Saturday Morning Hike at Chicopee Woods

The hiking trails at Chicopee Woods are well maintained and provide a good oppurtunity to enjoy nature and get some excersise. From the Elachee Nature and Science Center overflow parking area we will start on the Dunlap Trail and hike to the West Lake Trail and on to the suspension bridge. There we will cross the bridge and go to the East Lake Trail where we turn right. This will take us to Chicopee Lake where we cross another parking area and the dam that takes us back to the West Lake Trail. That will take us back to the suspension bridge where we will cross for a second time and continue again to the East Lake Trail where this time we turn left. The East Lake Trail ends at the Mathis Trail where we turn right and go to the Dodd Trail where again we turn right. The Dodd Trail leads back to the Nature Center from where we can easily stroll back to the overflow parking area. This route is just over six miles with rolling terrain and small ravines. I often see deer and other wildlife in these woods.  

Elachee Nature and Science Center is located at 2125 Elachee Drive Gainesville, GA 30504. From I-985 exit #17 (GA Highway 13) take 13 north for 1.8 miles where there are two churches on the right. Turn right and then make another immediate right. In just less than a mile the road crosses over I-985 and the overflow parking area is just straight ahead. There are signs pointing the way from the time you exit the interstate. We will meet at the overflow parking area at 8:50 for introductions and begin hiking at 9am.