Hikefest 2009

With the family in Nashville, I decided to take full advantage of the day off. I knew I was heading North to the mountains, but I did not decide until I got to Dahlonega/Helen fork where I was headed. I picked the Helen route, and ended up first at the Smithgall Woods Conservation Area. This is one of the largest state parks in Georgia, centered around the remnants of a major mining operation from the 1800's (the first US gold rush). I hiked 2 miles on the main road to reach the trailhead for the Martin's Mine trail, which features the remnants of an actual gold mine.

I started back on the main road, and turned off for the Ash Creek trail, which climbs a couple of ridges, leading to a wet ankle crossing of Ash Creek, not terribly pleasant given the cold temperature.

As I neared the end, I was really getting hungry, having had nothing but a snack bar since 6 AM. I soon discovered that the trail dead ended into Dukes Creek, a wide and rapid creek approximately 3 feet deep. On the other side, the short end of the trail and the main road beckoned. Had it been warmer, I would have taken my shoes off and crossed it, but today, I had no option but to backtrack the entire 1.5 miles, and another wet ankle (or wet sock in this case)crossing.

After a quick lunch at Unicoi State Park, I decided to take the 9 mile drive to Unicoi Gap, and do a section of the AT. I arrived at the parking lot, and after a moment of indecision about which direction to go, I headed North. This may not have been the best choice, as it turned out to be one of the most difficult AT sections I have done. It climbs 1,100 feet in 1.2 miles with no mercifully flat sections, all while enduring 25 MPH sustained winds.


All the climbing was worthwhile however, because at the top, I was rewarded with a breathtaking view of the mountains to the South. And, the good news continued - the return trip was all downhill!

I was also rewarded with some enlightening thoughts about how God uses seemingly small events to do great things. For example, the dental hygienist I knew in passing from Miami, who moved to Atlanta and has been taking care of my teeth for 27 years. Last year, she asked if she could give my contact info to a young patent she just started treating that was just diagnosed with Crohn's Disease. We exchanged a few emails, which ultimately led to me serving with her at Act Together Ministries.

I wonder what God will start tomorrow?

The Blind Leading the Blind?

I usually ride my bike instead of hiking on very hot days, but thanks to an accident involving my car carrier coming off, and a family medical crisis, my bike was not in working order. As such, I braved the heat and revisited Pine Mountain in Cartersville. it is a relatively short trail with a great view. Unfortunately, I forgot that it has more ups and downs in a short distance that most sections of the AT. Not my first choice on a 97 degree day.

I started with the ascent to the crest of Pine Mountain, which involves a 600+ foot climb in half a mile. The view of Lake Allatoona (which happily is full) is worth the trip however, and thinks to the Boy Scouts there is now a bench on top when you can sit and take in the view.

The trail system consists of two loops with another trail connecting them. This makes it exceedingly difficult to get lost. That being said, and despite this being only my second visit, I would end up helping an individual and a family find their way down. I had encountered a family with small kids a few times, and when I got to the high portion of the east loop, they were stopped. They flagged me down, and asked for help. Not long after I got them on their way, a running stopped me and wanted to know how to get back to the main parking lot. I never saw either again, but I assume they made it down.

I guess the only thing you need to be a guide is more knowledge than the person you are guiding. Not a bad way to look at my Christian witness as well.

Harbins Park

I managed to beat the weather today and get in a hike. Today's destination was Harbins Park, a new, and now the largest, park in the Gwinnett County system at over 1,700 acres. Even though they have only developed the initial phases, the trails and facilities are extensive. The price you pay is that it is truely in the boonies of the county - in Dacula.

I initially turned into the wrong entrance, and found myself in a partking lot dedicated to the equestrian trails. After a quick look at the map, I go to the right place.

This park has over 4 miles of general purpose paved trails, 7 miles of equestrian, 7 miles of mountain bike, and a 4.35 mile hiking trail (we hikers always get the short end). I started out on the 1 mile paved loop, which took me quickly to the start of the hiking trail.

The trail is well laid out, but traction can be difficult on the compacted clay/sand surface when wet (and it rained overnight). I slid down more than one water diversion hill. Before long, I came to the first bridge, crossing a small screen. I have come to expect the bridges in Gwinnett parks to be overkill, and I was not disappointed. I hadn's seen anything yet.

