No Excuses Hike Wednesday Morning at Gold Branch

This is one of the series of No Excuses hikes, designed for the beginning hiker who has at least a little hiking experience. If you can handle the distance, you should be fine. There are no excuses for not signing up! Everyone is welcome to register, but plan to stay with the group if you join us. If you want a fitness hike, this event is not going to make you happy.

This will be a moderately paced hike through the trails at Good Branch. Reports are that the downed trees have been cleared and difficult parts of the trail rerouted, so hiking should be great.  (I hope you're not getting tired of this CNRA unit - - I'm not!)  We'll go around the perimeter, without any of the more hilly cross trails. There will be some elevation change and a bit of rock scrambling, but nothing too difficult at our moderate pace. If you can walk 4 miles, you will be fine. 

We will start the hike promptly at 10:30 am, so please arrive 5-10 minutes early to allow time to buy a parking pass and meet your fellow hikers. The terrain is hilly with some short, steep ascents, but our pace will not push you beyond your ability. We will stop as needed to assure that everyone is doing well. Gold Branch is an excellent trail to hike.  The views of the river and Bull Sluice Lake are always beautiful and never fail to lift spirits.   We will be near the shoreline throughout most of the hike, making for some very scenic views. Bring your camera, and plan to stop for photos from time to time.

We'll allow 3 members with dogs on the hike, so if three dog-people are already registered, please do not add yours.  Dogs should be able to keep up the pace and should be kept under control at all times.  There is a leash law at this and all CNRA trails, with a $75 fine per dog if violated (and caught!).

This is a unit of the CNRA, so a $3 parking fee is required (if you don't have an annual pass). Be sure to bring the correct amount in cash and arrive in time to purchase a day permit. 

There are no bathroom facilities at Gold Branch, so use a bathroom on the way or be prepared to use trees. (There's a MacDonald's on Lower Roswell Road just 100 yards from Johnson Ferry Road that's a convenient place to stop on your drive.)

Gold Branch is on Lower Roswell Road, between Johnson Ferry Road and Wileo Road.  The sign is now visible from the road since bushes have been trimmed during road expansion;  however, the park entrance is between residential subdivisions and is easy to miss if you're not watching for it.  If you're coming from Johnson Ferry Road, it's on the right, about 2 miles from Johnson Ferry.  If you're coming from Wileo, it's also a couple of miles, but on your left.  If you're following Azalea Drive and turn left onto Wileo, be aware that Wileo becomes Lower Roswell Road when it does a 90 degree left turn.  The park is 2 miles further down Lower Roswell - - on your left. Remember, it's very easy to pass right by it, so slow down and look for the little turn-off after 2 miles!  Here is the link providing detailed instructions:

http://www.np s.gov/chat/planyourvisit/goldbranch.htm  

The coordinates are 33.98237094  and -84.385314

$3 parking fee at this location.

Trail map available at
http://www.nps.gov/chat/planyourvisit/upload/Trail-Map-2006-Gold- Branch-B&W.pdf 

You can cancel yourself up to 8 am;  after that, please phone/text Joyce at 404-788-4089.