Savannah Valley Railway Trail (Exploratory) (Camino Training Hike 4)

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:

We'll be hiking 18.7 miles out-and-back with an easy 610 feet of elevation gain along an old rail bed. This should be an easy hike (though, I've never hiked it) and the challenge will simply be the distance.

Directions to trailhead:
33.923178, -82.341859

• Starting at the junction of I-85N and GA-316E, follow GA-316E for 2 miles where it will merge with US-29E (and later with US-78 and GA-72) and continue for 97.3 miles
• After crossing into South Carolina, continue to Calhoun Falls and turn right onto Calhoun Falls Parkway/SC-81S. Follow for 17.9 miles
• Merge onto SC-28 and drive another 4.5 miles
• Turn right onto Barksdale Ferry Rd and drive 0.8 miles until you see the trailhead sign on your left

Again, this is a fair distance from Atlanta and carpooling is recommended. Compensating drivers for their gas is encouraged.