Phinizy Swamp - Equalization Pond Loop (Richmond County, Georgia)

As hot and humid as it is today, I debated on just heading home after my previous hike, but since I'm in the area, I decided to check out one more interesting place near Augusta. The Phinizy Swamp seems like a place that Snoop Dog might enjoy visiting, but today, it's me paying it a visit. This swamp is created by the confluence of the Savannah River and Butler Creek and is home to a variety of waterfowl and amphibians, including alligators.

Even getting out of my car, I'm second guessing my decision to hike further in this heat, but I'm here now and I've got to check it out. My plan was to hike about five miles around the facility. We'll see how far I get before heat exhaustion sets in. The trail starts easily enough and wanders through the swampy forest from the parking area to the visitors center, which only takes about five minutes to walk. Here a number of structures, picnic areas, and other facilities offer a variety of amenities to those brave enough to come to the swamp.

I head out towards the SunRise deck, which takes me over a winding boardwalk to a wooden platform built in the reeds and presumably which offers a view of the rising sun early in the morning. I bet it would be at least a little cooler at that time of day. Continuing on, I follow the trail, which is mostly boardwalk out to the ponds where the wildlife lives.

First, I walk along a long straight boardwalk northward to Equalization Pond. This pond is surrounded by a low fence, but the bottom is open, presumably allowing the critters to crawl in and out as they please. I make a lap of the small pond, which is covered with a thick green moss that provides lots of feeding areas for the waterfowl who seem to love being here. I also note that I'm not the only one observing the birds. In the center of the pond, I see two eyes and a snout just above the water's surface. A small alligator is watching for any opportunity to get some lunch.

Passing by part of the fence, I disturb fifteen or so birds of the same species (I'm really not sure what they were). It's not my intention to bother them, but I can't get past without walking by them and so, they soon fly off. As I continue around the backside of the lake, I'm really starting to feel this heat. I make sure to drink plenty of water as I continue, but I'm not sure it's enough. I feel like I'm starting to get the first signs of a heat-related problem. I continue the walk and head back across the long straight bridge intending to go back the way I came to the car. 

However, at the junction of this side trail and the one I entered on, I meet a group of three other visitors and they mention a large alligator just ahead and on the right (a different path than I had planned). Of course, I can't let that go and head they way they pointed. This path follows some kind of fenced canal in the center of the facility that goes on a long way. There's no place to cross over it and I'm forced to decide on one side or the other. Given my intention to leave, I stay on the interior path all the while searching for gators. 

I do eventually see one in the large open water area, but he's at quite a distance and I'm never able to get a great shot from here. When I reach the other side of this pond though, there is a family there and a man playing baby alligator grunts from his phone, which appears to attract this big guy. He swims fairly close to the shore. I would estimate he's about six feet long, but it's always hard to tell at a distance. While I don't think he would attack a full grown man, he might be tempted to after the small children here and there mother watches over them diligently just in case. I chat with the family for just a moment, take a couple of snapshots, and then head back towards the car. 

While I'm really enjoying this place and of course seeing the wildlife, I need to cool off. Back at my car, I hop in and turn the AC up full blast while I down more water. I only hiked about 3.8 miles here, which is still more than I thought I would get, but as long as there are no long term effects from the heat exhaustion, it was worth it the alligator encounter was worth it.

Augusta Canal National Heritage Trail (Columbia County, Georgia)

I spent the night in Charlotte, NC last night after attending a concert given by my favorite band. Rather than head straight home this morning though, I decided to head south and visit Augusta, GA for the first time. I had a couple of trails I wanted to check out. That said though, the weather has been fairly unpredictable and not super friendly to hiking these last few days. There was a pretty heavy rain during much of the concert last night, but luckily my seats were under the amphitheater roof. Add to that super high temperatures and humidity, and it doesn't make for great weather to be outdoors. Still, I'm going to give it a go.

My first stop takes me to the Augusta Canal National Heritage Trail. This path runs parallel to the Augusta Canal cut alongside the Savannah River in 1845 to power cotton mills and other factories in the area. It was instrumental in the industrialization of the south. This canal is the only one if it's kind in the US that is fully intact and although none of the plants are still in operation, the hydroelectricity is still used by the community and Augusta's municipal water system is drawn from the canal.

