The Hiking League

About The Trail:
My favorite trail system outside the Perimeter, Harbins is a wonderful hiking and mountain bike riding area with three different trail systems (one each for hikers, bikers, and horses) that all last for seven or more miles. This allows us to do a number of loops and combos for a different hike each time!

For this hike, we'll do some of the newly-discovered trails that our mountain biking group found recently. In all, expect about eight miles of some cool trails.

Meeting Times/Directions:
Please meet by noon in front of the rest rooms on the right side of the parking lot. To get there: From I85 North, either a) take Sugar Loaf Parkway east for about 15 minutes, then turn right at New Hope Road, or b) take 316 East for about 15 minutes, then turn right at Sugar Loaf Parkway and then left at New Hope Road (this will actually be the second Sugar Loaf Parkway exit on 316; the first appears after two or three minutes). Either way, drive for about 5 minutes, then turn right onto Luke Edwards Road. The park is on your right about a half mile down the road.

And Don't Forget:
We'll go to a local restaurant or brewery after the hike.

See you on the trail!

Charlie

As several of us are going to be hiking the Camino Portugués in the late spring and with numerous back to back to back big mileage days included in that journey, I thought it would be a good idea to plan a series of training hikes in preparation. These hikes are intended to be big mileage, but with only low to moderate elevation gain. While this series of hikes is intended for those training for the Camino, anyone is welcome to participate, assuming you are up to the challenge.

Most of you know my practices for hikes, but I'll repeat them here. This is NOT a guided hike and you are responsible for your own well-being and ability to complete the hike within the listed time. These are big mileage hikes at a brisk pace and if you don't hike regularly, I would strongly recommend against your participation.

We will be departing the trailhead at the posted time. Do not expect the group to wait for you if you are running late, though you are welcome to try and catch up with the group.

I will be monitoring the weather closely as the day of the hike approaches and will likely cancel in the case of inclement weather. This decision will generally be made the night before the hike and post accordingly. You should check this posting prior to leaving for the trailhead.

Now onto the details of this specific training hike:

This is NOT the Pine Mountain Trail near Cartersville, but the much longer trail of the same name near FDR State Park in west-central Georgia.

Also, this is a shuttle hike - meaning that we will need one or more volunteers to stage their cars at the far end of the trail, get a ride back to the starting point, and then after the hike, be willing to transport hikers from the end of the trail back to where we started the hike.

This hike will cover 22.6 miles and 3,300 feet of elevation as we walk along the ridge known as Pine Mountain. It's a beautiful hike with a couple of small waterfalls and some magnificent views. Only sign-up for this if you are in good shape, as this can be a grueling hike for those not prepared.

Directions to the Trailhead:
32.852149, -84.700905 (WJSP-TV Tower)

• Starting in downtown Atlanta, follow I-85S for 40.6 miles
• At exit 41, turn left to head south on Alt US-27S/US-29S
• Follow the signs to remain on this route for 34.9 (this will include going around a town square in Greenville, GA
• In Warm Springs, GA, turn right to stay on Alt US-27S/Whitehouse Parkway
• Drive for 3.3 miles and park by the tower (you can't miss it)

With this being a distance from Atlanta and with limited parking, carpooling is encouraged, but I reserve the right to ask participants to drive to support the shuttle aspect of the hike. I will communicate with participants in advance of the hike to coordinate the shuttle. Also, if you participate in the carpool, please compensate your driver.

About The Trail: There are several trails in Red Top Mountain Park, including one that loops around the edge of several islands, a couple in the woods, and one longer one offering a near-constant view of Lake Allatoona.

No special equipment is needed, but do bring hiking shoes, lunch, water, some snacks, and some stories to share! Level/Pace is intermediate, so experienced hikers only for this trip, meaning you can hike 3mph or better. Children that can hike at this pace are encouraged to attend, but no pets please. BTW, please make sure to bring some water, lunch, and snacks, as well as a towel and shirt change for the ride home.

And as always, we'll go to a restaurant or brewery after the hike; for this hike, it will be Red Top Brewery where they have a whole wall of self-serve beer options!

Notes:
Distance = Eight+ miles
Time: Budget 3+ hours
Skill Rating = Moderate
Pace = Fast; intermediate to advanced hikers only
Special Equipment = None needed, though hiking poles might help.

Meeting Times/Places/Directions: From Interstate 75, take a right at the Red Top Mountain exit (exit #285), cross the bridge, then follow the signs for the Visitor Center. Note: There is a $5 fee for parking, so either bring your parking pass or carpool if you want to save some money.

See you all on the trail!