SWEETWATER CREEK SP (White + Red)

DISCLAIMER: This moderately fast-paced hike involves a substantial amount of rock scrambling along the creek. So, if you have mobility issues, are recovering from injury, or prefer a slow pace, please sit this one out!

Start your week off right with some quality outdoor time on this briskly-paced hike at Sweetwater Creek State Park. The grand plan is to start off on the White trail from the Visitor Center, curve around to the creek, pick up the Red trail which brings us past the Manchester Mill ruins and back to the Visitor Center. GA State Parks trail descriptions say:

White Trail: 5.2 mile loop. Blazed white. Rated moderate to difficult.

The White Trail passes through some of the most remote areas of the park west of Sweetwater Creek. It connects to the end of the Red trail following the rapids as they continue down the creek. The trail then turns west and follows Jack’s Branch upstream to Jack’s Lake. This stream community has a great variety of spring wildflowers. Hikers will also pass through areas covered with ferns, Bigleaf Magnolias, Wild Azaleas and Mountain Laurel. After climbing out of the lake valley the trail passes through the Jack’s Hill area, a former farming community now known for its open meadows and a favorite of bird watchers.

Red Trail: 1 mile one way. Blazed red. Rated easy to difficult.

The Red Trail, after half a mile, takes you to the impressive New Manchester mill ruins alongside the white-water rapids of Sweetwater Creek and is the recommended hike for first-time visitors. New Manchester was a mid-nineteenth century mill town which met its demise during the Civil War. The second half mile of the Red Trail, downstream of the mill, continues to follow the rapids to the Sweetwater Falls area and is considerably more strenuous because of the very rocky terrain.

I will email participants the exact meeting location and detailed directions a few days before the event.

1. Please, no unregistered guests or +Ones!

2. Late cancellations, particularly within 36 hours of the event, make it difficult for those on the waitlist to attend. Please be courteous to your fellow AOC members and cancel with as much notice as possible.

3. If you need to get in touch, the best way is to TEXT me with your NAME and details. FYI, thanks to those annoying robocalls, calling me will send you to my voicemail, but feel free to leave a message.

4. I usually hike RAIN-or-SHINE! However, in case of severe weather or other unforeseen emergencies that warrant a cancellation, I will text/email you at least TWO HOURS before the start of the event.

There is no cost for this event, however, Sweetwater Creek State Park charges a $5 entry fee per vehicle. The good news: If you have the annual Georgia State Park parking pass, you're in for free! To buy your GA park pass, go here: https://gastateparks.org/ThingsToKnow

In order to earn credit for this event, participants must complete the entire hike/event with the group, or within the stated time frame.