Living on the Edge - Outer trails of Sope Creek and Cochran Shoals

Join me for a really beautiful fitness hike. This hike is not for anyone who cannot sustain an average pace of 3.3 miles an hour for 8 miles, 2.5 hours and 1100 feet of elevation. 

We will begin our hike at the Sope Creek lot and then head down to the ruins. From there we will head left and continue on the ridge trail that will give us a lovely view of the creek and the old ruins on the other side. 

We then stick to the outer trails following a small feeder stream and head off to the outer edge bike trails. This hike is limited to 8 as much of it will be on bike trails and we must stay in single file and watch for bikes. 

We will skim the edge of the park and enter in to Cochran shoals where at the 3.3 mile point, we can take a short break and use the restrooms there. From here, we will walk on the flat surface next to the river very fast. 

We will walk to the bridge and turn right to head to the outer running track but enter back in to the trails walking along Terrell Mill Creek. From here, we stay on the outer edge  bike trails and  experience some good up and down terrain and head back in to Sope Creek sticking to the edge trails until we reach Sibley Pond. 

We will walk around the pond and head past the pond on the Sope Creek trails to get back to the parking lot and this little extra mileage brings us to our full 8 miles, plus we get a good hill to conquer at the end to let us know we are working our legs. 

We will not be stopping a lot on this hike, so it is advisable to bring a backpack/bladder type water dispenser or easily accesible bottles in a waist pack that you can grab while moving. 

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