Palisades East to the Bamboo Forest (Fulton County, Georgia)

Trying to make the most of my Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area day pass, I also wanted to hike to the bamboo forest of the Palisades East unit. Originally, I had tried to park at the main trailhead, but it was absolutely packed and there was no parking to be found. I guess everyone is trying to get some outdoor time on this beautiful Valentine's Day afternoon. As an alternative, I headed to the Indian Trail parking area of this unit. It was similarly busy with cars lining sides of the gravel road, but fortunately, I was able to locate a spot to park my car.

Walking back up the road just a short ways, I quickly entered the woods and began hiking the trails of this unit. The follow the small gulches cut by the rain waters as it follows the path of least resistance on its way to the river below. Some of the trails are a little precarious and full of roots and rocks. I step carefully, but before long reach the old ruins and then head north right along the Chattahoochee River and all of it's shoals.

After only about a quarter-mile, the tall straight stalks of bamboo come into view and soon, I'm surrounded by them. This always seems a magical place to me. While there is a lot of the invasive bamboo scattered around the southeast, this area is home to some of the oldest and largest I know of. Also, sitting right alongside the river gives it a certain charm. It's actually difficult for me to believe now, but when I first moved her several years ago, I searched and searched for this place with little luck. Now, getting there is like second nature to me.

I spend a few minutes taking in my beautiful surroundings. The tall, green stalks surrounding me, the wide river full of brown, rocky shoals sticking up out of the water pass before me, and the distant hills on the other side of the river, all add to the character of this place. What a great day to be alive. And now, I have to get back home to get ready for dinner and my other reason for being alive - my amazing wife. I put in another 2.2 miles at this unit, which still isn't a lot of mileage on this holiday weekend, but hopefully, it will be dry enough on Monday, that I can get a few more.