself mark the way. Between the slant of the surface and a few wet sections, I'm forced to be very cautious here. A slip, while not fatal, would still me rolling down the side of the mountain for a couple of dozen yards - a fate I would rather avoid.

Reaching the junction with the Walk-up Trail, I begin heading down and against the flow of traffic, which includes many, many people making their way to the summit. I'll do that another day. Back at the starting point, I see that I got in just about 5.3 miles today and in really good time. I hate that the natural state of the mountain has been deformed, but even in it's molested state, this is a nice place to get in a few miles and with an annual pass, I suspect I will be here a few more times this year.

Soco Falls (Jackson County, North Carolina)

Heading to my in-laws in North Marshall to join my wife and mother for Christmas dinner, I decided to make a short pitstop and enjoy some lunch along the drive up. Soco Falls is near Cherokee, NC and has a large parking area dedicated to it. From the number of people here, it seems to be quite popular. After making my way down to the start of the short trail, I realized that it was very muddy and went back to my car to change into some spare hiking shoes I carry along with me for just such occasions.

Now better equipped, I made my way down the half-mile or so trail along a steep and muddy incline towards the waterfall. Sturdy rails and even some nicely poured steps have been added to help make the path easier to navigate, but it's still a bit trick with the slick muddy sections. Before long though, I reached the overlook and stared a short distance into the waterfall. In fact, this is a double waterfall with Soco Creek dropping from the larger 120-ish feet fall and a small unnamed creek dropping some forty feet at a near right angle to the larger falls. It's a pretty stunning site to see and I'm glad I took the time to visit. That said though, I have lunch to eat and more miles to go to get to my family for the holiday.

Appalachian Trail - Winding Stair Gap to Siler Bald (Macon County, North Carolina)

For the last couple of years, I've been slowly knocking off sections of the Appalachian Trail in Georgia, and I'm almost finished. That doesn't mean I can't hike sections in other states though. And so, when the Atlanta Outdoor Club posted the North Carolina section from Winding Stair Gap to Siler Bald, I thought it would give me a chance to dip my toes into that state's part of the pool. 

In advance of the hike, I chatted with the organized and we agreed to meet at the trailhead. Though it's drive of a couple of hours I arrived a few minutes before the rest of the group. Unlike many of the Georgia sections I've hiked recently, this trailhead is along a major paved road, which is a nice change. Within a few minutes the rest of the group, eight of us in total, arrived and after a quick round of introductions, we headed across the highway and north along the AT.

Almost immediately, we were greeted by a small waterfall along Moore Creek. I was able to snap a couple of decent pictures as we crossed over the creek on along a single rail bridge, common to this area. From here, the trail gently ascended as it zigged and zagged in a generally northwestern direction. The trail here is much like that which I've hiked in Georgia - well maintained with a few roots and rocks, but nothing difficult.

The group maintained a strong pace and we chatted about various topics as we made our way through the woods. At just about the four-mile mark, we left the AT and headed up a muddy, overused spur trail through yellow grasses towards the summit of Silar Bald. I attempted to walk in the muddy central track so as to not widen the trail, as my Leave No Trace training would have me do. However, due to the softness of the ground and perhaps some recent precipitation, this track was very slippery and I found myself almost falling a couple of times. Reluctantly, I began walking on the grass on either side of the deep scar of a trail.

After roughly a quarter-mile, we reached the summit and were treated to some spectacular views. The combination of warmish temperatures and clear blue skies made the summit an ideal place for our lunch break. As I walked around, I found a stone tablet marking the elevation at 5,216 feet and used the flat surface to plant my rump while I enjoyed a peanut butter sandwich I had prepared this morning. It was very pleasant on top and we snapped a couple of group photos, before packing up and heading back the way we came.

The return trip was uneventful and we enjoyed more conversation and tales of other adventures, while the trail descended gently back towards our cars. When we got back, my GPS track indicated we had hiked right at 9.0 miles. Not a bad way to spend a Sunday and with our good pace, I'm back early enough to even get get home before dark.

