Estelle Mine, Pocket Loop, and Wildflower Trails

Summary:
Pigeon Mountain is a beautiful plateau just west of the city of La Fayette, Georgia. The mountain is part of the Cumberland Plateau, which stretches from Alabama through Georgia and into Tennessee. The name "Pigeon" comes from the passenger pigeon which once nested here in great numbers and is now extinct.

The Crockford-Pigeon Wildlife Management Area is 16,400 acres and encompasses most of Pigeon Mountain. The area is known for its many caves and geological rock formations, as well as lookouts, waterfalls, wildflowers, and springs. The WMA has nearly 100 miles of various trails designated for hiking, biking, equestrian, or multi-use.

The Crockford-Pigeon WMA is a GORP (Georgia Outdoor Recreational Pass) WMA – meaning that a GORP is required for entry or any activities within the WMA. You can purchase a GORP online, or at a retailer for $3.50.

The Hike:
We will hike along 5 different trails in the area to form loop of approximately 12 miles. The first part of the hike will be along the Shirley Miller Wildflower Trail located in “The Pocket”. Unfortunately, there won't be wildflowers blooming this time of year.

After reaching the end of the Pocket Trail, we will arrive at Pocket Falls... a very nice waterfall cascading over a sandstone bluff. There is a hidden cave behind the waterfall, and it is our full intention to go behind the falls and find it.

We will then hike out of “The Pocket” and ascend about 1,000 feet to reach the plateau on Pigeon Mountain. From there we will hike along the rim taking in the view from a few overlooks. After a few miles we will then begin our descent down the north side of the mountain on a couple trails until we reach the Estelle Mine Trail.

The last portion of our hike will take us along the Estelle Mine Trail, which is, in part, on an old abandoned narrow gauge railway used to transport the iron ore which was mined here in the past. This portion of the hike is very cool and unique as we will go through 4 – 5 tunnels, some well over 100 feet in length. Although you can “see the light at the end of the tunnel” in each of these, it gets pretty dark when inside, – too dark to see the very rocky ground on which you'll be tripping; or falling on, if you don't bring your headlamp or flashlight.

The following is a Youtube video which shows much of the Estelle Mine Trail, some of “The Pocket”, and “Pocket Falls”. Although the music, by Patty Lovelace, is about coal mining “holler” in KY, it seems very fitting for the mining history of this area. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UBk2AKG7sJk

Disclaimer:
Although I've hiked this loop before, it's been almost two years, so I don't know the recent condition of some of the trails. There's also a short scramble ( a couple hundred feet) out of the pocket that's off-trail.

We will be stopping to grab a bite to eat at the Pigeon Mountain Grill, just a few miles from the trailhead. If you do not wish to join them make sure you check with your carpool driver/riders prior to departing the carpool.

http://pigeonmtcountrystore.webs.com

Will be provided at carpool.