My knee has been bothering me since mid-week, so I wanted to do my Saturday hike in parts, in case I had to bail in the middle (as it turns out, the knee was better after the hike than before). I had run across a web site some time back talking about a new county trail just North of Cartersville, so I decided to go for that one, and another one just South of it. Since neither is in any guidebooks, I figured they would both be well-kept secrets. I would soon learn otherwise.
The first, the Pine Log Creek trail, was opened in November, 2007. It is on a small state route well away from I-75. The parking lot is easy to miss, but I managed to get there. I found that one car was already in the lot, belonging to a couple of boy scouts who had already completed the trail while waiting for the troop. One of them borrowed my phone to check on the group, which he found out was not coming.
The trail (4.6 mi, Climb: ****, Terrain: **, Interest: ***) has two loops. The west loop begins with a very strenuous climb to Ken Cannon overlook at 1,312 feet. 
The second loop descends to an old quarry which is now a picturesque lake. This trail was build by a professional trail company, and is well laid out. I ran into two other people during the hike, but otherwise had complete solitude.
After lunch involving food I should not have been eating, and on my way back the Interstate, I spotted a directional sign for a hiking trail. The sign pointed to the other side of the Interstate, which dead-ends into a hill. Not being able to stand an unknown trail, I followed the signs. I discovered the Pine Mountain trail, built very recently by the City of Cartersville.
This trail (4.9 mi, Climb: *****, Terrain: ***, Interest: ****) also exists in two loops. The West loop is for hikers only, and the East is shared with mountain bikes on Wednesdays and Saturdays (wish I had known this in advance). I started up the West loop, and was presented with another strenuous climb. I quickly started running into small groups of 20-something hikers, all dressed like mountain bikers who had just rode out of REI. The first group asked me if I had seen a large orange flag. Curious. As I got further up, I came across a clearing with more than 20 unattended mountain bikes. Half of the mystery was solved at this point.
I continued on a side trial, the sign indicating that it led to a summit. For my strenuous climb, I was treated to one of the best vistas I have encountered, this one atop Pine Mountain at 1,562 feet. This vantage point overlooks Cartersville, including a large lake. I lingered unusually long taking in the view.
I then proceeded back down the summit trail, where I picked up the east loop. Most of the bikes were now gone from the clearing, and I would soon learn why. I began meeting mountain bikers, always traveling in groups of 3. They all had laminated maps and compasses, and would frequently leave their bikes and go off into the woods.
In finally asked one group what they were up to. They indicated that they were part of an adventure race (I would learn later the Sandmann Adventure Race), which consists of biking, hiking, and canoeing. I would spend the balance of the day dodging bikes. They were all polite, frequently referring to me as “sir” (which really makes one feel old). The trail was wet, and with all of the bike traffic, it had turned to mud. I was having trouble keeping my footing in some sections. I was very close to sliding downhill on more than one occasion.
I began to get familiar with some of the biker groups, as I seemed to run into some of the same ones over and over. They seemed somewhat amazed that I was doing on foot what they were complaining about doing on bikes, and one even commented that I must be in good shape (quite an ego boost for a 50-something!!!).
I finished the East loop, and managed to get back to the bike-free West loop, and eventually to the parking lot.
Both of these trails were a great find in an area one would not expect to find them. They are both rated as strenuous, and while those who do these ratings are usually conservative, in this case, the rating was deserved.
Church was cancelled today due to anticipated poor street conditions. In addition, my family has been in Nashville, so I had no commitments for the entire day. Despite the really cold weather and remaining snow, I could not resist taking advantage.
I decided to go south, where at least it would be a few degrees warmer. I headed back to F D Roosevelt State Park, intending to do the Big Poplar Loop (7.8 mi, Climb: ***, Terrain: ***, Interest: ***). While I have done loops involving the Pine Mountain Trail, they never included much of it. This loop was of interest in that over 5 miles of it is on the PMT.
For those unfamiliar with the PMT, it is a 23 mile trail following the Pine Mountain ridge, a surprisingly high elevation for this far South. Its design and layout are very reminiscent of the AT, other than the lack of huge elevation changes.
While driving through the park on my way to the trailhead, I quickly discovered that Pine Mountain received significantly more snow that we did in Atlanta, and most of it was still there. 
All of the snow was helping to keep the temperature down, but it had managed to climb to a balmy 24 degrees at that point. After I parked, loaded up with my gear, I quickly discovered a problem – I could not find the trail for the snow! After wandering around briefly, I discovered one feature of snow that would benefit me for the entire hike – it leaves lingering footprints. Thankfully, some fellow diehards had preceded me. I realized that given conditions, we could all be wrong, but I discarded that notion when I ran into a group of Scouts within the first half mile.
