Fri, Nov 8 2019 - Coopers Furnace and Pine Mountain Summit (Secret Trail Down) (View Original Event Details) Trip Leader(s): Holt Ward Participants: Holt Ward, Wendy B, Silvia B, Linda H, Rocky M, Claudia, Judy, Dan C, Keith, Sherrie G, Shirley N, Paul Black, Anne G, Evy

Click for Album

A beautiful day for a hike at Coopers Furnace with a chilly start but lots of sun. We started at the Lake Allatoona dam overlook before heading out the Laurel Ridge and Pine Mountain connector trails to reach the base of Pine Mountain.  We started our climb up the Pine Mountain east loop, taking the right side of the loop.  Upon reaching the summit, we took a well deserved break and soaked in the sun while enjoying the fall colors. 

For today's trek, we took a lesser used trail from the summit.  This trail follows an old logging road and is fairly steep initially.  The descent became less severe before hitting a woods road and some level walking.  Then another steep descent to reach the Cooper Furnace. We learned a little about the history of the furnace itself and the iron industry in general.  Then one last steep climb back to the Army Corps of Engineers offices and our cars.  ~  Holt