Settles Bridge Trail (Gwinnett County, Georgia)

 It's been a little while since I've been out with the hiking group and with a big hike coming up in a couple of weeks, I thought it would be a good time to make an appearance. Add to that the choice of hikes today, Settles Bridge, which I've only visited briefly when I first moved to Georgia and it seemed like a great choice.

I met with the group a few minutes before the event time and we did our customary round of introductions before hitting the trail. It's a smaller group than normal for some reason, but I'm perfectly find with that. Sometimes, these groups can become difficult to manage when they get to fifty or sixty people, which is fairly common with this group. The initial part of the trail takes us along the Chattahoochee River along a well-worn dirt trail, but after a short distance, our group leader has us take a side trail into the woods. The air is think with humidity today, but not nearly as bad as it will be in a couple of months. 

Eventually, we end up on a wooden foot bridge where two police officers greet us. Apparently, this is private property that we are now on (though, it wasn't marked anywhere that any of us could see). One of the homeowners from the local HOA had apparently reviewed the groups schedule and set up an ambush. The officers were very friendly and after a brief chat, we did a road-walk back towards the park. Rather annoying, but I realize the officers are just doing their job. No damage done.

Returning to the parking lot with only about five or so miles, we stop for a snack. Some of the hikers in the group decide this has been enough for them and take off, while the bulk of the group decides to head down a second path and visit the actual Settles Bridge, for which the park is named. The bridge was built in 1880 as a steel frame bridge with a wooden deck. All that remains now is the steel super-structure, as the wood has long since rotted away. Apparently, it's the oldest bridge still in any kind of condition still spanning the Chattahoochee. We pause here for just a few minutes while some of the hikers dip their feet in the cooling waters.

After that, we pretty much head straight back to the parking lot. It was a good hike and it was great to see some of my hiking friends that I haven't seen in a while. Good folks and good discussions while getting some miles is always a great way to spend a day. Our total distance was about 7.9 miles, which is not bad. It will serve as a decent warm up for the bigger hike I have coming up in a few days.