The Back Trails of McDaniel Farm Park

I have always really enjoyed McDaniel Farm Park, but the main downside is the paved trails. Natural surfaces are just so much easier on your knees and other joints. Thankfully over many years, there have been multiple side trails that have magically appeared, and I figured out a good route that utilizes almost all of them.  (There is still a good amount of pavement, but about the least possible, for this distance).

This will be a D1 hike, but near much at the top of that scale.  It feels like a light D2 to me, but I suppose the numbers don't lie: 3.9 mi and around 340' of ascent.

The pace will be moderate..about 2.6 mph or so.  It's not a fitness hike, but we will get a nice little workout, even without especially trying.

More info from http://urbanbaboon.blogspot.com/2007/07/mcdan iel-farm-park.html:

"There is a little park tucked right smack dab in the center of the hustle and bustle of Gwinnett Place Mall area Duluth, which has stands in dramatic contrast to its surroundings, which exudes peace among the chaos that we all live. All the while echoing with a rich history of frontier Gwinnett. If you've been there, you know that I am talking about McDaniel Farm Park. If you haven't been there you ought to go.

This Gwinnett County Park is an 134 acre oasis .....The multiuse path crosses a stream in two places, has gently grades, and takes you through some very nice trees, fields, and flowers.

But there is an additional uniqueness to the park: it is built on land granted to the county by Archie McDaniel. Archie McDaniel and his family lived and farmed this land for generations. It has been kept up as a working subsistence farm and you can stroll among the farm houses, blacksmiths, tenent farmers, and several other buildings. It has an awesome collection of farming equipment. If you guide yourself along the way, there is absolutely no cost.

The three things that impress me the most about this park are: (1) The dramatic difference between the park and the world two minutes outside of it, (2) the nature of the typical Gwinnett Farmer being small and subsistent, rather than the stereotypical Georgia Plantation, and (3) the astonishing fact that the McDaniel Family was farming this piece of land as recently as 1999.

This is the perfect getaway for when there really is no time to get away in Gwinnett. Go there once, you'll see what I mean."

NOTE!: There are two different parking areas, so make sure you use the one off of Old Norcross Road.

From Atlanta, take I-85 North to Exit 104, Pleasant Hill Rd. Turn left (NE) off the exit.  Take a right on Satellite Blvd and then a left on Old Norcross Road.  Turn right on McDaniel Farm Road...take this straight into the park.

Parking is free and there are restrooms at the trailhead.