Sun, Mar 14 2021 - Daylight Savings Kickoff Hike at Mason Mill Park & Lullwater Preserve at Emory (View Original Event Details) Trip Leader(s): Charlie Cottingham Participants: Charlie Cottingham, Gloria Colley, Sarah E, michele shauf, Chris V, Dan Reed, Amy S

It was fun getting together for this adventurous outing on such a beautiful late-winter afternoon with its almost record-setting high-70s warmth.
We began by hiking from Mason Mill Park to Emory via the PATH spur trail & boardwalk and its convenient Clairmont Road underpass.  There in the campus's huge wooded "Lullwater Preserve" parklands we enjoyed the trails surrounding Candler Lake where had fine views of the Canada geese and a great blue heron. Signs of spring were popping out all around us... the native redbuds and red maples in bloom, colorful daffodils and native bloodroot popping up, and waterfowl courting and nesting.  Below the 1920s-era Lullwater House mansion the 100-year-old stone hydro-power tower and waterfall were spectacular.  Just downstream we took the high swinging bridge across the creek and continued along the trail downstream to Hahn Woods.  En route back toward Mason Mill we visited the grounds of the historic Houston Mill House and explored the jungle-like terrain on the hillside just below it, with its spring house and cisterns.  After arriving back at Mason Mill we enjoyed a creekside walk through the old Decatur Waterworks and walked portions of the huge winding PATH boardwalk that descends through the forest from the Tennis Center. - Submitted by Charlie, Monday March 15th