I discovered before too long into the trip that hiking in snow requires significantly more energy
than hiking in normal conditions. I was working pretty hard to keep traction, and had to lift my feet more to slog through it. While I don’t normally use a walking stick, I picked up one pretty quickly just to help with traction. It was of course harder to follow the trail, but I was blessed to have footprints to follow the entire way. The only time a got disoriented was when I took a brief detour across a stream to a camp site for a bathroom break (not a fun experience at 24 degrees).
With nothing but snow for mile after mile, it is harder to keep track of your progress. Fortunately, the PMT has a marker and stack of rocks every mile. Further, all trail junctions are well marked, and have mileage listed.
Given my somewhat legalistic background, I had an occasional twinge of guilt about not finding some church to attend, even as it seems that more than half of the ones in Atlanta had cancelled. I began to recall some recent reading in Paul Gardner’s commentary on Ephesians, and thinking about how our culture equates church with a building and formal service. Don’t get me wrong – I do believe assembling every week corporately as believers is important. Ephesians however makes it clear that the church is the uniting of God’s people through the world in his service. Paul Gardner feels it is very important to see the church in this context, and it makes sense to me.
I finished in 3:38, much longer than it would normally take me to cover 8 miles, but given conditions, I was pleased with my effort. I would not want to hike in snow every week, but it is definitely an exhilarating and worthwhile experience.
With a rare snow day in Atlanta, and a new camera, I could not resist a walk through the snow and some practice with the camera.
Given the prediction of rain and snow for Saturday, I decided to get my hike in a day early this week. I left work early in the afternoon (as usual, not nearly as early as I thought), and went to Little Mulberry, a Gwinnett county park. It is one of the newer parks in the county, and certainly the largest at 890 acres. I had read mixed reviews of it, so I decided to check it out in person.
The good news about this park is how well developed it is. The trails are well marked, properly laid out, and cover diverse and interesting terrain.
The bad news is how well developed it is. My knees do not particularly like hiking on packed gravel or concrete/asphalt, and many of my tax dollars were spent on such improvements, along with considerable non-essential stone work.
I started on the West Meadow Trail (1.0 mi, Climb: **, Terrain: **, Interest: **), a wide asphalt trail that circles a large meadow. After a short distance, I turned onto the Ravine Loop Trail (2.2 mi, Climb: ***, Terrain: ***, Interest: ***), a packed gravel trail that runs along a surprisingly high ridge, and then climbs down to a small stream. This trail features a number of stacked rock mounds that are thought to have been put there by native Americans. 
After not finding the Beech Tree connector trail, which is obviously a figment of a map maker’s imagination, I found my way back to the West Meadow Trail, which I followed to the East Mulberry Trail (4.75 mi, Climb: ****, Terrain: ***, Interest: ****).
Unlike the other trails in the park, this one is dirt, leaves and rocks. I immediately felt right at home, grateful to be free of asphalt and packed gravel! While this trail included some difficult climbs, it had rewarding views of the surrounding area, and Miller Lake, some distance away.
It occurred to me that it was odd that I had such a strong preference for rocky, challenging trails (Alert – spiritual insight coming), while in life, I always seek the easy, wide, level path. This is particularly poignant with my problems at work. I am experiencing the most difficult time in my 35+ year career (I have never had to lay off three people in the same day before), and yet I am convinced that God wants me where I am. I need to learn to embrace the challenges the same way that I look forward to the challenges of a steep, rocky trail. I can only do this by trusting his plan for my life.
I intersected the East Meadow Trail (1.0 mi, Climb: **, Terrain: **, Interest: ***), yet another asphalt trail circling yet another meadow, and did the Pond Trail (.7 mi, Climb: **, Terrain: **, Interest: **) for good measure.
Overall, this park is a great facility, which I am blessed to have in my backyard. The day was made all the better by dinner with my brother at Five Guys Burgers!
There is a new addition to my high tech gear – a Canon PowerShot SD950 camera. I am NOT a photographer, but I kept finding sights I wanted to remember, and with the camera on my phone having a resolution of 2 micro pixels, I needed something better.
Through the courtesy of a credit card company who shall remain nameless, and who has been charging me annual fees for years, I was able to obtain the camera using points long accumulated.
I had four primary selection criteria:
1) Easy to use (as stated above, I am NOT a photographer).
2) Small (I did not want to lug a big camera up mountains).
3) A real viewfinder (the LCD can be hard to use in bright light).
4) Did I say easy to use?
The SD950 had the above features and many more. The lens retracts back into the camera and is covered automatically when turned off, making the carrying size quite small. The LCD screen is large and works surprisingly well in bright light.