As I drive around the trailhead at Savannah River Rapids Park and soon find a parking spot, I notice this is a popular recreation area. There are a number of kayakers, runners, walkers, bikers, and photographers busy at whatever their focus happens to be. I can't blame them; its' a very pretty area.

Walking down the hill from the parking area, I follow along Reed Creek, which empties into the canal, but not before passing over a beautiful little double waterfall. Vibrant colors of green and red make for a terrific picture and I'm already enjoying this place.

Just a bit further, I cross a sturdy bridge which takes me over the canal to narrow strip of land separating the canal from the river. The trail is small gravel, but well maintained and perfectly flat and seemingly perfectly straight, at least for the length I decide to walk. Both the river and the canal appears to be pretty shallow since I can see the bottom in many places and in the river, a number of shoals crop up from the water's surface offering some refuge to the local waterfowl and an army of turtles. There are also a great many turtles in the canal balancing on floating logs and other debris. Some of them drop into the water at the slightest move in their direction.

As I make my way down the trail on this incredibly warm day, I decide to take my shirt off and at least get a little color on my farmer's tan. I'm passed by a number of runners and bikers and in turn pass a number of walkers (as usual my pace is pretty fast), but I do take the time to take in the beautiful scenery all around me. 

I also notice that the joro spiders have arrived and they seem to be even bigger here than they are back home. I spot several of them who's leg spans would appear to be more than four inches, though it's difficult to tell at a distance. I'm sure they get well fed here on the river's shoreline. 

After passing a sign for a place called the Old Fish Camp Path, which seems to lead down to the river, I decide to turn around and head back. It's just so hot and humid today. Back at my car, I see that I only hiked about 2.8 miles and I now that this trail extends well beyond where I turned around. I may have to visit again when it's a bit cooler and finish out the remaining miles. For now though, I settle for just this taste.

Ocmulgee River Trail (Jasper County, Georgia)

The weekend is going far too fast, but thankfully it's Labor Day, which means a rare Monday off of work. I decided to join the Atlanta Outdoor Club for another hike today. The Ocmulgee River Trail will be our destination. I saw this one get posted a couple of weeks ago and it immediately caught my interest since I haven't explore the area. I was a bit confused though in that the meeting location had a couple of different pins. I had emailed the organizer and he mentioned that it was a "exploratory" hike, which I completely understand, but it would still be nice to ensure we all start at the same place.

It's a couple of hours of driving to get to the trailhead and once I arrived, I didn't find anyone at first. I rechecked the coordinates and just as I confirmed I was in the correct place, another gentleman showed up. We called the organizer who was at one of the other points and bushwhacking to find anything resembling a trail. As we spoke, a third hiker drive back from further up the gravel road we were parked on and reported a parking area about a half-mile further in. We relayed this to the organizer on the phone and before long, everyone had arrived at the turn-off. We chatted for a moment and then caravanned to the parking area hoping it was the spot we were looking for. It was, though it was pretty overgrown.

Everyone parked their car and got out the bug spray and their gear before doing a quick round of introductions. As we walk through the partially overgrown parking area, I note a lot of poison ivy growing and mention this to the group. Knowing this hike was exploratory, I wore long pants to protect myself from the 'devil weed', which causes a horrible rash on me. It seems I was the only one that thought this way though as everyone else is in shorts. 

We quickly locate the trail and begin our trek through this forest that is unknown to us. The hiking is easy, but the trail doesn't seem to get a lot of use. It's pretty easy to follow, but there are several blow-downs and the weeks (and poison ivy) make obvious attempts to reclaim it. Heading north through the woods for the first part of the trail, when we finally turn around, we are just above the river. Unfortunately, it is so overgrown we are rewarded with only a couple of views. One of them though does give us the opportunity to watch a small fishing boat 'climb' up over a shallow waterfall. It was pretty impressive piloting.

