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 (4+)
See all- Fort Yargo State Park – Lake Loop Trail – Winder, GA - 6 miles – EasyFort Yargo State Park, Winder, GA
Howdy!
Distance: Approximately 6 miles
Difficulty: Easy
Group Hiking Pace: 2.5-3 MPH
Hike Start Time: 5:31 pm
Entry Fee: $5.00Fort Yargo State Park is a state park located near Winder GA. There is a nice, relatively easy, "6-ish" mile Lake Loop Trail that circles the majority of the lake. This trail has very little elevation and is mostly soft surface, but does include some paved and gravel/dirt road areas. It also has plenty of really nice lake views and several different terrains.
The hike will start from the meeting place at 5:31 pm. I do like to and will start on time so please do not be late for the consideration of all attendees.
Doggies are allowed, welcome, and encouraged to attend. Yay!
Let's meet outside of the visitors center near the main entrance to the park. To get to the right place, please just link to where I put the pin on the map within the event and let your smartphone guide you there. Using google maps, it will bring you to precisely the place we will meet up … well, give or take a yard or three. Hurrah for modern technology!!!😊
As this is a GA State Park, parking is $5.00 unless you have the proper annal park pass.
Below are some helpful links. They will give you an idea of what you are considering getting yourself into. 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.
Our pace will be a brisk 2.5-3 mph. We will take only a couple of short breaks along the way. So, please consider this carefully before deciding to join.
Alltrails (general info about the trail itself):
Fort Yargo State Park Trail Map:
https://gastateparks.org/sites/default/files/parks/pdf/trailmaps/FortYargo_TrailMap.pdf
Hope to see you there. Also 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, nil, jack squat) for any adverse events which may occur during meetups.
Cheers! 😊
- Smith Creek Trail to Anna Ruby Falls-Unicoi S.P. – Helen, GA–9.5 MiSmith Creek Trailhead, Sautee Nacoochee, GA
Let's Take a Hike to Anna Ruby Falls!
Starting within the campground at Unicoi State Park near Helen GA, is the Smith Creek Trail. On the other end of that trail, 4.8 miles away, is Anna Ruby Falls. We will hike from the campground to Anna Ruby, turn around and come back logging approx. 9.5 miles in total.
Please note: the name of this hike indicates it follows a creek which typically suggests a relatively flat surface. This is not necessarily the case with this trail. In fact, much of it is quite mountainous terrain and it logs nearly 1700 ft in elevation gain. There are few places with some very small streams to transverse as well as areas with rocks and roots to navigate. Alltrails lists this hike as moderate.
The trail itself is all soft surface and quite narrow. Our group’s pace is about 2.25 to 2.5 MPH. Poles and good hiking shoes are strongly recommended. Please bring adequate water.
We will meet at the trailhead which can be found by linking to the red pin posted on this event using Google Maps, using it will get you to the right spot where we will meet.
The hike will start at 9:00 am, and I figure it will take us about 6 hours with rest breaks. Since I am reasonably confident that there are no restaurants along the trail you may want to pack a simple lunch, as we will plan to take an extended break near the base of the falls before heading back. I do like to and will start events on time so please do not be late for the consideration of all attendees.
Parking for State Parks is $5 unless you have the proper parking pass. This can be paid at the campground ranger station. Alternatively, a pass can be purchased in advanced through the link provided below if that works better for you. I would strongly recommend this option if you do not already have a SP pass since I do not believe there are any pay stations near the trailhead, and driving to the campground station will take you extra time.
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):
https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/georgia/smith-creek-trail?u=i
Unicoi (general info about the park & Trail Map):
https://www.unicoilodge.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Unicoi_TrailMap_2018.pdf
GA State parking pass purchase link:
https://gastateparks.reserveamerica.com/posProductDetails.do?id=554806&contractCode=GA
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.