I give the SD950 high marks, so far. Stay tuned for pictures.
I have really wanted to do a hike that truly challenged me, and if you hike seriously in Georgia, that usually involves Blood Mountain, which at 4,461 feet is the highest point on the AT in the state. I had spread my guide books and maps out a few weeks ago, and mapped out a route that would take me over Blood Mountain via Lake Winfield Scott. I was not going to be satisfied like most to hike to the top and back however. I wanted to go down the other side, and catch an alternate trail back.
True to my usual nature, I decided to do it mid-week, and then thought of various reasons why I should “chicken out” the rest of the week. I was not 100% certain what I would do until I got near Suches, but I decided to go for it.
With the recent murder in the area, I confess to being a bit apprehensive. I took some comfort in the fact that when I drove by Woody Gap, the parking lot was already half full. I arrived at Lake Winfield Scott at 10 AM, pulling into the parking lot next to a group of Scouts on their first backpacking trip. It seemed as if I would have plenty of company.
I hiked up to the AT via the Jarrad Gap Trail (1.2 mi, Climb: ***, Terrain: ***, Interest: ****). I then went North on the AT toward Blood Mountain. The AT is fairly steep in this area, and Blood Mountain periodically comes into view, making me constantly rethink my agenda. It is roughly 2.3 miles from Jarrad Gap to Slaughter Gap, where the ascent of Blood Mountain really begins. By the time I got to Slaughter Gap, I was already pretty winded.
I pressed ahead, and began the climb. I was close to a small group of Asian tourists with a professional guide a good bit of the way up, passing them at points, and having them pass me. I guess this distracted me from the climb, which seemed anti-climactic at that point. Before I realized it, I was on the summit, with my Asian friends, and yet another group of Scouts. 
I am not sure my vocabulary includes sufficient words for the view from Blood Mountain. It is both breathtaking and incredible, causing me to suspend Rule #1. There are numerous large rocks at the top from which you can take in various vistas. I was also able to take a quick look inside the historic Blood Mountain Shelter (nice place to visit, but I would not want to stay there), which is literally right at the top.
I found myself on top of one of the rocks with the Asian group and guide, so I took the liberty of asking him some important questions, such as how far it was to down to the side trail, and more importantly, the location of the privy, of which I was in desperate need by this time.
After a suitable visit, I began the descent on the North side. It was slow going, because there were numerous vista opportunities, all of which I 
wanted to take in. I found the Freeman Trail (1.8 mi, Climb: **, Terrain: *****, Interest: ****) after 1.3 miles, as the guide promised. It was build as a bypass for the AT over Blood Mountain in the event of inclement weather. One of the reasons I decided to use this trail on the return trip was the fact that it had little elevation change. As I would soon learn, there is more to a trail that elevation change! The guide had warned me to be careful because of the number of rocks and boulders on this trail. He did not exaggerate! I can generally keep a steady 3 MPH pace, even in the mountains. It took be an hour just to do this trail however. To do this trail, one must be part hiker and part mountain goat, with numerous rock climbs required at vaious places.
That being said, if you take the time to look around, Freeman is a very scenic trail. The path crosses over no less that 4 descent waterfalls. I feared I would be alone the whole time on this trail, but was surprised at the number of other hikers I met.
During my stretch on Freeman, I was thinking on and off about work, primarily the decisions I have to make next week that will have a dramatic impact on people’s lives. I was experiencing surprising peace about the situation however.
Freeman is very poorly blazed, and with the number of rocks that must be climbed, it can be hard to follow. I would find myself walking on a section of clearly defined trail, but fretting about what would happen 100 yards ahead when I could not see where the trail was headed. I would invariably get to that point, and then be able to see where the trail went. It occurred to me that this was a metaphor for my life. Even when my footing is secure, I am always looking 100 yards ahead, and trying to figure out where life will take me. God would clearly have me concern myself with the section of trail I am on at any given moment, and not worry about where it goes well ahead of me.
I finally got back to the AT at Bird Gap, and started South back toward Jarrad Gap. It seemed much longer on the trip back that it did on the way up, even though the return was mostly downhill. I did derive a certain satisfaction when I passed the Asian group. In the time it took them to eat lunch at the top, and make the trip back down, I went all the way down the other side, all the way around on Freeman, and caught them about a mile South on the AT.
I set out to do a hike that truly challenged me, and at a total time of 4.5 hours (with less than 15 minutes of that stopped), I achieved my goal. I am pleased with myself today, but I may decide I am too old for this tomorrow when my sore muscles make themselves known.
