Helton Creek Falls – North Georgia

I’ve heard so much about Helton Creek Falls that we made a trip of it after hiking at nearby Vogel State Park. The well-marked entrance is located on Hwy 129/19 just one mile south of Vogel.

However, we thought we were in the wrong place driving through a residential neighborhood of houses perched alonside a creek. Soon, the road turned gravel and a hand-painted sign announced the falls were just 2 miles ahead.

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The road seemed to go nowhere.

The most difficult part of the trip was the bumpy, rocky dirt road. In the distance, we saw the falls and came to a parking area. For such an out of the way place, there were 6 or 7 cars. The total loop to the falls is just 1/3 of a mile. We climbed down the path and the temperature was instantly cooler. When we reached to the falls, we took a left to descended down the wooden stairs to the base of the lower falls. (more…)

Morningside Nature Preserve – Atlanta

  • Sandy Beaches
  • A Suspension Bridge
  • Wooded Trails

— All on one hike in the heart of Atlanta.

With its 34 acres of land, Morningside Nature Preserve is a quick getaway from the city, without leaving it. It is perfect for families with children, older adults and dogs. The new wooden, suspension bridge crossing South Fork Peachtree Creek is a favorite for photographers while the sandy beaches of South Fork Peachtree Creek (a tributary of Peachtree Creek) are popular with dogs. (more…)

Arabia Mountain – Lithonia, GA

Springtime has come to Atlanta so hubby and I took the dog to Arabia Mountain for Monadnock Madness Month.

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We parked at the Davidson-Arabia Nature Preserve to use the restrooms, get a map and visit the nature center. The guide on duty suggested we walk the 1-mile path (mostly on a boardwalk along Klondike Road) to reach the mountain since parking at the mountain is usually at capacity on the weekends. (more…)

Sweetwater Creek State Park – Lithia Springs, GA

Located on the west side of Atlanta in Lithia Springs, Sweetwater Creek State Park offers 9 miles of wooded hiking trails. The highlight is walking by the ruins of an old textile mill burned during the Civil War.

Sweetwater Creek State Park
Sweetwater Creek State Park
The trail to the mill ruins is marked in red.
The trail to the mill ruins is marked in red.

We took our dog and hiked along the red, historic trail to see the mill ruins. The 1/2 mile to the mill ruins is relatively easy and follows Sweetwater Creek. (more…)