North Georgia Mountains Outdoors

State Parks in the North Georgia Mountains - Ft. Mountains

2009-09-25T13:31:00.008-04:00

Ft. Mountain State Park is located on Highway 52 about
8 miles east of Chatsworth, Georgia.
The park consists of 3,712 acres including a 17 acre lake with swimming beach. There are 14 miles of hiking trails including an easy rated hike around the lake. It is recommended that you travel the lake loop clockwise so you can descend the 20% grade. Mountain bikers can also use the loop trail as well as several others which make up 27 miles of biking trails. Rentals of canoes, fishing boats and pedal boats are available at the park as well as horseback riding. North Georgia Mountains Outdoors blog sponsored by High Flight Designs. All information and photos posted on this blog are copyrighted by High Flight Designs and may not be used without prior written permission.

Free State Park Admission on Sept. 26th!

2009-09-12T17:14:00.004-04:00

On September 26, admission to all state parks and historic sites will be FREE! High Flight Designs encourages you to please visit your favorite park to show your support for SAVE My State Parks Day. Friends of Georgia State Parks, in partnership with Verizon Wireless will be sponsoring a state-wide day of service. You can get involved by showing up, showing your support and getting your hands dirty! Most sites will have a volunteer service project available to anyone who wants to help. North Georgia Mountains Outdoors blog sponsored by High Flight Designs. All information and photos posted on this blog are copyrighted by High Flight Designs and may not be used without prior written permission.

State Parks in the North Georgia Mountains - Black Rock

2009-09-05T22:31:00.007-04:00

Black Rock Mountain State Park is located on Black Rock Mountain Parkway, 3 miles north of Clayton, GA off US Hwy 441. The park consists of 1,743 acres and features fishing for bream, catfish, bass, perch and trout on the 17 acre lake.
Hikers can explore 11 miles of trails including the 7.2-mile James E. Edmonds Backcountry Trail, named in honor of one of the park’s first rangers. The trail offers both day hiking and backpack camping. In laurel-filled coves, the trail follows cascading streams with small waterfalls. In the northernmost section of the park, the it climbs to the summit of Lookoff Mountain and offers a stunning vista of Wolffork Valley and surrounding mountain ranges.
Black Rock Lake loop is a gently rolling .85-mile loop that is rated “easy” and is perfectly suited for beginners. Wooden bridges cross Taylor Creek and Greasy Creek, the two cascading streams that feed Black Rock Lake, and an 80-foot bridge spans Cricket Cove on the lake’s southwest corner. A wheelchair-accessible pier adjacent to Turtle Rock allows anglers a chance to fish. In addition, several tables along shady Taylor Creek offer the perfect location for a creek-side picnic.
Black Rock Mountain State Park, named for its sheer cliffs of dark-colored biotite gneiss, encompasses some of the most outstanding country in Georgia’s Blue Ridge Mountains. Located astride the Eastern Continental Divide at an altitude of 3,640 feet. There is a Visitor's Center at its summit. North Georgia Mountains Outdoors blog sponsored by High Flight Designs. All information and photos posted on this blog are copyrighted by High Flight Designs and may not be used without prior written permission.

State Parks in the North Georgia Mountains - Moccasin Creek

2009-09-05T22:01:00.009-04:00

Moccasin Creek State Park is located 20 miles north of Clarkesville, GA on Hwy 197 or 15 miles west of Clayton, GA via Hwy 76 and Hwy 197. Known as the park "where spring spends the summer," Moccasin Creek is nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains on the shores of lovely 2,800-acre Lake Burton. Despite its mountain location, the 32 acre park is relatively flat, offering easy navigation for children's bicycles and wheelchairs. A fully accessible fishing pier sits above a trout-filled creek open only to physically challenged visitors, senior citizens and children. Tour the adjacent trout rearing station, hike on several nearby mountain trails or simply relax in this peaceful setting. The park's central location makes it a perfect jumping off spot for mountain exploration.
Hikers will want to explore the 2 mile Hemlock Falls hiking trail and the Appalachian Trail is near the park.
Fishermen can rent a jon boat (in season) and fish for bass, crappie and bream in the lake. Stream fishing is restricted as noted above. Canoes are also available for rental. North Georgia Mountains Outdoors blog sponsored by High Flight Designs. All information and photos posted on this blog are copyrighted by High Flight Designs and may not be used without prior written permission.

State Parks in the North Georgia Mountains - Vogel

2009-08-27T12:28:00.010-04:00

Vogel State Park is located 11 miles south of Blairsville on US Highway 19 at the base of Blood Mountain in the Chattahoochee National Forest. Vogel is the second oldest state park in Georgia. At 2,500 feet elevation it is one of Georgia's highest altitude state parks.

Hikers can choose from a variety of trails, including the popular 4 mile Bear Hair Gap loop or an easy 1 mile loop of the lake. If you are looking for a more challenging trail, try the 13 mile Coosa Backcountry Trail.

