Sunday Evening Saunter Through Simpsonwood - Beginners Welcome!

Nestled among several neighborhoods, Simpsonwood Park is a 223 acre wooded oasis in the Northeast Atlanta suburb of Peachtree Corners.  A beautiful and tranquil setting that includes several streams, great views of the Chattahoochee River and a high potential to see deer and other wildlife.

What to expect:

• Approx. an hour and a half easy hike on natural, uneven terrain
• A 3.4 mile loop at a leisurely to moderate pace (appox. 2.1 - 2.3 mph)
• About 300 feet of total ascent
• Two easy water crossings
• One large tree to straddle over
• Potential muddy areas (especially after recent rain)
• An on-time departure (please arrive at least 10-15 minutes early)

**NEW** We'll begin our hike from the Chapel parking area inside the park (NOT AT THE ENTRANCE NEAR THE BATHROOM - see below for more details).

The first leg will take us through a dense forest, then we'll get to the old campground and head to the creek.  We'll follow the peaceful, meandering creek for a while until we get to the Chattahoochee River.

Then we will walk north along the Chattahoochee River making a detour to the Simpsonwood Labyrinth.

At the northern edge of the park, we'll turn east and walk away from the river.  We'll cross the main road and continue walking through the dense forest before we come back to our creek.  After a short distance along the creek we'll head toward the campground and back to the parking lot.

 Dogs are welcome as long as they are well behaved and on a leash.

The Simpsonwood Labyrinth

A labyrinth is different from a maze, though the two are often confused. The labyrinth is one of the oldest contemplative and transformational tools known to mankind, used for centuries of prayer, ritual, initiation, and personal and spiritual growth. This ancient and powerful tool is unicursal, offering only one route to the center and back out again; no blind alleys, dead ends or tricks, as in a maze. No matter where you are in the labyrinth’s coherent circuits, you can always see the center. Once you set your foot upon its path, the labyrinth gently and faultlessly leads you to the center of both the labyrinth and yourself, no matter how many twists and turns you negotiate in the process.

Address: 4511 Jones Bridge Circle, Peachtree Corners, GA 30092

The park is across the street from the Simpsonwood United Methodist Church

Note: there are two driveways - one is enter only and one is exit only.

When you turn into the park, do not park immediately on the left before the bathroom building.  This hike is departing from the Chapel parking lot which is further in the park.  You'll drive past the big meadow then come to a volley ball court, an outdoor pavillion and two porta potties.  Soon after that you'll see the "One Way" sign for the chapel on the right -- that's the second entrance to the parking lot where you will turn left to get in the parking lot facing the correct direction.  If you pass the Chapel on the right, you've gone too far.  There is no parking fee.

https://www.gwinnettcounty.c om/web/gwinnett/Departments/CommunityServices/ParksandRecreat ion/OurParksandFacilities/GuidetoYourParks/SimpsonwoodPark

Since we are not parking near the restroom, you can stop there on the way in before heading further into the park to the Chapel parking area.

Please note: there have been break-ins at this park so make sure there is nothing valuable or visible in your car.

Only active AOC members that are registered for this hike can participate.  Thanks for your understanding.