Saturday Morning Jones Bridge Hike + Float

We'll meet at 9:15 am at the Jones Bridge parking lot at the end of the park road and start our hike promptly at 9:30 am. We'll hike along the river and up the hill into the woods. We'll go by the pond and the field behind the Education Center. We'll hike at a BRISK PACE and cover at least 4 miles in 90 minutes. We plan to be back at the Jones Bridge parking lot about 11 am. We'll hike in drizzle/light rain but NOT in heavy rain or thunderstorms.

Note: This event is a hike AND float. Please do NOT sign up if you do not want to participate in BOTH activities. It is much easier for us to coordinate everyone when we all are going to do the same thing. We'll lead just hikes and just floats in the future, so be on the lookout for those if that's your preference.

After the hike we will float the Hooch (weather permitting - no heavy rain or thunderstorms). Bring an inflatable boat or tube, a canoe or kayak, a PFD (life jackets are mandatory), a swimsuit, lunch, beverages (no glass is allowed on the river), etc. We will arrange a caravan shuttle upriver to the Medlock Bridge parking lot (leaving a few vehicles in the Jones Bridge parking lot). We will need to use a few vehicles to transport the group and gear the short trip (less than 5 miles) to Medlock Bridge. Both lots require a parking pass, but your annual pass or your $3.00 fee from Jones Bridge will cover the other location.

When we arrive in the Medlock Bridge parking lot (no bathrooms), we will blow up our boats, load them up with all our stuff, and get on the river. This could be around noon. We'll float/swim/eat/drink/have fun on the river for about 4 hours. There will be large rocks where we can stop to eat. There are no bathrooms available until we get back to the Jones Bridge parking lot. It is unlawful to climb the banks of the Chattahoochee River where it is private property, so be prepared to get creative with your potty breaks along the way.

We'll get out at the Jones Bridge parking lot. Some people will get in the cars that were left there and drive the other people to their cars at Medlock Bridge. It may be after 4 pm at this point. Our time depends on how things go on the river (for example the speed of the current - if there is any) and how coordinated we are in the parking lots.

We'll need some vehicles to shuttle people and boats between the 2 parks. When you sign up, please use the "Notes:" box to let us know if you have a vehicle you're willing to use. We MUST have SEVERAL vehicles to make this work.

Chattahoochee River National Receration Area - Jones Bridge Park - 9101 Barnwell Road, Johns Creek, GA, 30022

From GA 400, take exit 7a, and head East 4.1 miles through the intersection of Holcomb Bridge and Nesbitt Ferry Road to the junction of Barnwell Road. Turn left on Barnwell Rd, and travel approx 2 miles to Jones Bridge Branch which will be on the right. Turn in and go a little over 1/2 mile to large parking lot at end of road.

Directions: http://www.nps.gov/chat/planyourvisit/jonesbridge.htm

Coleman Sevylor inflatable 6’ boats from Wal-mart are a great deal at only $25, and there’s room for a small cooler, PFD, towel, etc. These boats can be hard to find in stores but can be ordered online and shipped for free to your nearest store. http://www.walmart.com/ip/Coleman-Sevylor-Specialists-Two-Person-Inflatable-Boat/10928134