Sunday Morning Saunter at Sawnee - BPT

Sunday Saunter at Sawnee BPT (backpack training for me)

If you would like to do a bad@$$ hike close to town, and have the second part of the day for yourself, the Sawnee Mountain hike IS the hike you are looking for.

Located a tad bit north of Atlanta in Cumming, Georgia, Sawnee Mountain Preserve provides visitors with a 963 acres of scenic passive space, hiking trails and an interactive Visitor Center. We will meet at the Spot Road location in front of the Visitor center and hike over 12 miles of all trails that this beautiful preserve offers with a brisk pace (3mph+).  The elevation gain is approximately 2400 ft. Since we double back to Indian Seats (basically milking the trail for all it's worth) I have listed it as a proper D5 - this is a difficult hike, with little to NO STOPS.

We will start our hike promptly at 0800 
Please arrive a few minutes before the start time to check in & do intros.

We will do the Indian Seats climb first, then head down to the lot off Bettis...maybe a quick bio break at the restrooms if needed, then up and away to the Mountainside Trail. We will take the "cut-thru" to Ridgeline but do a figure 8 so we'll head towards Church Trail. We will stop for a quick snack break at the bottom of Church Trail (<5min) in the warming sun off the side of the parking lot. Then it's back up to the Mountainside Trail, to the "cut-thru" again but this time we will continue to Ridgeline Trail. Back to Bettis Lot (restrooms are available there if needed). Then BACK up to Indian Seats and around to Spot Road...BOOM 13-ish miles.

I invite you to bring a weighted backpack (or not) to get some killer training for some much needed post-HELLiday stress! It's a workout regardless!

For the safety of the group if I have not hiked with you, I might contact you to make sure that this hike is appropriate for you.

SMP Visitor Center,
4075 Spot Road,
Cumming, GA 30040

GA 400N
Exit 15 Bald Ridge Marina Rd/Cumming
Left towards downtown Cumming
Right at third traffic light on Tribble Gap Road - a.k.a. Bettis Tribble Gap (City of Cumming clock tower will be on your right)
Go approximately 4 miles (go past one Sawnee Mountain Visitor's Center on your right) and then go right on to Spot Road. You will see the entrance to the Visitor's Center on your right across from Twin Lakes Rd.

NOTE: if you're unfamiliar with Sawnee - this is NOT the lots with the playgrounds that is off Bettis

** While this event does not have an official "car pool" I always encourage it...if you're in the Roswell/Alpharetta area and want to car pool; I have room for 3 others in the Lil Sasquatch (my van). #FCFS
If you request this please bring "go home" gear...a set of fresh, clean, dry everythings. text me at the # above for details.