The trail continued winding up, down, and around for some time, on occasion crossing the equestrian or mountain bike trails. Aound 3.5 miles in, I turned the corner to find the granddaddy of all bridges. There was a large outcropping (which I suspect is part of Stone Mountain). Rather than just letting hikers just walk across the rock (which I did anyway), they built an elaborate, winding bridge over it. While I admired the construction of the bridge, I wished that my tax dollers were spent more wisely.

I finally came to the end of the hiking trail. Since I was not yet fully engulfed in sweat from the high humidity, I hiked a portion of one of the equistrian trails. This trail had a bravel base, and was much easier to navigate.

Since I have just scratched the surface on this park, I look forward to returning and visiting my tax money!

The Blue Herons, They Do Taunt Me!

For those of you who have followed this blog, you know that I have been on a quest to get a good photo of a blue heron, if for no other reason that the personal satisfaction (I guess some of my Father's drive as a professional photographer rubbed off on me after all).

At the last minute, I decided to play hookie from the gym, and hike the trails along the Chattahoochee near my house. Since it was an impromptu hike, I was without gadgets. Not long after I left the park and headed into the woods, I happened upon a fisherman climbing back to the trail from the river, and behind him, a blue heron perched on a branch in a wonderfully picturesque pose. He seemed completely oblivious to the fisherman (who was just a few feet from him), and me (not much further away). Naturally, no camera. If I had one, he would have been long gone before I got that close, just for sport. In desperation, I grabbed my aging cell phone and attempted a picture, only to have it die on me. Of well, Heron 3, Robert 0.

As I was walking through Jones Bridge Park, I came across a sign about the history of the park and the bridge which I had not paid attention to before. It discussed the fact that prior to the bridge being built in 1904, a ferry was operated in that location by the property owner. I imagined the operator living in a house near the river, with a bell on the outside. Given the nature of the business, I imagined him having to respond to the bell, night or day.

As my brother will confirm, starting BIZTech in our day is somewhat similar. We need every customer we can get, which means we are often on a short leash to the ones we have.

One of the nice things about hiking is that you see new things, even on trails you have done before. My normal route takes me behind fiserv (aka Checkfree, aka SSI, aka Stockholder Systems). I discovered that I could get across a stream on the far side of the property, where the trail continued along the river. I ran out of daylight before I ran out of trail.

Looking forward to next time, WITH camera.

A Walk Along the Shore

Well, a bit of an exaggeration, but read on.

It has been some time since my last post. With a new business starting (shameless plug - see www.biztechstore.com), bad weather, and repeat hikes, I have not really taken the time. Today, with good weather forecast (which sadly did not materialize until I was just about done), and a new trail to try, I was off.

The trail I selected was the Vineyard Mountain Trail, and Eagle Scout-maintained trail on the South side of the Etowah river outside of Cartersville. The trail began with a moderate climb. Although I was alone in the middle of the woods, I was close enough to I-75 to hear significant traffic noise. Civilization would continue to encroach for the balance of the hike.

Not long after I started, I detoured to the red-blazed trail. I discovered in the process that scouts have a strange sense of humor. On this trail, they did not bother with switchbacks or other conveniences. It just went straight up the mountain. I had finally gotten away from the traffic noise, but when I hit the top, I discovered a large cell phone tower instead of a view.

I resumed the yellow trail, but went off the trail as I approached the river to discover a great view of the Allatoona Dam. I had been driving over Lake Allatoona for years, but never even had an idea where the dam was. The trail eventually led to a disused road which I followed toward the dam. It seems that this dam was open to the public years ago, because the road ended at a very old concrete parking lot. I was able to hike around it to get a better view of the dam. As I approached the dam, I caught a glimpse of the Blue Heron that has alluded me during many a hike. I was able to get a shot of him using the maximum zoom on my camera, but as I moved quietly closer, he heard me and flew off. He would continue to haunt me for the balance of the hike.

I backtracked, and followed the road the opposite direction. I short detour took my to a rocky beach along the lake. It was not much different than being at the beach. The water was lapping the short, and there were numerous shells among the rocks (I assume from fresh water muscles).

The trail continued to parallel the shoreline of the lake, going up and down numerous ridges until my legs felt like they were going to fall off. I passed through one area with million dollar houses being built up on the ridge.

The trail ended at an alternate parking lot at the entrance to Red Top Mountain State Park. I took a break and walked out onto a point in the middle of the lake, and then began the long trip back.