Sweetwater W-O-Y Ramble

We'll start out at the Nature Center with a long warm-up on the White Loop, looking for the Bonus Beech Trees, (see NOTES) with the option for a side trip up the brown trail hill. We’ll then get a quick peek at the New Manchester Mill ruins with a little history of its rise and demise.  We'll cross the creek for a vigorous follow-up on the Yellow and Orange Loops. If the group has extra gas at the end of these 9.5 miles, we can add another 1.4 miles with the Blue Loop. 

This will be a D4 hike in distance, but with only about 1000' elevation change, (without the Blue Loop).  Please only sign up for this hike if D3's are comfortable for you, and you seek D4's for the challenge.  On the other hand, there are several loops, and you can return to the nature center early if the distance wears you down.

We will shoot to complete in 4 hours or less, whatever the distance.

Map, terrain and vegetation reading will be encouraged, and instructed for those interested along the trail. 

Take I-20 west to exit 44 (Thornton Road). Make a left on Thornton Road (South) and then a right onto Blairs Bridge Road. Travel 2.1 miles to Mount Vernon Road and make a left. Drive about one mile to the park entrance (you'll go over two small spillways) and make a left on Factory Shoals Road.

$5 Entrance fee unless you have an annual pass. Drive about half a mile to the parking lot just before the visitor's center. The lot may be full, so you will need to park on the [pavillion loop ]. Give yourself time to walk to the Nature Center from parking ~1/3 mile away.

Sweetwater Creek State Park
1750 Mt. Vernon Road
Lithia Springs , GA 30122

Will hike rain or shine, though not in severe weather. Cancellation by 8 pm the night before

There is a $5.00 parking fee at the park.

On the White Trail we will have a treasure hunt for a mature beech tree, greater than 6" in diameter.  Why are they so uncommon in Georgia woodlands, while the understory is full of small diameter trees?  Beeches stand out with their smooth grey bark, and the way they retain their dead leaves all winter.  

We also will share a little bit of Geology, learned on the State Park Naturalist Series.

Trail Map,    D escriptions

Atlanta Trails.com