Returning to the parking area, we discuss possibly explore the area south, but with the skies starting to darken, we assume a thunderstorm is in our future and decide to call it a day. I was still able to get in 8.7 miles on this trail, which is pretty nice. It was also nice chatting with these folks, several of whom have been doing international adventure recently, just as I have. It's good conversation.

Johnson Ferry North (Cobb County, Georgia)

The heat really hasn't let up since yesterday, but as I mentioned in that blog, I really need to start getting myself back in shape and trail miles are my regiment of choice. I decided to join the Atlanta Outdoor Club for a short hike at another of the Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area's units. Today, it will be the Johnson Ferry North park. Pulling into the gravel parking area, I ask a lady I see waiting around if she's here for the hike and she confirms that she is. I take a quick moment to use the nearby restroom and when I return a few others have arrived. While we wait for the final hikers, we note a large number of younger trail runners making their way off the trail and through the parking area at great paces. I'm guessing there is some kind of high-school practice today based on their approximate ages. 

Once everyone has arrived, we do a very quick round of introductions and then begin making our way through the trails of this unit. It's a pretty basic trail and I've hiked here a couple of times in the past. The first section is slightly overgrown, but from what some of the ladies say, it's much better today than it was last week. I guess the park service has done some work on it. After grassy section, we head into the woods and alongside the river. There are a couple of minor creek crossings, but each has well-placed stepping stones and everyone is able to cross each section without getting wet. This is a pretty area. I've always enjoyed the natural rocks of this area, which provide some interesting terrain for the feeder creeks to flow over.

Hitting the northern end of the park, we make our way around Hyde Park and then head back the way we came. The conversations are great and this seems to be a very nice group of people. Before long, we're back at the cars. I'm a sweaty mess, but I was able to get about 4.6 miles in on this trail, which will have to suffice for the day. Originally, I had planned on hitting a second trail today, but we have friends in town that are planning to stop by this afternoon and I should be there to greet them . . . after having showered. So, this will have to do for now.

Vickery Creek (Fulton County, Georgia)

It's been so very hot in the southeast the last couple of weeks . . . miserably hot. For the most part, I've been trying to stay inside and soak up the AC, but I really do need to get my body moving again. I signed up for and ran a 5k this morning at Little Mulberry Park. It was the first race I've run in a few months, but my time wasn't terrible. The mileage wasn't enough though and so, I decided to head over towards Roswell and put a few miles in at the Vickery Creek Unit of the Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area. I've hiked here a few times in the past and it's a pretty popular place. First though, I got a burger at the nearby Moxie Burger, which is a place I've been wanting to try for a while. It was a pretty good meal and the fries were outstanding. 

After finishing my lunch, I found a parking spot a little closer to the old mill where I wanted to start. Even walking downhill towards the bridge crossing the creek and leading into the park, I was sweating from this oppressive heat. As I walk across the open air bridge, I see a lot of people are seeking refuge from these temperatures near the small waterfall just below the bridge. I can't blame them, but I really need the exercise. 

I quickly get my bearings and head east along the creek. This part of the trail system runs right at the waters edge and in a couple of places, I have to maneuver carefully around and under some low hanging trees to avoid falling down the bank into the muddy waters below. After about a quarter-mile on this section, I hit a dead end. It might be possible to scramble up the tall bank to the another trail above, but not wanting to risk injury or a plunge, I decide to turn back.

From here the trail is straightforward and I basically do the internal loop of the park. There are a few small inclines, but overall the trail is well maintained and easy. At one point though, I do come upon a doe and her two adolescent fawns. She just stairs at me, but her young ones quickly dart away for the safety of the brush. It's never my intention to scare them, but I do really enjoy seeing these creatures out here in their natural environment. It's not that I don't see deer often. We generally see deer in our backyard once or twice a week, but it never gets old seeing these beautiful creatures. 

Following the twists and turns of the trail and eventually loop back to the bridge that I crossed earlier. I've actually been amazed at how many people are out walking (and even running) the trails on a day as hot as today, but I guess I'm here too. So, that's that. This was a pretty short hike of only about 3.2 miles, but it served its purpose. I had intended to do a second trail on my way home, but given the heat and knowing how exposed that other trail is, I may reconsider.

