Render Davis - Best Easy Day Hikes Atlanta

Best Easy Day Hikes Series

Best Easy Day Hikes Atlanta

Ren and Helen Davis

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Every effort has been made by the authors and editors to make this guide as accurate and useful as possible. However, many things can change after a guide is publishedtrails are rerouted, regulations change, facilities come under new management, etc.

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Thanks for your input, and happy trails!

Copyright 2010 by Morris Book Publishing, LLC

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Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Davis, Helen, 1951

Best easy day hikes, Atlanta / Helen Davis, Render Davis.

p. cm. -- (Falconguides)

ISBN 978-1-4930-0486-7

1. Hiking--Georgia--Atlanta Region--Guidebooks. 2. Atlanta Region (Ga.)--Guidebooks. I. Davis, Ren, 1951- II. Title.

GV199.42.G462D38 2010

917.58'231--dc22

2009024078

The authors and The Globe Pequot Press assume no liability for accidents happening to, or injuries sustained by, readers who engage in the activities described in this book.

We dedicate this guide to the many staff and volunteers who preserve and maintain the parks and greenspaces we enjoy.

Contents

The Hikes

Introduction

Atlanta has long been touted as the City of Trees, and despite dramatic population growth both within the city and its surrounding suburbs, Atlanta still offers many easily accessible woodlands, parks, and greenspaces suitable for family outings or more rigorous treks. Wherever you are in Atlanta, there are destinations to suit your interests, from mountaintop vistas and paths along rushing streams to urban parkways great for a jog or bicycle ride, or historic sites linking us to those who came before.

Atlanta and the surrounding area is in the heart of the Southern Piedmont ( pied mont means foot of the mountain), one of four distinct geological regions of Georgia. The others are the Ridge and Valley of northwestern Georgia, the Blue Ridge in northeastern Georgia, and the Coastal Plain stretching southward to the Atlantic Ocean from the fall line that marks the boundary between the piedmont and the plain.

The piedmont is crisscrossed by a network of streams and rivers, most with their headwaters in the mountains, flowing toward the Atlantic Ocean or the Gulf of Mexico. For more than 10,000 years, these waterways and surrounding valleys served as migration and trade routes for ancient peoples moving southeastward and, more recently, for Euro-American settlers traveling north from the coast to the interior. The result is a landscape that is both geologically complex and rich in human history.

The hikes profiled in this book trace diverse piedmont landscapes on peaks such as Kennesaw, Red Top, and Sawnee Mountains; along granite outcrops at Stone, Arabia, and Panola Mountains; across river and stream valleys found along the Chattahoochee and Oconee Rivers; and through rolling, wooded hills at Laurel Ridge, Reynolds Nature Preserve, and Dauset Trails. Two excellent sources for readers interested in learning more about the areas rich geological history are the award-winning New Georgia Encyclopedia (www.georgiaencyclopedia.org) and the University of Georgia Department of Geology Web site at www.gly.uga.edu (select About Us and click on Georgia Geology).

For us, a walk in the woods has always been a way to escape the hectic pace of urban living, to recalibrate our lives to be more in synch with natures rhythms, and to share our love of the outdoors with family and friends. Because of its climate, vibrant city life, and its easy access to mountains, woodlands, and waterways, Atlanta has long been considered one of Americas most livable cities. We hope that this guide may be a small contribution to sustaining that reputation into the future.

Weather

Located more than 1,000 feet above sea level and in the heart of the Southern Piedmont, the Atlanta area is representative of a subtropical climate characterized by hot, humid summers and relatively mild winters. Historically, Atlanta has experienced approximately 50 inches of annual rainfall; however, recent droughts have yielded less rainfall, contributing to lowered lake levels, stressed forests, and tightening restrictions on water usage.

Given the mild climate, Atlanta is blessed with good weather for hiking during every season of the year. Autumn is notable for the vivid colors of changing leaves, while winter often opens vistas through leafless trees. Spring in Atlanta is internationally renowned for the glorious palette of dogwoods and azalea blossoms, and summer offers rich greens of hardwoods and pines in full foliage, punctuated by brightly colored wildflowers.

Safety and Preparations

Nearly all of the trails profiled in this guide are within an hours drive, or a little more, from the city. When choosing a hiking destination, consider the trail location, hike distance and difficulty, weather, times of traffic congestion, and personal or family interests. In every case a little advance planning will make your hike both safe and enjoyable.

Clothing

Moderate weather in the Atlanta area offers enjoyable hiking at any time of year, provided you dress accordingly. Hot and humid summer days call for breathable fabrics, a hat, and sunscreen, while layers of warm clothing and outerwear can take the chill out of a winter hike. Weather can change quickly, especially in summer, so it is wise to stuff a windbreaker or rain jacket in your pack. When hiking with children, they often need to be reminded to add a layer as their bodies are affected by the weather more quickly than adults.

Shoes and Socks

While hiking boots are great for the hikes profiled in this guide, you may find that lightweight all-terrain walking shoes will be just as suitable. Also, dont forget to include a pair of good-quality hiking socks, usually made from wool or a synthetic blend, that offer better cushioning, moisture wicking, and less chance of blistering than cotton socks do. It is also a good idea to break in your boots or shoes on shorter hikes before hitting the trail for a longer trek.