Fri, Oct 12 2018 - Sweetwater Creek Eastside Trails and Mill Ruins (View Original Event Details) Trip Leader(s): Holt Ward Participants: Marty E, Coco Cheng, Holt Ward, Evy, Dan C, Allan, Hannah V, Janet G, Michelle D, LuAnn, Wendy B, Lana, SusanF, Amanda L, stokelicia, Becky Douviile

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What a beautiful day for our hike at Sweetwater Creek State Park.  Fall has finally arrived in Georgia.  It was actually chilly at the start with temps in the low 50's but once we hit the first hill we warmed up quickly.  We departed the visitors center and headed down to the Sweetwater creek.  The creek was terribly swollen as a result of the hurricane that passed through Georgia earlier this week.  After crossing the iron bridge, we did the complete Orange trail which was truly a great walk through the woods.  We took the Yellow trail back to the creek level and visited the old cave used by native americans many thousand years ago.  

The hike next threw us a few curve balls.  On the way back to the iron bridge, we found the trail underwater in a few places which required us to have to take a few detour through the woods along the trail to work around the flooded sections.  Then once we crossed the creek, we had a little run in with a yellow jacket nest which was unfortunate.  As a result we had to end the hike a little early and head back to the visitors center but got most of our planned 7 miles in. 

Several of our group hung around after the hike for a quick informal picnic before departing for home.  All in all, a great day spend in the woods.  A special welcome to Hannah who was on her first AOC event.  We look forward to seeing you on future events.  ~ Holt