Nodine’s Hill at Kennesaw Battlefield’s 40 Acre Woods

The 40+ acres surrounding Nodine's Hill was recently added to the Kennesaw Mountain Battlefield area.  At this time, it is totally undeveloped:   no trails, no signs, no ameneties of any kind - - perfect for an adventurous hike!  See the article regarding the acquisition of the land at  http://www.parktrust.org/news/press-release-and-media/809- kennesaw-mountain-national-battlefield-park-addition-protects-historic- battle-site

A group of AOC members led by Allan W. explored this area in early November. and we ventured into places we wouldn't want to go into again because of the difficulty of passage:  brambles and bogs that make trekking nearly impossible.  Now that we have made some mistakes, we're confident (well, Allan is!)  that we can hike to Nodine's Hill and back - - an area never before hiked by the AOC - - avoiding the obstacles we encountered on our first attempt.

We'll park and gather in the overflow parking lot about 1/4 mile from the Visitor's Center down Old 41 Hwy NW.  Note:  This is NOT the Visitor's Center lot! We will NOT be crossing the mountains on this hike, nor will we be hiking on any of the traditional trails throughout the area.

That being said, there are some things to consider before registering for this event.

1. You have to love adventure!  We will be hiking totally off trail through dense forests and meadows, fording a few small creeks in the process. We'll be off trail because there are no trails in this part of the Battlefield.   The leaves have covered the ground, so many rocks and obstacles are hidden.  Be forewarned!  Some of the land is rough and overgrown, though we will also be crossing some gorgeous meadow areas.

2. Waterproof shoes will prove most helpful.  Those little creeks could result in wet shoes and socks with a little misstep.  Depending upon the weather prior to the hike, the ground could be muddy in places.

3. If you have weak or compromised ankles, this is NOT a good hike for you!  The irregular terrain makes for some challenging footing, and ankle spraining is definitely a consideration.  A couple of folks in our exploratory group had falls during the hike  - -  no surprise, considering all of the obstacles hidden under the leaf fall.

4. You have to be able to pee in the woods!  We'll be out for 4-5 hours, taking in fluids, and there are no bathroom facilities at the trailhead or anywhere else along the route.  There are, however, abudant numbers of trees.  You can have your pick!

5. The group MUST stay together so as to assure everyone's safety. No racing ahead, lagging behind, or leaving early.

We will cancel if it rains.

This event will be kept rather small, so please don't sign up unless you plan to attend.