R/S from 2/15/25
Sweetwater Creek State Park - only 20 minutes from Midtown ATL but you will feel like you're up in North Georgia somewhere.
Meet at the visitor's center - very large parking lot with a couple of adjacent overflow lots - starting this hike early so shouldn't be any trouble to find parking.
If you have not been to Sweetwater you are in for a treat and it will be your new "favorite" park as it is mine.
Starting at the visitor's center, we will take the white trail ( 5 miles) around and down to the red trail (1 mile) which runs parallel to Sweetwater Creek - if water is high, and even if it isn't, it's a spectacular route - the water rushes by, the sound is refreshing. This is tricky terrain. Poles are recommended. If you are unsure or your footing or balance, please consider. We will go slow through this section and at a moderate pace through the rest of the hike. We are within 1/4 of a mile back to the visitors center when we reach the ruins of the New Manchester Mill on the red trail.
Don't forget there is a $5 state parking fee unless you have an annual GA state parks pass. The CRNRA pass does not work here. There is a tollbooth at entrance to pay the $5 which is usually attended. if not there is a kiosk in the parking lot to purchase parking.
There is an optional 2.3 mile orange trail but I'm going to be in a tear to get to Lawrenceville by 2pm so I'm going to pass today.
There are restrooms at beginning and end - no facilities during the hike.