Sun, Feb 23 2020 - Laurel Ridge Trail and Bowmans Island (View Original Event Details) Trip Leader(s): Kim S, Lisa Participants: Lisa, Kim S, Marie-Felixe, Eileen F., Elena L, Teo, Robin B, Trish, JoeS, Lixia, Li Wu

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A dam good day to hike the shoreline around Buford Dam Park with this group of 11 hikers. The lake is at full capacity which meant a few detours along the Laurel Trail to avoid submerged footbridges and soggy spots. We covered the first 3 miles fairly quickly and crossed the base of the dam to reach Bowman Island ahead of schedule. Soon after reaching Bowman Island Park the horns blew a warning as the gates opened to release water into the Chattahoochee. We got a quick view of the Buford Trout Hatchery along the way and watched the river grow swift as it rose about 5 feet in less than an hour. We spotted bear tracks in the mud on the island, goats on the hillside above the dam, and a large flock of vultures sunning on the handrails on our way back to the parking lot well ahead of our finish time.