Undiscovered jewel - Coopers Furnace

To clarify,it has been pointed out by a couple of people on the event,that it starts at 11am and carpool departure at 11:15am. To me the event always starts with meeting folks at the carpool, signing waiver for those meeting there. The actual hike and waiver signing for those 'meeting at event', will probably be noon-12:30 before the hike actually starts.

This is my return journey to AOC and sharing the outdoors with friends and others I've done so much in the past several years-except last year-say no more. It became obvious to me, that my hiking muscles have suffered in being away from hiking last year; as in a recent checkout hike with good friends from AOC, I had a little harder time than I would have imagined; and need for now to stick with shorter less difficult hikes until totally reformed.

All that aside, this is a relatively easy 3 mile hike, excursion to a nice little park with wildflowers, interpretive signs, a pretty little overlook; then eventually after climbing several hundred feet on this gently inclined uphill trail, we end up at a great park office at the top and a fantastic overlook a bit further up, of the Lake Allatoona Dam and if we are blessed with it, see some Eastern Bluebirds that come from local nesting sites I've seen many times at the top of this hill around the DAM overlook.

Join me in my rekindling of the hiking experience in all its glory; at this great little hiking trail for a touch of nature before getting back to your lives and details thereof, in the later afternoon.

Be advised, I am not currently, or have I ever been a racer on trails with speed goals to prove. I like to take it slow to abundantly enjoy the sights and sounds of nature and share with others-so if you're in a race to get to the top first please do it; but you'll not be in tune with me or the group I wish to join me this day.