Boundary Waters (Douglas County, Georgia)

After getting a short hike in at the nearby Sweetwater Creek State Park, I head to Boundary Waters, a recreational area in Douglas County. I had read about this place about a year ago and I've been curious to check out the trail system, but when I saw one of the Meetup organizers post a hike here, it seemed the perfect opportunity. As soon as I got out of my car in the large parking area, a couple of people that had been waiting asked if I was here for the hike, which I confirmed. It's cold today and the wind is blowing pretty hard. I take a couple of minutes to put a windbreaker on over my fleece and as I do, several other hikers including the leader pull into the lot. 

We do our traditional round of introductions and are soon in the woods on the wide trails of this park. Everything is well maintained here and we seem to be walking through a disc golf course. There are even a group of guys playing, though the wind must be playing havoc with their shots.

Soon, we reach the Chattahoochee River and begin walking along it for a short distance. Much like it's tributary, Sweetwater Creek located just a few miles north of here, the water is pretty low. The trail then turns into the woods and just as it does, I notice a lone holly tree standing alongside it. It's dark green leaves and bright red berries are the perfect thing to see with only ten or so days remaining until Christmas. We stop for a moment to admire before heading deeper into the woods. 

The system of trails here seems to be well maintained wherever we go. One of the hikers has been here before and is acting as our unofficial guide. He takes up a few hills and down the other side. Feeling particularly energetic today, I run up a few of them just for the additional cardio. It feels good in this brisk air and it gives me a chance to chat with different folks in the group.

Before long, we're headed back towards the parking area. The last bit takes us along a paved bike path, but it's of no real concern. We got in about 7.1 miles on these trails today. Overall, it's a pretty nice park. Nothing exciting or really noteworthy, but nothing bad either. I don't know that I would hike here again, but if there was a good reason to, I certainly might.

Sweetwater Creek - Red Trail (Douglas County, Georgia)

I'm head to a new area southwest of Atlanta to join the Meetup group's exploration of some new trails. On the way though, I decided to stop by Sweetwater Creek State Park and get in a couple of extra miles. This is one of my favorite parks, especially in the fall and winter when the lack of tree leaves allows clear views of the wide Sweetwater Creek. Parking my car, I quickly passed by the visitor's center and made my way to the red trail. It's pretty cold out today, but that just means there shouldn't be too many people out here hiking. 

Quickly, the trail passes through the woods and begins running parallel to the creek. The water is not particularly high today and a number of rocks and ridges rise up from the shallow brown water. I cross over a small foot bridge and onto the island between the creek itself and the channel cut over century ago to divert water into the Manchester Mill. This area offers some great views of the creek, but before too long, I hit a dead end and I'm forced with the decision to try to make clear the ten foot channel with a mighty jump or turn back the way I came. Given that the water is probably just above freezing and the air temperature near that as well, I decide the prudent move would be to head back. 

After crossing back over the bridge, I walk past the ruins of the multi-story Manchester Mill complex, which sits right alongside the creek. I decide to take a series of staircases that lead down the far side of the mill and again to the creek below. The stairs are very sturdy, but comically over-engineered. It's not like this is a dangerous cliff or anything. It's just a slightly steep hillside. Ah well, it does all me some good pictures of the creek.

Finally, I look at the time and realize I need to be heading back to my car to meet the group. I was only able to hike about 1.6 miles here today, but I'll get several more at the next destination. Until next time, Sweetwater.

Whittier Mill (Fulton County, Georgia)

With a pretty substantial chance for rain going into the weekend, I wasn't sure that I would be able to get in many trail miles, but luckily the showers had passed over by the time of the Meetup's Sunday hike. Today, we're exploring some new trails starting at Whittier Mill Park west of Atlanta. The group is smaller today, only consisting of about ten hikers. We do our introductions and then quickly hit the trails.