Cochran Mills (Fulton County, Georgia)

Today, I'll join the Meetup group to hike at one of my favorite parks in the greater Atlanta area, Cochran Mill. I love this particular park because it has a large trail system and a number of interesting water features, including a couple of waterfalls. I've hiked here many times, but if my schedule allows, I almost always join for this one when it gets posted.

Pulling into the parking area, I see several friends that are part of the group. I walk over and pay the $5 parking fee to get the tag for my car and then walk over to chat with my friends. It's a humid day and we have a pretty small group today, only about ten of us, which is quite unusual for this group. Ah well, smaller groups are easier to manage in my opinion. Before long, we hit the trails.

The first section takes us through a slightly overgrown and muddy section that has a lot of joro spiders with their webs strung across the trail. Luckily, one of my friends is using a hiking stick and uses it to clear the way for us. Along this section, we find a dead log completely covered with the turkey tail fungus, which is common in this area, but rarely do we see anything covered this heavily.

Soon, we reach the river and the trail opens up a bit more just before we hit the waterfall area. Last year when we hiked here, we encountered a copperhead in this area and so, we warn everyone to watch where they are stepping. Bear Creek is flowing nicely today and we take a few minutes to have a snack and water break on the granite near the waterfall.

Before too long though, we're moving again and this next section requires us to climb a very steep uphill. I take advantage and run up it. I don't often get a workout on our Sunday hikes, but when an opportunity presents itself, I try to take advantage. The remainder of the hike is pretty tame though we seem to be going a little faster today than normal, which is a welcome changes for me. Not that this group is slow, but I'm a very fast hiker and I love being able to cruise through these wooded areas in high gear.

After arriving back at the parking lot, I mention that I'm going to walk across the street to the other waterfall and ruins of the mill, but no one seems to be all that interested and they go their separate ways. There are few people over there enjoying the cool water on this hot day, but I only stay long enough for a picture of the mill ruins. With this little addition, my total distance was about 8.2 miles for the day. Not bad, but now it's time to go home and smoke some chicken on the grill.

Shoot the Hooch - Chattahoochee River Float (White County, Georgia)

**Please Note - photo credit (of me) to one of the members of the group

After four years, it's becoming something of an annual tradition for the Meetup group I often lead hikes for. Today we'll be "shooting the hooch" through Helen, GA once again. Helen is a charming little Georgia mountain town that a few decades ago decided to become Bavarian-inspired. In September of every year, tourists descend on this little village to celebrate Oktoberfest. The other thing Helen is famous for is that the Chattahoochee River runs right through the middle of the little village, though it's more of a very shallow creek here near it's headwaters. That said, I thought it would be good to get our float in before the crowds descend.

Meeting up with the other attendees at the appointed time, we did a quick round of introductions and then got everyone checked in at Cool River Tubing who offer a tube rental and shuttle service for those wanting to float the river. It's great fun, though there is not alcohol allowed, which has always struck me as kind of crazy. I floating down a mostly calm river in an innertube. Who could I possibly hurt other than myself? Ah well, it's still fun even without the booze.

As we step into the river with our tubes, the water seems cold, but we adjust very quickly. We're doing the long float today, which takes us about 2.5 miles through the shallow waters. Half the fun is getting stuck on rocks and having to get yourself unstuck. While there are a few people on the river today, it's not nearly as crazy as it will be in the weeks to come. The four people in my group are mostly able to stay together, though we tend to shuffle our position as each of us gets stuck on various rocks and other obstacles. At one point, I realize I've developed and already accidentally popped a blister on my thumb using the wheelbarrow handle they gave me to push myself off of rocks. Ah well, it's not a party until someone gets hurt. I do my best to protect it the rest of the way down the river. 

With about two hours on the river, we end up at the take out and reconvene our group before hoping on the shuttle bus that will take us back to our cars at the headwaters outpost on the other end of town. What a relaxing way to spend an afternoon. And now, we're going to visit a little winery sit atop a hill overlooking Mount Yonah on the other end of town. Life is good!

**Please Note - GPS track from last year's event