My original plan for the day was to finally scale Blood Mountain, approaching via the Slaughter Creek Trail. With the missing hiker and the “person of interest” in that area however, I thought it best to alter my plan. I elected to hike in Unicoi State Park outside of Helen as an alternative. I started the day a bit on the grumpy side however at having to alter my original plans.
I began with the Unicoi to Helen Trail (3.0 mi one way, Climb: **, Terrain: **, Interest: ***). The Bottoms Loop trail detours off of the main trail, and I took that detour on the way down. The first part of the trail was very nondescript, with a good bit of deforestation due to pine beetles (I had to remind myself of rule #1: “It’s about the hike, stupid”), but when the trail joined Smith Creek, it quickly became more interesting. 
I had timed my trip so I hit the town of Helen about lunch time. The schedule did not work quite as well as intended however, making me a bit grumpier. The trail comes into a nice park right behind the main business district, making it very convenient. I did accomplish lunch, and began back immediately thereafter, retracing my steps. I detoured around the short nature trail on the way back, which unfortunately was not very interesting this time of year.
During the reverse trip, I was thinking about having been grumpy as a result of the world not conforming to my plans or schedules, and I could not help but wonder if God finds my insistence that he conform to my plans a bit amusing, in the way a parent is somewhat amused by the antics of a misbehaving child. I finished the day with some conviction about being more flexible and sensitive to God’s leading. (As I write this, I now know that the missing hiker was most likely murdered, and in an area I was very close to on the same day. I am thankful for God’s protection, but my thoughts constantly turned to the missing hiker and her family the entire weekend).
After a brief stop at the Lodge for a restroom break, I decided to head the short distance to Anna Ruby Falls. I have visited Anna Ruby Falls previously. While it is a beautiful waterfall, I would not have made the trip for that alone. I was more interested in the Smith Creek Trail (4.8 mi one way, Climb: ****, Terrain: *****, Interest: ****). I did not have time for a round trip, nor did I have transportation to get from the end back to my car. As such, I decided to hike in as far as I had time for, to get a feel for it in preparation for a later visit.
Surprisingly, I found the hike up the paved road to the falls (0.8 mi, Climb: ****, Terrain: **, Interest: ****) to be the most difficult. I do not walk well on steep pavement, and the asphalt path is very steep at a few points.
While the Smith Creek Trail is considered very challenging, I felt far more at home there. It is very narrow, and runs along a steep ridge. At one point, I literally had to hug a tree to let a group of hikers going the opposite direction pass me. The section I did really wet my appetite to hike the entire trail.
The hike down from the falls on the pavement was quite a bit easier going down. I found my car and headed back to Norcross, quite tired, and hopefully a bit wiser and more flexible.
I decided to wait until after I had been up for awhile this morning to see if my legs were too sore from the 12 miles yesterday to do any hiking (and they have to be really sore for me to pass). I was a bit surprised to find that other than some initial stiffness getting out of bed (which at 51 is a fact of life), I was actually not sore at all, unlike yesterday before the hike (attributable to a long hike on concrete in bad shoes). I got out 50 Hikes in the North Georgia Mountains by Johnny Molloy, a Chirstmas present from my family. I decided to drive to Woody Gap, a fairly easy trip from Atlanta, and to hike as far as felt like North on the AT toward Blood Mountain (6.0 mi, Climb: ****, Terrain: ***, Interest: ****).
This is a breathtaking section of the AT (because of the view, and the wind chill today which was in the teens), with a total climb both ways of just over 1,300 feet. There is one particular vista where the trail comes out on a huge rock outcropping (GPS N34 41.230 W83 59.645) , which 
affords a 200 degree unobstructed view to the East, made all the better by a crystal clear day.
The trail was heavily covered in fallen leaves in certain sections, obscuring the rocks and roots below, thus making walking upright a challenging. My mind wondered off to the fact that God knows the number of those leaves, which in turn recalled a minor incident from Saturday.
I had my oldest nephews and niece over to spend the night and have a wii fest (S. age 13, C. age 11, and M. age 8). On Saturday afternoon, I took them to the Jones Bridge Park to show them one of the “secret trails” in the woods near my house. On the way back, we walked by a stream with a bank about 5 feet high, and we all marveled at the interesting pattern the recent rains had made in the soft sand in the streambed. S., a bit of a science nerd like his Uncle, studied the sand pattern, while at the same time, C., suddenly jumped off the bank, imbedding his shoes and feet in the soft sand. This prompted me to speak somewhat sharply to C. about such an impulsive act.
It seems that C. needs to experience God’s great creation by actually experiencing it, in contrast to my having spent most of my life just studying it. I guess this partially explains my sudden interest in hiking, because I am now experiencing first hand what I have heretofore only studied from a safe distance. I now regret speaking sharply to C., as it seems he is years ahead of me!
