Appalachian Trail - Gooch Gap to Cooper's Gap (Union County, Georgia)

 

Continuing my quest to complete all sections of Georgia's portion of the Appalachian Trail this year, I posted a section from Gooch Gap to Cooper's Gap on the Meetup as an event. My event descriptions always tend to be very descriptive and detailed of the hike in an effort to ensure those that join me are up to the challenge. I don't mean to be harsh, but I am trying to scare people off. I've had far too many "I walk around my neighborhood twice a week" folks try to jump into 10+ mile mountainous hikes over the years. That said, my event had a few signups and after driving the 1.5 hours to the Gooch Gap parking area just south of Suches, GA, I met up with the five other hikers that would be joining me today. I knew a couple of them from past events, but it's always good to meet new folks with common interests.

At the appointed time, we did a quick round of introductions and I explained our plan for the day. With that, we were southbound on the Appalachian Trail. I had listed the hike with a 2.5ish mph pace, but I've been feeling pretty good and pushed the up to 3-3.25 mph. I asked the group if anyone objected and if anyone had voiced a concern, I would have slowed it down. However, everyone here seemed to be in good hiking shape and welcomed the faster pace.

The trail is so well maintained this time of year, as a large 2024 class of thru-hikers would have passed through this section in the past couple of weeks. We also encountered a few late-starters who had only begun their 2200 mile odyssey a couple of days ago. All of us gave them words of encouragement as they take those steps towards Mount Katahdin in Maine. Along our route, I point out the white blazes to my companions. These single white vertical lines on some of the trees mark the AT and ensure hikers are going the right way.

With a couple of minor water crossings, we finally reach Cooper's Gap and stop for quick snack break. We've been keeping a great pace and arrived here almost thirty minutes sooner than I had planned. The group seems to be in good spirits and welcomes the short break. I remind everyone to drink plenty of water. It's a gorgeous day with temperatures hovering in the low sixties right now. The sun is shining and a light breeze passes over us as we sit around someone's abandoned campsite here at the parking area.

After twenty minutes or so, I ask if everyone is ready to head back and get nods of agreement. We quickly put our packs back on and head back the way we came. The pace is similar and everyone comments about how quickly we seemed to arrive at the turn. It's always nice to hike with fast people. It makes me feel like I'm actually getting some good exercise.

As we make our way along the undulating trail, I note that one of the hikers has fallen behind a little bit. When I ask, it seems she's getting some cramps and has taken some salt pills to try help. We continue on, but I keep an eye on her and one of the other hikers agrees to hang back a bit to help her.

With only a mile or so to the cars, I tell those that are hanging with me that we'll go ahead and make for the trailhead and that I'll wait around to ensure everyone makes it safely. They seem to like that plan, though everyone is a little concerned about our comrade. As the cars at the parking area come into site, I announced that we've made it and congratulate everyone on a job well done. All but one of the hikers decides to stick around until the last two joins us at the trail head, which happens just a few minutes later. The troubled hiker is tired, but in good spirits. I remind her to keep drinking water and to get some electrolytes into her, which we offer her from our collective stash. She's seems fine and we all head home.

Today's hike was just at 9.6 miles with nearly 1,700' feet of elevation gain. In the way I've divided the Georgia sections of the AT up, this is number 4. I'm not necessarily doing them in order, but more by convenience. It will probably be late into the fall before I finish out all of the sections, but I'm looking forward to checking them off of my 'to do' list. This section was actually quite pretty, though I think a lot of that perception was based on what a fabulous day it was to be outside.

Chicopee Woods (Hall County, Georgia)

 I was supposed to run a 5k early this morning, but overslept. To ensure I still got some exercise, I made the last minute decision to join the Meetup group for a hike around Chicopee Woods, which isn't too far from my house. After a short twenty-five minute drive and paying the $5 daily fee, I drove to the meeting point. There are a lot of cars with bike racks here. I know these trails are popular among mountain bikers, but I wasn't expecting this many. I quickly locate my group, who are a bit surprised to see me since I only signed up on the website a few minutes before leaving my house.

After our customary round of introductions, we head into the woods. The trails are well marked and well maintained, but these first trails we're on are the kind that I really don't enjoy. The trails cut back and forth to add mileage for mountain bikers, while not actually going anywhere. Soon though, we depart this area and get deeper into the woods where the trails open up. They still cut back and forth, but in much wider loops and around ridges, which is far more interesting to me.

Soon, we hit a crossroads with a gravel road where the ruins of a structure are half-buried in a hill. Up top, I can see what I think is a boiler and below is some intricate brickwork, but after walking around what remains, I'm at a loss to make a call on what this building was. No one else is really sure either. It's always interesting to see these kinds of abandon pieces of civilization in the woods.

Making our way further in, we get passed by a number of mountain bikers. We call them out as they approach and everyone in our well-trained group steps off of the trail and gives the bikes plenty of room. However, a couple of the bikers mouth off about hiking other trails instead of these. Before I can respond, they are already gone, but it puts me in a pretty foul mood and I start pushing the pace a bit to satiate my anger. Before I know it, I'm a good distance ahead of the main group, though a couple of hikers have managed to keep up with me. I go for a while longer, but eventually decide to stop and allow the group to catch up.

Once everyone has reached this clearing and had a couple of minutes to catch their breath, I head out again and what someone calls a "blistering pace". Still charged from the mountain biker encounter, I continue pushing hard and before I know it, I've opened up that big gap again. Luckily, there is a junction and not knowing which way our organizer wants to go, I stop and wait for the group.