Coming out of the parking area, we immediately pass by the remains of an old carpentry shop that served the Mill facility. Not much remains of the overall site, but this structure was stabilized and now servers as a group area for visitors to the park, complete with picnic tables inside the building's brick husk. Soon the trail heads up hill and we begin walking along the supports of an elevated railroad track. While we'll definitely get some time in the woods, it seems there is going to be a lot more industrial area along today's path than normal.

Entering the woods, today's leader points out a couple of oddities in the distance, which we follow the trail over to examine more closely. The first and more eye catching is a replica (I hope) human skeleton perched atop the frame of a Schwinn bicycle. The frame is mounted to some steel plates to keep it up right and the skeleton seems to be enjoying himself on his stationary ride. Nearby, a number of other bike frames have been lined up and partially buried. It's an odd sight, but certainly interesting.

Heading further into the woods, we meet up with the Chattahoochee River and the trail begins following it, though there area a large number of connecting trails throughout this area. This seems to be in the flood plane judging by the vegetation, mud, and debris. This is not really a pretty part of the river, as it is passing by a number of industrial plants. We see one on our side of the river and two or three on the opposite shore. I comment that it seems we are in the bowels of Atlanta.

The trail continues north until we eventually reach a railroad yard. We attempt to find a way around the area, but having no luck in that endeavor, choose to walk through. While we search for continuations of the trails north of the yard, we really find nothing and decide to head back, though taking one of the many alternate paths we had found. At one point, we end up in a neighborhood dog park. I'm sure the people exercising their pooches there are wondering about a group of ten people emerging from the woods, but they greet us with a friendly hello regardless.

After some more adventure crossing a few questionable foot bridges, we eventually end up back a the park where we left our cars. We discuss grabbing a bite to eat at a nearby barbeque place, which turns out to be pretty fantastic. The hike today was only about 5.6 miles and it was quite different than our normal adventures, passing through some less beautiful areas of the city. While it was interesting, I don't think this one will be added to the group's standard rotation.

Alpine Helen Weihnachten 5k (White County, Georgia)

Hosted by the Alpine Helen Volksmarch Club, the first annual Weihnachten (Christmas in German) 5k seemed like a fun event for the Meetup group for which I lead hikes. Unlike the traditional '5k', this is not a run, but an evening meander through the Bavarian-themed city of Helen to enjoy the holiday spirit in the form of Christmas light displays all around the main strip of town. After posting the event, I originally had five people sign-up, but by the time of the event, it was just myself and one other hiker.

After registering at the Loreley Resort's Clubhouse on the outskirts of town, we began our short walk through the streets, complete with map in hand. The path first took us across a short footbridge crossing the Chattahoochee River, which passes through town, but is much closer to its headwaters and therefore, much smaller. From there, we walked the streets past the Oktoberfest Beer Hall and into a park area with several brilliant light displays, all Christmas themed. It wasn't quite dark yet and so, the lights were not as impressive as they likely will be on the return trip in an hour or so.

Continuing through the streets of Helen, we're both taken by the number of people shuffling about in the touristy town. Some of whom are participating in the 5k, but the majority of whom are probably just here on their own. There is a festive mood in the air and the weather is just about perfect - cool, but cold. 

We do struggle a little bit with the map as it is not exactly to scale, but it's not like we can get lost here in the streets of this little mountain town. Quickly, we find our way back to the intended route and begin look for the turn around near the western end of town. We cross the street and begin making our way back down the other side of Main Street. Along the way, we encounter the a line for the Christmas Train and then the Train itself, which is more of an amusement ferrying people up and down the main street to enjoy the same sights and Christmas spirit we are enjoying on foot.

Before returning to the resort for the raffle, we decide to stop for some dinner. Originally, we had both wanted to eat at one of the several German-themed restaurants, but as most had a long line, we settled on a Thai place. This turned out to be a great choice, as the food was fantastic. After our meal, we completed the walk and returned to the clubhouse just as the raffle was beginning. Neither of us ended up winning anything, but it was still a nice event and I look forward to possibly doing it again in the future.