The centerpiece of the park is the 22 acre Lake Trahlyta (pictured here). It is open to non-motorized boats. During summer, there is a beach area for your enjoyment as well as paddle boat rentals. The lake is stocked during trout season with trout and also has bass and bream. Directly below the lake is Trahlyta Falls.

Annual events are held including a springtime Wildflower Walk, Kids Fishing Rodeo, Mountain Music and Arts & Crafts Festival, Fall Hoedown and Christmas Tree Lighting.

The park is populated with white-tailed deer, grouse, raccoon and over 100 species of birds making it a popular area for birdwatchers.

The park was created by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the early 1930s and there is a small museum outlining the history of the Corps. The park also has a gift shop and miniature golf.

North Georgia Mountains Outdoors blog sponsored by High Flight Designs. All information and photos posted on this blog are copyrighted by High Flight Designs and may not be used without prior written permission.

Ocoee Whitewater Center - Something for Everyone!

2009-08-14T12:28:00.006-04:00

Though not actually in north Georgia, the Ocoee Whitewater Center is a favorite spot for many visitors to the north Georgia mountains. Located on the banks of the Ocoee River at the Tennessee/Georgia border, it is just a short drive and well worth the trip. It is a 4 acre recreation area that offers water activities, picnicking, hiking, biking, a nature-oriented gift shop, environmental education programs, a visitors center and year round special events. Recreation isn't the only activity occurring at the whitewater center as it has become a popular spot for outdoor weddings.
Mountain biking enthusiasts rank the 30 mile Tanasi Trail at the center as one of the premier mountain biking trails in the southeast. It consists of trails ranging from easy to difficult thereby attracting bikers of all skill levels.
For more information, please check out the Ocoee Whitewater Center website.
North Georgia Mountains Outdoors blog sponsored by High Flight Designs. All information and photos posted on this blog are copyrighted by High Flight Designs and may not be used without prior written permission.

Whitewater Rafting on the Ocoee River

2009-08-12T15:44:00.008-04:00

The Ocoee River in Tennessee became world famous as the whitewater rafting venue for the 1996 Summer Olympics. Although not actually located in the north Georgia mountains, many visitors to our mountains venture not far across the state line into Tennessee to enjoy rafting on the Ocoee.
Big, closely spaced rapids make the Ocoee one of the most popular whitewater rivers in the nation and it is ranked in the top ten by "Canoe Magazine". Located in the Cherokee National Forest in Tennessee, the river with its class 3 and 4 rapids flows through a gorge surrounded by beautiful scenery.
All rafts are manned by a guide and the minimum age requirement is 12.
North Georgia Mountains Outdoors blog sponsored by High Flight Designs. All information and photos posted on this blog are copyrighted by High Flight Designs and may not be used without prior written permission.

Appalachian Trail - Georgia to Maine

2009-08-07T16:13:00.007-04:00

Did you know the Appalachian Trail begins in our north Georgia mountains? Starting at Springer Mountain it stretches 2,180 miles to Mount Katahdin in Maine. The trail is the longest footpath in the United States. We here in Georgia have 75 miles of the trail to enjoy with the highest point in our state being at Blood Mountain at 4,461 feet.

Hikers that complete the entire trail in a single season are called "thru hikers". Those that traverse the trail during a series of separate trips are known as "section hikers". In 1948, Earl Shaffer of Pennsylvania completed the first documented thru hike. In 1998 Shaffer again hiked the entire trail...when he was 80 years old!
The trail is much more frequently hiked south to north than vice versa and those hikers are referred to as GAME (Georgia - Maine). Those heading south are called MEGA (Maine - Georgia).
Hikers typically begin the trek in March or April and finish in late summer or early fall, usually taking 5 to 7 months to complete the journey.
North Georgia Mountains Outdoors blog sponsored by High Flight Designs. All information and photos posted on this blog are copyrighted by High Flight Designs and may not be used without prior written permission.

Amicalola Falls State Park

2009-07-31T16:25:00.008-04:00

Amicalola is the Cherokee Indian word for "Tumbling Water". The falls are located in the Amicalola Falls State Park which is about 22 miles from Ellijay via Highways 52 and 183. The Southern Terminus Trail starts at the state park and after about an 8 1/2 mile hike, connects with the beginning of the Appalachian Trail at Springer mountain. I have seen this hike decribed by many to be a moderate difficulty rating with lots of ups and downs. Those that hiked from Amicalola to Springer Mtn. and back in just one day report the round trip lasted anywhere from 7 to 10 hours. In Spring, the rare flower, pink ladyslipper, can be found in spots along the trail and the view from Springer Mountain is fantastic.

Be sure to stop by the Visitor's Center during your time in the park. Whether you are planning to hike or just enjoy the beautiful waterfall, Amicalola Falls State Park is a must see when you are in the north Georgia mountains!