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
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 | AllTrails
General 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! 😊16 attendees
Mount Yonah Hike – Cleveland GA – 4.75 miles – Strenuous
Mount Yonah Trailhead, GA-75, Cleveland, GA, USLet's take a hike to the top of Yonah Mountain!
Yonah is one of N. GA's most popular hikes and rightfully so. The scenic wooded trail leads to a summit with steep drop offs and offers simply stunning views.
Please take note that this is not a hike for beginners. It’s a strenuous out and back hike with a nearly continuous 1450’ elevation gain upward climb to the summit that includes a few scrambles over boulders.
So, is it worth it? In a word … “yep”.
IMPORTANT NOTE: If it is raining or there is a strong chance of rain before or during this time this hike will be cancelled given the dangerous conditions that rain will cause. So, please check back before heading out to the meetup spot.
While we won’t race to the top and then back down, we will hike at a reasonable pace of about 2.25 to 2.5 mph. So, please be prepared. My suggestion would be to read some of the reviews in the links provided below beforehand to determine if this hike is for you.
Doggies up for the challenge are permitted on this trail and welcome/encouraged to attend.
Directions can be found in the pin map embedded in this event listing. Linking your smartphone to that using Google Maps will guide you to the precise meeting place at the trailhead. We will meet near the restrooms … well, more like outhouses in the parking area😊
I do like to start events on time so please do not be late for the consideration of all attendees.
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.
AllTrails (general info about the trail itself):
Mount Yonah Trail | Map, Guide - Georgia | AllTrails
Atlanta Trails (general info about the trail itself):
Yonah Mountain Trail (atlantatrails.com)
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, zilch, zip, squat) for adverse events which may occur during meetups. Cheers! 😊20 attendees
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