What we’re about
Too much concrete, traffic, and chain storefronts got you down? For most of us living just north of Atlanta, we are within an hour's drive of some incredible Georgia Mountain scenery. This group is for people who live, work, or play in and around Atlanta - Alpharetta, Roswell, Suwanee, Duluth, Sandy Springs - and hear the mountains calling. This is a great group for meeting new people who share the love of nature and outdoors or think they might but don't know yet. It doesn't matter whether you have never hiked a day in your life, this group is a great introduction. We'll hike for enjoyment - that means we aren't concerned with setting a certain pace, and we will be there to enjoy and connect with nature. If you like taking pictures, enjoy exploring new places, can't stand running and want alternative exercise, or you've finished the entire season your Netflix obsession in 48 h and now you have to wait a year for the next season, come join us!
Upcoming events
3
Elachee Nature Center/Chicopee Woods – Gainesville, GA - 7 miles – Moderate
Chicopee Woods Trail System, Elachee Drive, Gainesville, GA, USLet's Take a Hike at Chicopee Woods!
Elachee/Chicopee has a really nice trail system offering sections that walk along or above streams, a section that partially circles a lake, and even a 140’ suspension bridge to cross. That’s length BTW, not height, in case you were concerned. All this beauty, and the center sits just a few exits up 985 in Gainesville, GA.
We will start out on the Backcountry trail and then hit part of the Lake and Bridge loops. The trails are mostly soft surface and are rated as moderate as there is some elevation to these, so please be prepared. Our pace will be about 2.25 to 2.5 mph. Not a dash, but not a crawl either. We will take a couple of short breaks along the route.
We will meet at the entrance to the gravel parking lot dedicated to hikers. That lot is the first one you will see on the right as you cross over 985 on Elachee Dr. As always, I have placed the pin in the event map directly on the spot we will meet.
The hike will start from the meeting place at 9:30 am. I do like to start on time so please do not be late for the consideration of all attendees.
Parking is $5.00 per vehicle and can be paid at the gated entrance to the park. There is only one port-a-potty in the hikers parking lot, and there are no public restrooms along the hike. So, please keep that in mind when you are considering whether or not to have that second cup of coffee in the morning.
Below are some helpful links. As always, if you have any questions in advance please let me know and I will do my best to answer them. Please note: the Alltrails link is not the exact trail we will be following but will give you a very good idea of what you are voluntarily getting yourself into.
Alltrails (general info about the trail itself):
https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/georgia/west-lake-trail-to-east-lake-trail
Elachee Nature Center Trail Map:
https://www.elachee.org/hiking-trails/#routes
Hope to see you there, and of course please remember that you will be participating entirely at your own risk as Suwanee Take-a-Hikers assumes absolutely no liability (nada, zero, zip, zilch, jack squat) for adverse events which may occur during meetups.
20 attendees
Sandy Creek Park Trail/Botanical Garden Lights – Athens, GA – 7.25 Miles
Sandy Creek Park Beach, 400 Bob Holman Rd, Athens, GA, USLet's Take-a-Hike at Sandy Creek Park and then head over to the State Botanical Garden for Winter WonderLights! This will be in two parts so you can do one or the other or both! We will pick a dinner spot for the in between as we get closer to the date.
Adventure #1 - Just about an hour’s drive East of Atlanta in Athens, GA, sits Lake Chapman. And looping it in its entirety is the Lakeside Trail. It’s a great trail, and for the majority of it the water is never more than 15 or so yards from the path. So, lots of good water views if that is your thing.
A couple things: Alltrails lists this hike at 7.9 miles but includes a spur that we will not be including. The park information lists the trail at 7.5 miles. But I think it is somewhere more like 7ish. Also, Alltrails lists the hike as easy. And certainly most sections are wide and quite tame. But there is a section at the north side that is rather narrow and has numerous small ups and downs. So, please keep that in mind when deciding if you wish to join this hike. Reviewing the trail info and comments in the Alltrails link below will also help.
Our general pace will be about 2.25 to 2.5 MPH. Not a sprint but not a crawl either. Entrance to the park is $2.00 per person. The hike will start at 1:00 pm, and I figure it will take us about 3.5 hours max with a few rests along the way. I do like to and will start events on time so please do not be late for the consideration of all attendees. We will meet in the parking lot at the Nature Center. It is to the right as you enter the park.
Below are some helpful informational links. Of course and as always, if you have any questions in advance please let me know and I will do my best to answer them.
Alltrails (general info about the trail itself):
Sandy Creek Lakeside Trail | Map, Guide - Georgia | AllTrailsGeneral Park Information:
Sandy Creek Park | Athens-Clarke County, GA - Official Website (accgov.com)Adventure #2 - State Botanical Garden of Georgia Winter WonderLights 6pm. We will head over to the State Botanical Garden and walk through their light display. Tickets for this event are $15 and can be purchased here: https://botgarden.uga.edu/wonderlightstickets/ Please make sure you purchase your ticket for the 6pm time slot. We will meet at the entrance.
Hope to see you there, and of course please remember that you will be participating entirely at your own risk as Suwanee Take-a-Hikers assumes absolutely no liability (nada, zero, zip, zilch, jack squat) for adverse events which may occur during meetups. Cheers! 😊
15 attendees
Past events
345
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