The day goes on like this and without really noticing it, we've already put in just over eight miles and still have a ways to go before getting back to the cars. I mention this to the organizer. "I guess we'll get a few bonus miles today", he says. I don't mind that at all. The more the better. I've got a couple of big hikes coming up later this year and need the exercise.

Finally, we reach the parking area having hiked about 11.3 miles in total. The elevation gain was only around 800', but that's still a decent day and with the pace I maintained throughout, I feel like a got a pretty good workout. The trails here were actually pretty nice, especially after that first section. We say our goodbyes and head off.

One final note - When I returned home, I looked up this trail system and as it turns out, it is on private property and foot traffic is not allowed. These trails are exclusively for mountain bikers. I didn't realize that when we were out there, but perhaps those mouthy bikers were actually in the right.

Sweetwater Creek (Douglas County, Georgia)

 Sweetwater Creek State Park is one of my favorite parks in the Atlanta area. The wide creek and historical ruins always make for an interesting hiking destination. I had signed up to do this hike with the Meetup group several weeks ago, but with the heavy rains the Atlanta area has received over the last week, I thought it make the hike even more of an adventure. I was right.

After doing our normal round of introductions, we hit the trail and headed east from the parking area. Unfortunately, the large foot bridge that crosses the creek and leads to the northern section of the park is under construction and we're unable to cross. This forces us to double-back a ways and head south alongside the raging brown waters of the creek.

I can honestly say that I've never seen this creek flowing with this much fury. There is so much water traversing over the shallow rock formations that it makes for something like a class 4 rapid right now. We pass by the ruins of the old Manchester Mill and continue along the trails. In places the waters are almost washing out the trail, but with a fair amount of rock scrambling and sinking our feet in the mud, we're able to continue along the southern loop trail Some of the vistas are fantastic

All along the way, I enjoy great conversations with the other hikers as I always do with this group. Eventually, we reach a point where one of the feeder creeks has washed out the trail and we're forced to turn back. No matter, this park has many miles of trails and we quickly adjust our plans and continue on. 

Finally returning to the parking area, we've put in about 7.6 miles and will call it a day at this point. The views of the raging waters made this truly a fantastic hike and I'm really glad I decided to join the group for it. 

Ichetucknee Springs - Blue Hole (Columbia County, Florida)

 

My final stop on this long road trip brings me to Ichetuckee Springs. I had thought the trail listed as Blue Hole might be interesting to check out. After parking my car, I followed the rangers directions and walked along a long boardwalk that eventually returned me to solid ground and on a well maintained gravel trail. Apparently, this place is quite popular. After about half-a-mile, I reach the Blue Hole spring, which has an observation deck built over it. 

Some teenage swimmers are dipping in the water, which is a rich blue color and reminds me of what the eyes of Fremen must look like in Frank Herbert's Dune fantasy world. I take a few shots of the spring and in the distance of a number of large soft-shell turtles sunning themselves on fallen trees. 

Afterwards, I return the way I came and check out a few other features of the park. It really is great to see all of these spring-fed creeks down here and the crystal clear water. It brings back memories of kayaking through these areas a couple of years ago in search of manatees. For now though, I must finish my journey home.

Devils Millhopper (Alachua County, Florida)

 

When I was planning my Everglades trip, I looked for interesting sites to visit on my way home. Devil's Millhopper was one such sight. I really didn't know what to expect of a state geological park, but I was pleasantly surprised. When I arrived at the parking area, there as a group yoga event going on. I tried my best not to disrupt them and headed for the trails, as I only have a few minutes to explore here.

I quickly found the trail leading into the giant sinkhole, which was formed from dissolved limestone. The steps lead some one hundred feet down toward the bottom of the spectacle. There are a number of springs the flow down into these depths and seep further into the ground. As I understand it, they feed an underground aquifer. Ferns and fallen trees line the steep sides of the sinkhole. It's a really interesting feature and somewhat unique in my experience. With my time spent though, I must return to my car and head to my next destination.

Silver Glen Springs (Marion County, Florida)

 

I'm not entirely sure of when I became aware of Silver Glen Springs, but I suspect it was one of those interest-tracking algorithms on Facebook. Anyway, on my way home from a week in the Everglades, I decided to make a stop here and check it out. Arriving early, there was almost no one in the area yet, but I still had to pay a $12 admission to just spend a few minutes walking the trails.

First I explored the Spring Boils Trail, which actually leads away from the major spring and into a temperate rain forest. The path is a mix of board walk and sandy soil, and the moisture this early in the morning is palpable. When I reach the end of the trail, I'm greeted with a very unusual sight. An observation deck overlooks a number of churning springs in the clear water just a few feet beyond. Apparently, the spring water bubbles up and stirs the ever present sand. It's really unique and worth a look if you're in the area.

From here, I walk back the way I came and attempt to find a good view of Silver Glen Springs itself. Disappointingly, there are a number of boats just outside a barrier and orange cones and floating buoys mar what would be a spectacular view. Large fish gather around the spewing water. Apparently, this spring discharges an amazing 65 million gallons of water per day. From looking at it from a distance, that seems pretty reasonable. It's a torrent rising to the surface of this blue within blue pool. I just wish the people hadn't spoiled it and we could see it in it's natural state.