Zahnd Half-Loop (Walker County, Georgia)

Just a few miles south of Lula Lake Land Trust is the Zahnd Wilderness Management Area. I've seen great things about the trails here and have wanted to visit for some time. The distance from my house combined with the various hunting seasons that are popular here have deterred me in the past, but with my Lands Pass paid for and on my phone, I decided today would be a great day to check it out. 

There are only two other cars in the parking lot when I arrive. After getting my bearings, I head into the lush forest along the obvious trail. There are a few side trails though and it would be easy to become disoriented in here. This trail system meanders about a large group of gigantic house-sized boulders that are common near Lookout Mountain. Many of the boulder piles have been partially covered with earth over the eons, but others sit prominently on the ground. I take particular note of one such boulder that moderately sized tree has found a spot to grow through. It's almost as if the rock is giving the tree a hug. It will be interesting to see what this looks like in years to come as the tree outgrows the small nook it has grown through. 

Continuing on, I reach an area atop a large pile of boulders. Many of the cavities between rocks have been filled in with earth, but some allow a view into the abyss. The surface itself, where other free-standing boulders aren't blocking the way, has been covered with a mint green, cushy moss making for a surreal image. The trail through this area is a little challenging to find, but eventually, I do make way onward.

The next section takes me to a small waterfall, probably twenty or so feet tall. Unfortunately, the view is heavily obscured by the rich foliage. I'm also forced to make a small water crossing here just above the waterfall. The other side offers no better view of the waterfall thought and I continue along the trail.

After another quarter-mile or so, I reach a muddy area where the creek has spread out to form something of a bog with no clear path for the water or the trail. I spend a few minutes scanning the area to figure out where the trail continues, but I'm at something of a loss. I'm sure I could find it, but doing so would require me to wade through knee deep water and muck. I decide against this. Even though I would like to complete the loop, I'm really not looking to go swamping today. And so, I return the way I came settling for a half-loop.

Route-finding my way back to my car is a bit easier, since I know what I'm looking for this time and I eventually get back to the parking area. It's hot and I'm sweating, but I'm glad I made the stop to check this area out. It really is a great hike. The odd terrain created by the boulders makes it very interesting and appealing to explorers. I wish I could have completed the full loop hike, but I settle for the 1.8 miles I was able to get.