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South River PATH Trail Hike + GSU Botanical Garden Visit




The Basics:
Event Type:Hike
Event Location: GSU Decatur Campus in east metro Atlanta near I-285/ I-20 interchange   Hike: South River PATH Trail Hike + GSU Botanical Garden Visit  National Weather Service Forecast
Date(s) & Time:Fri, Oct 14 2016  9:00 am >> Fri, Oct 14 2016 12:00 pm
Registration Opens: Wed, Oct 12 2016 8:00 am
Registration Cut Off: Fri, Oct 14 2016 8:00 am
Event Duration:3 Hours - or bring a bag lunch and stay for the noon-hour talk.
Difficulty Rating:D1: Easy
Distance:4 Miles
Pace:Leisurely
Trip Leader(s):
Charlie Cottingham
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Member Cost:None

Participant Info:
Who's Invited: Members Only, 21 And Older Only
Maximum Group Size:12
Minimum Group Size:2
Number Registered So Far: 5 / 0 (To see who's signed up, log in to the Member Area)
Are Dogs Permitted: No

Itinerary:

IN a NUTSHELL:  Hope you can join us Friday morning for a delightful "combo" hiking + nature appreciation event at GA State University's beautiful Decatur Campus in SE Metro Atlanta.  We'll gather at 9:00 AM in the GSU Botanical Garden parking lot - see detailed directions & GPS info below.  After introductions we'll begin with an easy 2-mile "PATH trail" hike - then conclude with a series of fascinating Garden events hosted by friendly native plant experts.  If you need to return to work or home, etc. feel free to "split early" from our AOC group at any time, provided that you let me know you're doing so.

SOUTH RIVER TRAIL HIKE PLAN: After introductions near the Garden Entrance gate, we''ll depart on foot together a few minutes after 9 AM from the parking lot and first enjoy about an hour of hiking (a little more than 2 miles).  We'll explore the lovely South River Trail from its newly opened eastern trailhead and bridge on the GSU campus westward alongside the South River - then back to the GSU Garden via a similar route.  Portions of the trail adjoin two of the river's pretty tributaries, Doolittle Creek and Sugar Creek.

GSU GARDEN EVENTS:  Just after the hike we'll spend at about 15 minutes visiting the GSU Native Plant Garden greenhouses, where hundreds of beautiful potted native plants are displayed and offered for sale by the friendly volunteers.  Then at 10:30 AM we'll join native plants expert Pat Smith for a leisurely guided walk through the Garden focusing on the topic Bird Food in the Garden.   Each spring and fall the Garden sponsors these weekly "Friday open-house walk & talk" events hosted by expert naturalists.  The garden is famous for its hundreds of species of beautiful trees, wildflowers, shrubs, vines, ferns and other fascinating plants.  Their "Ferns of the World" exhibit is said to have perhaps more different species of ferns than any other garden in the United States!
  Then at 12:00 Noon those of us who can afford the extra hour will regroup in a nearby classroom for presentation by naturalist Rick Barnes entitled "Adaptations of Plants for Survival."  Bring a picnic lunch if you like, and we can enjoy our lunches (and share any of our extra items) both before and during the classroom talk.  As I've emphasized above, if you can join us only for the Walk, or the Talk, but not both - no problem.  Feel free to arrive and depart as your schedule permits.  

FOR MORE about GSU's BOTANICAL GARDEN and lots of lovely photos click on the following link:  http://gpcnativegarden.org/index.html
Note that the garden's location was formerly called the "GA Perimeter College Decatur Campus."  For a complete schedule of their free "Friday open-house walks & talks" this season (and their specific topics) click on "Plant Talks and Garden Walks" on the left side of the Home Page.  The Garden's Phone Number is 678-891-2668.


Required Items to Bring:


- Wear comfortable Clothing & Walking Shoes.
- Consider bringing a little Water and/or hydrate well before the event.

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


- A light Daypack or Fanny Pack for carrying your personal items.
- A Picnic Lunch & Beverage. We can take the time to have lunch together just after the guided walk and/or during the optional noon-hour talk.
- A Pen or Pencil and small Notebook in case you'd like to take notes.
- Your Camera! The GPC Garden is a very photogenic place and your shots can remind you of new plant species you've learned, etc.
- Some Cash and/or your Checkbook in case you'd like to purchase some of the nice potted native plants for your own garden or as gifts for friends.
- A compact Umbrella or other light raingear, esp. if there's a likelihood of showers in the forecast.


How to Get There:
Event Directions:

DIRECTIONS from the I-285/ I-85 "SPAGHETTI JCN" INTERCHANGE in NE METRO ATLANTA:
1. From the I-285/ I-85 Interchange (near Doraville) take I-285 southward about 15 miles and get off at the "Flat Shoals Rd" exit .  (This is Exit #48 which is 2 mi south of the big east-side I-285/ I-20 interchange).
2. Turn Right onto Flat Shoals Road and go just 0.2 mile (northwestward) to the traffic light at Panthersville Rd.
3. Turn Left onto Panthersville Rd and continue straight ahead for about 1 mile (southward). After passing through the traffic light at Clifton Springs Rd stay on Panthersville Rd but get in the rightmost lane of traffic.
4. About 0.1 mile beyond the above-mentioned traffic light look for a small "Botanical Garden" sign and turn Right (off Panthersville Rd) into the large parking lot.
5. Meet me and our AOC group a few minutes before 9:00 AM in the far side of the parking lot near the garden entrance steps. (If you arrive early feel free to explore the garden on your own before you meet us.)

For a zoomable map or satellite view of our meetup spot near the garden entrance click on the rectangular blue &green "Event Location" icon near the top of this article.

You GPS Users may wish to augment the above directions by entering the following Lat/Lon coordinates of our meetup spot as your destination: 33.68706,-84.27415


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

Cost Includes:

FREE Event with free Parking and never a Garden Entrance Fee!


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