“Hidden” North Buckhead Gems

This is Lauren's first co-lead as she trains to become an AOC trip leader!

Discover two of N. Buckhead’s hidden gems - Blue Heron Nature Preserve and a bit of PATH 400. (This event will be a co-lead for a trip leader to be.) We will start at the preserve whose trail meanders along Nancy Creek, past a bee apiary, community gardens, a wetlands area filled with turtles, then into woods where beaver and deer have been spotted. You’ll never believe you are almost parallel to Roswell Rd! After walking a trail that is a mix of hard-packed dirt and wooden boardwalks we will come to the Preserve’s field center where they are breeding native lizards and turtles. We will briefly look at who’s growing in the various outdoor tubs then continue to a quiet neighborhood street. This urban walk is suitable for beginners as well as experienced hikers wanting to discover something new. We will maintain an average 2.3 MPH walking pace. Note: there is one very short section where large stones and a handrail serve as steps to go up about 20 ft.

There is free parking located at Blue Heron Nature Preserve 4055 Roswell Road NE Atlanta, GA 30342. Note that while parking is provided there is NO public access to the building NOR its bathrooms! There is a porta-potty about 1.5 miles in. Alternative parking is on Rickenbacker near its intersection with Lakemoore. There is a pedestrian only gravel walkway driveway leading from Rickenbacker down into the parking lot.

We will meet in the Blue Heron Nature Preserve parking lot, but if you want to park on Rickenbacker simply walk down the gravel driveway located about 50 ft from the intersection with Lakemoore. Please arrive 10 minutes early for introductions.