Adventures in Outdoorsville - A Hiking Journal

[Doot]

Osiris and I are getting off our behinds and setting out for multiple outdoor adventures. We tossed down some scratch for some hiking shoes and are going to slowly build our equipment, roll into camping goods, etc. We're starting local (as in Georgia) and will eventually ramp up to explore elsewhere. Ultimately we'd love to do the Appalachian Trail - complete with camping. We'll more than likely toss in some hikes when we visit areas outside of Georgia (as we are prone to do throughout the year). I figure I should start keeping track from the beginning as it may prove to be interesting as we get along. We'd love to hear about your experiences as well and any recommendations. From the first trip out, I'm hooked and cannot wait til our next trip. So without further ado, ONWARD TO THE ADVENTURES!

First Trip: Sunday 10/07/07 Start 11:00am
Sweetwater Creek State Park - Red/Blue Trail - 2.5 miles
Equipment: Outdoor casual clothing, two 20oz water bottles, Alpine Designs hiking shoes

Osiris and I originally planned this trip for that Saturday but arranged our time for some family gatherings. Our intentions were to take Bella (our border collie) with us on this trip but it turned out she was completely wiped from 4.5 hours of straight frisbee and ball fetching with Osiris' young cousins. We strapped on new hiker's and figured to break them in on as Easy-Moderate trail at Sweetwater Creek. I had never been to the hiking side of the park - just picnic side which ebbs up on the lake. We drove over the lake and were pretty shocked with how low the water levels were due to the recent drought in our area. For a $3 parking fee we drove through the front of the park to find ample spaces near the hiking trails. There is a bathroom building at the start just in case you need to lighten yourself up for your trek. There were a lot of dog owners out with their pups which made me sad we couldn't bring the Bella-monster with us that day. Overall it wasn't crowded and afforded us the ability to move at our own pace and not feel rushed. There is also a map and small pamphlets on each of the trails the park provides.

The Red Trail
Not to feel overly ambitious on our first undertaking of a hike in our current shape (currently out of shape, more like it) we opted for the Red Trail which in total rolls in at about 2 miles (out and back). This also allowed us passage to a historical site that you just have to see if you make a trip out there. The first half mile was relatively easy. The path was mainly dirt and sand and wound you down through trees and right to the side of the creek. We encountered a splash happy doberman who was just living up the trip with his owner. There are markers throughout the trails alerting you to the possible wildlife you'll see on your trip.

First Stop - New Manchester Manufacturing Company
After our first 1/2 mile we stopped to take in the view of the ruins of New Manchester Manufacturing Company. It was a textile mill built pre-Civil War and met its fate when Sherman came through with his little pyromaniacal tendencies. The contrast of the ruins against the waters of the creek and the rich greenery is absolutely beautiful.

Second Stop - Sweetwater Falls
From the Mill we marched on another 1/2 mile. I have to say I was having an absolute blast by this point because the path now had dispursed into a slew of rocks that we jumped and climbed. It made me feel like I was 12 again! We didn't stop until we reached the "Falls". With the drought the falls weren't as majestic as the usually are. And when I say "Falls" these particular water masses are more like the types you whitewater raft on. Even still it was a great spot for a breather, particularly after all of that spelunking we did on the rocks.

This part also marks the part of the path where you can backtrack on the Red trail and revisit the same sites or make way to the Blue trail which is actually a bit longer and leads more into the woods. Well I was feeling my Cheerios so I suggested we go Blue! That was a good idea in theory! And execution - by the time we got back to the car - I was happy we decided to go that route but felt the burn for sure!

Third Stop - The High Bench
From the Falls it was a steep incline where we hiked up the steps they made of logs. We got to the top of the first set to listen in on a conversation from one hiker to the other.
Hiker1: "Is the blue path better to take?"
Hiker2: "Yeah it's a fairly easy trail and perfect for jogging! It'll meet back up at the Red Trail at the Mill."
So we soldiered on to follow the steps of Hiker1 who was at a steady jog at this point. The incline was still pretty steep and by the time we leveled out we needed a water break. Luckily there was a bench up top waiting for us and no other hikers in sight! Funny thing though, the bench was pretty high on the trail side so you had to walk behind it and swing your legs around. Both mine and Osiris' legs dangled.

We hopped off the bench and continued heading down the Blue trail. It was a fun zig zag path through the woods farther away from the falls. The trail was relatively quiet as most folks stick to the Red trail so we had the opportunity to listen to all of the woods around us. There came a part in the path where you could see it dip and hairpin turn at a lower elevation (of which I saw a cut through). Osiris saw me notice this and started running the main path while I jogged the "shortcut". He called me a filthy cheater when I beat him and we laughed about it all the way to the Mill where we met back up with the Red trail.

Fourth Stop - The Mill Ruins Revisited
After the extended Blue path we decided to take one final breather at the mill. At this time Osiris' belly started to protest in hunger so we opted to take the Red trail (shorter of the two) back to the car. Along the way we saw familiar faces we had met during our hike - all with tired but fulfilled smiles. It was great to see the families and dog owners out there taking time to get back to nature and appreciate that quality time. This is just what my heart and mind needed to feel uplifted and revitalized. Needless to say, after we returned to the house I took a catnap on the sofa and then later that night proceeded to have the best sleep I've had in a while.

Osiris picked up Hiking Georgia which is a book we're using to start of planning our trips. I also need to invest in a small digi-cam to take pictures.

Next Trips Planned
Wednesday 10/09/07
Kennesaw Mountain Trail - 2 miles

Saturday 10/13/07
Pumpkin Patch (maybe a hayride!)
Amicalola Falls
And possibly over to:
Amicalola Deer Park to visit some of the Akanari kinfolk!

[Akanari]

Oo, Oo, go to the Deer park!

You'll be blessed by my kin. Especially in regards to the particular season, this is a very spiritual time for my antlered friends.

This all sounds so wonderful, it makes me want to go hiking regularly again.

I recommend Panther Creek Trails if it's not too far away for you. Good luck on future travels in nature! Perhaps even do some species identification with some field guides. :]

[GAAZ]

I'm totally tagging along for that whole Pumpkin patch Falls thing.

I wonder...Park of deer...Hunting season opening. >_>

<_<

[Ming]

Having spent many years in Boy Scouts, both Tobs and I are experienced campers. It's been quite a while for me since the last time I "roughed it", but if you have any questions, either of us would definitely try to help you the best we can.

[SirGunslinger]

Jack's River Falls is also an excellent hiking trail. It is about 3 or 4 miles depending on the path you take, and has a beautiful waterfall at the end where; you can swim in the basin below.

[Akanari]

[SirGunslinger]

/approves

[Doot]

I've added your suggestions down to line up for upcoming hikes. I totally forgot to mention the only wildlife we really caught a close glimpse of was an Eastern Box Turtle. He showed us some 'tude. We stopped to watch him eat and he looked at us like "What! I'm eatin' here!"

[FawkesFyre]

I could maybe get into some of this...I'm just rarely in the right location to enjoy the outdoors. Last time, it was at a hunting lodge where it was a bit risky to go around in the woods due to the fact of it being hunting season...I'm not a deer, or a wild hog, or a turkey, or a squirel...and don't want to be mistaken by a hunter with a crappy sight.

[underpants]

Hopefully, you can come up and hike at Bear Mountain one day in upstate NY. But only in the fall when all of the leaves are changing! Then you can go to the Oktoberfest they have up there too!! haha