SOCIAL OUTDOOR ADVENTURES (SOA)

The Pine Mountain Trail in Cartersville boasts an East and West Loop which totals 4.8 miles. The only hard part is the 3rd leg...of 4. You can do it. We'll park at the West Loop Trailhead, Pine Mountain Recreation Area, Cartersville, GA. There are a few hills but the distance itself makes this an intermediate hike.

Hike starts at 09:30 am so get there 9:15 am and allow enough time to get lost. Its a good 45 min drive from my house in Norcross. If you have never driven there allow an extra 15-30 minutes to get lost. There is a port-a-potty and lots of free parking.

Required Items to Bring:

Water and good hiking shoes, snack food and/or... There are some ups and downs so hiking poles recommended. The hardest part comes at the end. I am NOT planning to go all the way to Coopers Furnace

How to Get There:
Event Directions: I-75 Exit 288, go East (right) less than a mile until the road ends, then right at Komatsu sign. Parking area for the West Loop Trailhead is on the left before entering Komatsu

For more info, call Barbara 678-438-5593,

Simpsonwood in Peachtree Corners has been under construction for years and it is now completed and lovely. This will be a a 3 mile loop in Simpsonwood Park (across the Chattahoochee River from Jones Bridge) and and then another spin around for a total of 5-miles. This is a lovely wooded trail and not to be missed. Unlike previous Simpsonwood hikes we will meet at the park itself, parking by the restrooms (not the YMCA). We'll get our extra miles by doing two loops and exploring some other options in the park. We will do some elevation and water crossings so you might want to bring sticks.

Jo 470-420-6004

We will do 1/2 of Jack's knob trail. The first 2.5 is steep and mostly up hill through the wood. Then we ascend on a paved path to the top of a the parking lot. I think this will be too early for the leaves to change but it should be beautiful regardless.

Beautiful Brasstown Bald, rising 4,784 feet above sea level, is Georgia’s highest mountain. On a clear day, the spectacular 360 degree view from atop the mountain allows you to see four states. The Visitor Information Center, located on the summit of the Bald, offers exhibits, video presentation and interpretive programs.

Car pool location is 8:30 at Mansell Road Park and Ride. Please answer the questions at your RSVP. (This may change based on responses...so please answer RSVP question.) If you did not answer you can go to change RSVP...you will see questions and keep your RSVP yes.

We will park at Jack's Gap on GA-180. We will start at the base of Brasstown Bald (where Highway 180 meets Spur 180). The hike is a 2.5 mile moderate-strenuous…mostly uphill, terrain. Then we will hike the final .6 miles on a paved trail leading from the parking lot to the lookout tower of Brasstown Bald where we will enjoy the views. We will plan to stay about 30 minutes in the visitor’s center. We will lunch on the picnic tables on the parking lot level before we go to the summit depending on time. There are restrooms and a port a potty here so something will be open.

This is NOT a beginner hike. There are steep parts. Total mileage will be about 6 miles. We will go about 2 miles per hour...a slower pace than usual due to the terrain.

Coordinates: 34.84793, -83.79871 This is where GA Highway 180..meets spur 180. Using coordinates is the BEST way to find this. You can probably find a video on youtube if you don't know how to do it but google maps, waze or any GPS will take coordinates. Coordinates:
2941 Hwy. 180 Spur · Hiawassee, ga. Do not count on the pin on the map as meetup puts its there not me.

Directions: I-85-985 or 400 through Cleveland. GA-400 north 39 miles to S. Chestatee Street and make left. 5 miles and make right onto US-19. 13.3 miles and left to stay on US 19, 13.2 miles and right to SR-180. 7.2 and parking is just to the left of the road at SR-180 Spur. Do not go to Helen.

Bring snacks, lunch and water and be prepared to book your entire day.

For more info, Barbara 678-438-5593.

Meeting time at trailhead: 10:15am in that small parking lot at the bottom. Do not drive to parking lot of Brasstown. Free parking. Do not pay to park.

Mansell Departure time: 8:30 (pretty please try to be on time…it is a 1.5h drive)
Trailhead 10:00

Hike time: 3.5 hours (maybe touch more) and add lunch.

What to bring: lots of water, lunch, snacks, hiking boots, bug spray???, sun screen, and a good attitude. No whining permitted. Cost: free parking at the base

Ability level: moderate=-strenuous but only 6 miles. Please email or call me to discuss your personal ability level if you are not sure.

Barbara (678) 438-5593 We will not hike if terrible weather...snow or rain. I've done this with snow and it was a little tricky. Poles recommended.