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CRNRA BOWMANS ISLAND UNIT




The Basics:
Event Type:Hike
Event Location: CUMMING, GA   Hike: CRNRA BOWMANS ISLAND UNIT   National Weather Service Forecast
Date(s) & Time:Sat, Sep 3 2016  8:30 am >> Sat, Sep 3 2016 11:00 am
Registration Opens: Tue, Aug 30 2016 8:00 pm
Registration Cut Off: Fri, Sep 2 2016 10:00 pm
Event Duration:2 Hours 30 Minutes
Difficulty Rating:D2: Easy to Moderate (Exploratory)
Distance:5 Miles
Pace:Moderate
Trip Leader(s):
Diana
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Member Cost:None

Participant Info:
Who's Invited: Members Only, 21 And Older Only
Maximum Group Size:10
Minimum Group Size:4
Number Registered So Far: 7 / 0 (To see who's signed up, log in to the Member Area)
Are Dogs Permitted: No

Note: This is an "EXPLORATORY" trip. This means that there are parts of this trip, or perhaps the whole trip, that is new to your Trip Leader(s). However, they are confident that this will not be an issue.
This note is here so that you can make an informed decision. When a Trip Leader isn't personally familiar with a trip, there is an increased chance of things not going as planned and you need to be prepared. The Trip Leader may have additional details in the itinerary.

Itinerary:

5 MILE HIKE FROM LOWER POOL WEST PARK TO BUFORD TROUT HATCHERY AND RETURN TO LOWER POOL WEST PARK

We’ll start our hike promptly at 8:30am.  Please arrive a few minutes early to ensure you have a parking pass, utilize the toilets, and meet your fellow hikers.

We will begin our hike where the Chattahoochee River is released from the south side of Lake Lanier.  We’ll walk at a moderate pace (about 2.5 mph) through some forest hills and along the river and make our way down to the Buford Trout Hatchery.  Here we’ll take a few minutes to check out the fish and utilize the toilets, if they are available.  If time allows we will walk the Hatchery nature trail to get a bit more mileage.  We will return to Lower Pool West Park repeating much of the trail we used to get to the Hatchery.  Highlights of the hike include:  varied terrain/environment (dry hills, ridges, lush flats by River), water features (creeks, River), fish hatchery, wildlife (deer often sighted).

We will meet in the parking lot of Lake Lanier’s “Lower Pool West Park” site, not to be confused with either “Lower Pool East” or “Lower Overlook”.   Lower Pool West Park is immediately below/south of the lake at the dam, on the west side of the river.  Lower Pool West Park is accessed from Buford Dam Road via “Lower Pool Road”.  On the north side of Buford Dam Road is a street sign for “Lower Pool Road”.  The approximate latitude/longitude for the turnoff from Buford Dam Road into the park are:  N 34.16284 W 84.07703.  The entrance does not look like a park entrance.  As you turn onto Lower Pool Road you’ll see substantial utility station equipment.  But, you’ll also see a sign welcoming you to the park. 

WARNING:  MAPS MAY SUGGEST THAT THIS ROAD IS CALLED “LITTLE MILL ROAD”.  YOU ARE ADVISED NOT TO ASK YOUR GPS TOOL FOR DIRECTIONS TO LITTLE MILL ROAD.  MOST GPS APPS SHOULD ACCEPT A REQUEST FOR DIRECTIONS TO LOWER POOL WEST PARK.

Shortly after turning onto “Lower Pool Road” you will encounter a kiosk at which you can purchase a Corps of Engineers parking pass for $5.  Alternatively, you can display your current Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area pass.  Drive down the road.  We’ll meet in the first parking lot, on your right.

There are restrooms “around the bend” from our meeting point, maybe 50 yards beyond the parking lot we’ll be using.  There are also restrooms at the ~ ½ way point, though no assurance that these will be open.  


Required Items to Bring:

Hiking Shoes/Boots

Water

Recommended Items to Bring:
Use our Event Checklists to make sure you have everything you need.

Hiking pole(s)


How to Get There:
Event Directions:

If any trouble finding the LOWER POOL parking area call me - DIANA   678- 759-9732

From GA 400, driving North from points South of GA-400/GA-20:
Take exit #14, Buford Hwy/GA-20
Head East on GA-20
At ~ .5 miles, turn LEFT/NE onto Sanders Road
Follow Sanders Rd for ~ .8 miles
Turn RIGHT/EAST onto Buford Dam Road
Follow Buford Dam Road EAST, then SE for ~ 3.7 miles
Turn RIGHT Lower Pool Road
This road is IMMEDIATELY before the dam where the River is released.
This road looks like the WRONG place to turn; it doesn’t look like you are entering a park.  You’ll see utility facilities as you enter.
Follow Lower Pool Road, downhill, for ~ .7 miles.
En route you will pass a park kiosk where you can purchase a Corps of Engineers parking pass.
Park your vehicle at the “bottom” of the road, in the parking lot on the right.  The restrooms are about 50 yards further along.
 
From GA 400, driving South from points North of GA- 400/GA-20:
Take exit #15, Bald Ridge Marina Rd.
Head East on Bald Ridge Road
At ~ .3 miles, turn RIGHT onto Turner Road
Follow Turner Rd for ~ .2 miles
Turn RIGHT/SOUTH onto Market Place Blvd
Follow Market Place Blvd for ~ 1.4 miles
Turn LEFT onto Buford Dam Road
Follow Buford Dam Road EAST then SE for ~ 4.3 miles
Turn RIGHT onto Lower Pool Road
This road is IMMEDIATELY before the dam where the River is released.
This road looks like the WRONG place to turn; it doesn’t look like you are entering a park.  You’ll see utility facilities when you enter.
Follow Lower Pool Road, downhill, for ~ .7 miles.
En route you will pass a park kiosk where you can purchase a Corps of Engineers parking pass.
Park your vehicle at the “bottom” of the road, in the parking lot on the right.  The restrooms are about 50 yards further along.
 
From I-85, driving North from points South of Lake Lanier:
Take exit #113, I-985
Follow I-985 for ~ 3.5 miles, then take
Exit #4, GA-20/US-23S
At the exit, turn LEFT and follow GA- 20 W/NW for ~ 3.3 miles
Turn RIGHT onto Sycamore Road
Follow Sycamore Road NORTH for ~ 2.6 miles
Turn LEFT onto Buford Dam Road
Follow Buford Dam Road N/NW for ~ 2.3 miles
Lake Lanier will be on your right
Immediately after you cross over the dam out of which the River, emerges
Turn LEFT onto Lower Pool Road
This road is IMMEDIATELY after the dam where the River is released.
This road looks like the WRONG place to turn; it doesn’t look like you are entering a park.  You’ll see utility facilities upon entering.
Follow Lower Pool Road, downhill, for ~ .7 miles.
En route you will pass a park kiosk where you can purchase a Corps of Engineers parking pass.
Park your vehicle at the “bottom” of the road, in the parking lot on the right.  The restrooms are about 50 yards further along.
 

Notes:
* We encourage all members to follow our Etiquette Guidelines while participating in AOC events.


Cancellation/Partial Attendance:   Please review the AOC cancellation policy.