Friday Morning at Sope Creek (Paper Mill Entrance)

Let's do a moderate hike around Sope Creek.  

If some folks haven't seen the Sope Creek ruins, we'll check them out; otherwise, we'll just spend our time traipsing around the trails, venturing into the Cochran Shoals unit.   The trails through the area are all beautiful, and if we're lucky, we might even catch a view of turtles sunning themselves on the turtle logs at Sibley Pond.

We'll be keeping a moderate pace on this hike. Though this is not a beginner's hike (some of the trails are hilly and rocky) if you're up for the distance and can handle moderate elevation changes at a steady pace, you'll probably be okay. This is NOT a fitness hike, so we'll stop as needed for views of the river, water, or just for a breather. 

The Sope Creek parking lot off Paper Mill Road is a more secluded entrance to the Cochran Shoals unit of the Chattahoochee NRA.  It's located among some very exclusive subdivisions, so you'll enjoy the drive!  If you're coming from Johnson Ferry Rd., it's just past the Sope Creek bridge, on your left. If you're coming from I-75 on Papermill, it will be on your right, after you pass the Sibley Forest subdivision but before you reach the Sope Creek bridge.

Please remember there is a $5 National Park Service parking fee, unless you have a Chattahoochee CRNRA annual pass or an America the Beautiful pass.  Passes may be purchased online in advance at https://www.nps.gov/chat/planyourvisit/fees.htm

If you bring your dog, it should be able to keep up with the group and interact well with other dogs and people. The Chattahoochee NRA requires that owners keep their dogs on a leash and clean up after their pets on the trails. Please be willing to keep your dog on leash out of consideration to other hikers, because it's the law and because the reputation of the AOC is damaged when members break the leash law.

No bathrooms at this unit!

Sope Creek Parking Lot (Paper Mill Road)

3760 Paper Mill Rd SE
Marietta, GA

GPS Coordinates: 33.939515,-84.441905

Directions: Take Interstate 75 North out of Atlanta to Windy Hill Road (exit 260). Turn right on Windy Hill Road, and then left on Powers Ferry Road. At the intersection of Powers Ferry and Terrell Mill Road, take a right on Terrell Mill. Take a right on Paper Mill Road; the park entrance is approximately 1 mile further on Paper Mill Road on the right.

From Johnson Ferry Road, cross the river going North; turn left at the Paper Mill Road intersection, past the Columns Drive light.  Stay on Paper Mill as it winds along to the Sope Creek bridge.  Once you cross the bridge, be alert for the Sope Creek sign on your left, about 1/4 mile from the bridge.

If you're traveling south on Johnson Ferry Road, turn right at Paper Mill Road and proceed according to the directions above.

Trail Map - https://www.nps.gov/chat/planyourvisit/maps.htm

Pay your $5 parking fee in advance at: https://www.nps.gov/chat/planyourvisit/fees.htm

 No bathroom facilities at this location, but the trees and bushes provide good cover!