Overlook and Longleaf Loops at FD Roosevelt State Park

Who says you have to go north to experience mountain hiking – when there is the beautiful Pine Mountain Trail at FD Roosevelt State Park just a few miles south of the city. FD Roosevelt State Park is Georgia’s largest State Park with over 40 miles of trails to discover. For this event, we will be exploring two loops with a one mile connector betwixt them -- the Overlook Loop (3.4 miles, named for the great views) and the Long Leaf Loop (6.5 miles, named for the Long Leaf Pines) for a total of just under 12 miles with about 1600 of vertical ascent. This is a great hike to get in a good scenic D4. For the most part plan to maintain a moderate pace, at brief times slowing to a leisurely pace for some of the scenic sections. Expect an average moving speed of about 2.5 mph – not including breaks. There are LOTs of trail crossings and intersections and it is very easy to get lost. So, with that in mind, we will stick together as a group -- staying within visual and/or audible range throughout the hike.

Details: The carpool will leave promptly at 7:30 and we will begin the hike at about 9:00 am from the parking lot just across from the Calloway Gardens Country Store (no charge to park). We will start the hike on the bottom half of the Overlook loop hiking westbound on the blue blazed Pine Mountain Trail for about 6.3 miles. Plan to take a break for lunch at close to this point. We then turn left onto the Pool trail until it meets the Mountain Creek Trail where we turn left and follow until we meet the Pine Mountain trail -- thus completing the Long Leaf Loop.

We continue eastbound, backtracking, until we reach the Chestnut Oak Trail which we take back to our cars (completing the top half of the Overlook Loop). Arriving back at the parking lot we will celebrate with high fives, fist bumps, and selfies before driving back to the carpool.

Here is a map of the route we will be taking:
https://www.gaiagps.com/datasummary/track/d5dd224e-eb2e-43a0-8866-7bb6c70510d9/?layer=openhikingmapHD

Travel south of Atlanta from I-285 onto I-85 south toward Montgomery to exit 21 for I-I85 toward Columbus/Fort Benning. You will only be on I-185 a few miles to Exit 42 and US 27 south (5.9 miles from the start of the off ramp off I-85 to the off ramp at Exit 42).

Take a left at the end of the Exit 42 off ramp (US 27 South) and go for 14 miles -- the store will be on the right and the parking lot on your left.

Click the link below for Google Map Directions:
https://goo.gl/maps/Hd8dZNZcaH52

Carpool:

Your Trip Leader will already be at the event location, so a carpool coordinator will be determined sometime after registration opens.