Friday Morning at Gold Branch

Ready for a brisk morning hike to get your engines revved for the weekend? Join me Friday morning at Gold Branch.  I hope you're not getting tired of this CNRA unit - - I'm not!  We'll change it up a bit, taking trails not often trod, as well as going around the perimeter. We'll just keep going till it's time to stop.

We will start the hike promptly at 10 am, so please arrive 5-10 minutes early to allow time to buy a parking pass and meet your fellow hikers.  This will be a moderately fast hike with a chance to pause periodically to regroup and catch our breath, if needed.  (I might use these pauses to take a photo or two!)  The terrain is hilly with some short, steep ascents, so it provides a good workout.  The views of the river and Bull Sluice Lake are always beautiful and never fail to lift spirits.  We will be near the shoreline throughout much of the hike, though we will add a couple of cross-trails  to add mileage and to take advantage of the ascents they provide.

This is NOT a beginner's hike or a hike for someone who is not in good shape.  We don't want to hold up the group, so if you can't keep up a fairly fast pace on hilly, rocky, rooted terrain, please get in shape with some D2's before tackling this hike.

We'll allow 3 members with dogs on the hike, so if three dog-people are already registered, please do not add yours.  Dogs should be able to keep up the pace and should be kept under control at all times.  There is a leash law at this and all CNRA trails, with a $75 fine per dog if violated (and caught!).

This is a unit of the CNRA, so a $3 parking fee is required (if you don't have an annual pass). Be sure to bring the correct amount in cash and arrive in time to purchase a day permit. 

There are no bathroom facilities at Gold Branch, so use a bathroom on the way or be prepared to use trees. (There's a MacDonald's on Lower Roswell Road just 100 yards from Johnson Ferry Road that's a convenient place to stop on your drive.)

Gold Branch is on Lower Roswell Road, between Johnson Ferry Road and Wileo Road.  The sign is now visible from the road since bushes have been trimmed during road expansion;  however, the park entrance is between residential subdivisions and is easy to miss if you're not watching for it.  If you're coming from Johnson Ferry Road, it's on the right, about 2 miles from Johnson Ferry.  If you're coming from Wileo, it's also a couple of miles, but on your left.  If you're following Azalea Drive and turn left onto Wileo, be aware that Wileo becomes Lower Roswell Road when it does a 90 degree left turn.  The park is 2 miles further down Lower Roswell - - on your left. Remember, it's very easy to pass right by it, so slow down and look for the little turn-off after 2 miles!  Here is the link providing detailed instructions:

http://www.np s.gov/chat/planyourvisit/goldbranch.htm  

The coordinates are 33.98237094  and -84.385314

$3 parking fee at this location.

Trail map available at
http://www.nps.gov/chat/planyourvisit/upload/Trail-Map-2006-Gold- Branch-B&W.pdf 

If it's wet outside, our plans will change.  We'll have to slow it down considerably because of the risk of slipping.  If it rains heavily, we'll cancel the event.