Return to Sandy Creek Nature Center in Athens, Ga !

Our first hike at Sandy Creek was a great success!  The trails were shaded and soft on the feet, and the setting was gorgeous.  So let's do it again!

There are several trails that circle the Nature Center, so we might explore a couple of them before we finish our hike.  We'll start with Cook's Trail, an out-and-back trail of 4.1 miles each way, which ends at Sandy Creek Park. We'll pause there for lunch/snacks before retracing our route back to the Nature Center.  (There are bathrooms at both ends of the trail.) Once back to the parking lot, we'll hike another mile to see the audobon blind, the remains of the brick works, and the the 1810 log cabin.  Then we'll make our way back to the parking lot via the Pine Ridge Trail or one of the other trails in the area.  There are several shorter trails we can hike depending on how we feel.  The entire area is so beautiful and peaceful!  

After the hike, we can eat dinner at a local Chinese buffet.   Those who ate there after our last hike really enjoyed the food, and the price was reasonable.  We'll have to decide who stays for dinner and who returns to the Park n' Ride when we form the carpools.

This is a D4 hike mainly for the distance.  Much of the area is relatively flat but there are some upgrades and descents that will provide a nice heart workout - - certainly nothing terribly steep.  Plus, the trails are easy on the feet - - not much in the way of rocks or roots.  This is NOT a hike for beginners, however!  It would be a nice introduction to a longer hike for those who have not yet done this distance, but are in shape for hikes of 7 - 8 miles.

The hike will finish around 5 PM.  Allow time for dinner (an hour) and the 1 hour drive back to Indian Trail when you plan your day.  We should be back at the carpool no later than 8 PM.  (Those leaving Athens after the hike should get back by 6 PM.)