Post Shutdown Chattahoochee Adventure Hike

Have you been wanting to go to the closed national parks but couldn't? If so now that the government shutdown is finally over this 16 mile hike through Sope Creek, Cochran Shoals, East and West Palisades may be for you. If you are interested in what to expect, photos from an earlier hike on this route can be seen here however be aware that the water was much higher than normal that day:
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Please note that it is not for beginners as although it is flat for a good portion of the hike the distance and some technical sections make for a long day.You will also be expected to be able to get up and down over 4-5ft tall  logs and rocks in the more technical sections.

This hike will be starting in Sope Creek and then heading into Cochran Shoals. From Cochran Shoals we will cross under 285 and then cross the Chattahoochee on the bridge and begin working our way along the river into East Palisades.  We will be staying along the river and will experience some technical sections on the way to the Whitewater Creek parking lot.  From the Whitewater Creek parking lot to the US 41 bridge the trail disappears in places and some very minor bushwacking may be needed to continue along the river. I would recommend having a pair of pants that you can quickly throw on for this part of the hike.

After crossing the Chattahoochee for the second time on the US41 bridge we will take a short snack/lunch/rest break by the river before continuing on the trail through West Palisades. Just as in East Palisades there will be some technical sections where scrambling up and over rocks will be needed although the large portion of the section is flat.

We will then continue back through Cochran shoals and into Sope Creek finishing out the day checking out the old ruins before heading to our cars.

You should be aware that the brief cliff sections along the river in both East and West Palisades include doing some easy scrambling and walking on narrow ledges. This is probably not advisable to anyone that is truly afraid of heights. In general we will try to stay along the riverside but in places it will be necessary to go up the cliffs which may include the need to pull yourself up steep sections holding onto rocks or trees. Additionally be aware that your feet may get wet in this section depending on the route we choose to take and the water level.  The pace in this section will be greatly reduced so that we can carefully make our way through some very technical terrain.

The hike will last somewhere between 6 and 8 hours depending on the pace of the group. Please try to arrive a couple of minutes early as we will be starting right on time at 9:30am and be aware that the bridge over Sope Creek just Northeast of the parking area on Paper Mill Road is closed.

Due to the bridge over Sope Creek on Paper Mill being closed I have edited the directions for people coming on 285.

From eastbound Interstate 285

• Take exit for 75 Northbound
• Take exit 260, Windy Hill Road.
• Right to Powers Ferry Road.
• Left for .9 miles to Terrell Mill Road
• Right on Terrell Mill Road for 1.6 miles to ‘right’ turning lane for Paper Mill Road.
• Unit will be on right 1.1 miles down the road.

From westbound Interstate 285

• Take exit 22 for New Northside Dr toward Northside Dr/Powers Ferry Rd

• Keep right at the fork, follow signs for Central Michigan University and merge onto New Northside Dr
• Continue onto Interstate N Pkwy/Riveredge Ln NW

• Turn right onto Powers Ferry Rd SE

From northbound Interstate 75

• Take exit 260, Windy Hill Road.
• Right to Powers Ferry Road.
• Left for .9 miles to Terrell Mill Road
• Right on Terrell Mill Road for 1.6 miles to ‘right’ turning lane for Paper Mill Road.
• Unit will be on right 1.1 miles down the road.

From southbound Interstate 75

• Take exit 260, Windy Hill Road.
• Left to Powers Ferry Road.
• Left for .9 miles to Terrell Mill Road
• Right on Terrell Mill Road for 1.6 miles to ‘right’ turning lane for Paper Mill Road.
• Unit will be on right 1.1 miles down the road.

There is a $3 daily parking fee at the Sope Creek parking lot.

It is almost guaranteed that we will end up going through some areas with poison ivy close to the trail along the way and you may want to avoid the hike or have long sleeves and pants to throw on for a few sections if you are highly allergic