Sweetwater Creek - White Trail (5 miles)

Let’s visit a local favorite, Sweetwater State Park!

SITE DESCRIPTION: Sweetwater Creek State Park is a peaceful tract of wilderness nestled in 2,549 acres. Trails follow the stream to the ruins of the New Manchester Manufacturing Company, a textile mill burned during the Civil War. Beyond the mill, the trails climb rocky bluffs and wind through fields and forests.

EVENT TIME: 10:00AM - 2:00PM.  

EVENT DESCRIPTION:  Let's hike the white trail! After the usual meet & greet we’ll start our hike from the Visitor Center. The trail will wind us through the forest and along meandering creeks to take us to the historic New Manchester Ruins on the impressive waters of Sweetwater Creek.  After taking a short break for pictures and regroup we’ll continue our hike along the Sweetwater Creek descending stairs and traversing rocks/boulders. About halfway the trail turns away from the creek and leads us into the forest to Jack’s Lake. From the lake we encounter our longest steady climb upwards ascending about 200ft in elevation. Once atop Jacks’ Hill we’ll follow a gravel road for a fair bit before the trail returns to the forest and to the Visitor Center.

NEED TO KNOW:

• The museum/visitor center will be OPEN.
• The restrooms are OPEN.
• A $5 parking fee applies here. Please arrive early if paying onsite. You can purchase a daily or annual pass at the Visitor Center BUT please arrive early if you intend to purchase your pass that morning.

HIKE RATING:   D2 – We will make several stops and will likely settle out to a 2.5-2.8 mph pace.  This is like any north GA terrain. There will be hills. All creek crossing are over bridges BUT be aware that there may be sections of the trail along the Sweetwater Creek that are muddy or even underwater. We’ll adjust our route accordingly. However, I do not foresee this being too much an issue.

REQUIRED:  Georgia State Park Pass. Annual or Daily. CC/Debit are accepted. PLEASE arrive early if you intend to purchase a pass.

WATER:   Bring more water than you think you need. You would rather have it and not need it than need and not have it.  I personally carry 1.5-2 liters of water for this hike rating.

HIKING POLES?:  There will be rocks, roots, and grade changes that may warrant hiking poles. Hiking poles are OPTIONAL. 

FOOD:  It’s always a good idea to pack a snack just in case you get the munchies.

ATTIRE: General hiking attire will suffice. Water shoes are not needed. 

DOGS?: Dogs are allowed but MUST be on a 6ft leash at all times. 

1750 Mt. Vernon Road, Lithia Springs, GA 30122

Cancellation may occur if unforeseen rain/storms are forecast.