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Group Hike
I have just returned from my Camino de Santiago trip, which was terrific, but I am ready to get back outside. I will host a group hike at Sweetwater Creek State Park on May 21, 2022. The park is about 20 minutes west of Atlanta. We will meet in front of the visitor’s center at 9:00 AM. The hike will be easy to moderate. Afterward, we will break for lunch together, so please pack something to eat. There will be an optional shorter hike after lunch if you are interested. We will wrap up around 2 PM if you opt to do the second hike. What to bring? Water…
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Red Top Mountain: State Parks Within 60 Miles of Atlanta
The third park on our list of state parks within 60 miles of Atlanta is Red Top Mountain. This park is about thirty-six miles north of downtown on Lake Allatoona. The 1,776-acre park was established in 1950 to preserve the history of the area and boost Bartow County’s growth and agricultural economy. Named for its rich red soil caused by the high iron content, Red Top Mountain was once a prominent mining area. Ironmaster Jacob Stroup built the Allatoona Iron Furnace on Allatoona Creek in 1844. The furnace had several owners after Stroup’s death in 1846 but continued operation until Union soldiers destroyed it during the Civil War. Red Top…
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First Day Hike 2022
I kicked off 2022 on a hike with my dad at Panola Mountain. Each year, state parks across the country celebrate New Year’s Day with guided First Day Hikes. First Day Hikes first started in Massachusetts in 1992 and became a nationwide initiative supported by the American State Parks alliance in 2012. These hikes are intended to encourage people to get outdoors. I chose the First Day Hike at Panola Mountain State Park because I have visited the park several times but have never stepped foot on the granite mountain. This is because access to the mountain is limited to ranger-led hikes. Panola Mountain is the last pristine Monadnock ecosystem…
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Sweetwater Creek: State Parks Within 60 Miles of Atlanta
Sweetwater Creek is the second park on our list of state parks within 60 miles of Atlanta. The Park is about 18 miles west of downtown in the unincorporated city of Lithia Springs. Sweetwater Creek was established in 1972, with the goal of preserving the Civil War ruins of the New Manchester Manufacturing Company and the surrounding Sweetwater Creek valley. The New Manchester textile mill was built by former Georgia Governor Charles J. McDonald and Colonel James Rogers. Operation of the mill began on December 21, 1849. At the time, the five-story mill was the tallest building in the metro area. The mill ceased operations in July 1864, when General…
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Panola Mountain: State Parks Within 60 Miles of Atlanta
The northern part of Georgia is known for its scenic mountain views, cascading waterfalls, pristine forests, and hiking trails. In fact, the southern terminus of the 2,190-mile Appalachian Trail (AT) is located at Springer Mountain. More than three thousand people a year start their journey at Springer Mountain to attempt a thru-hike of the entire AT. The Blue Ridge and Appalachian Plateau regions are great for day hikes, backpacking, camping, mountain biking, and more. Yet, if you live in Atlanta, you may not always have the time to drive an hour and a half or more to enjoy the outdoors. The good news is you don’t need to make a…
