On Nov. 13, the Big Canoe Hiking Club returned to Preacher’s Rock near Suches, Georgia. This is a moderate climb to a very scenic, long-range view of the Appalachian Mountains.
Approximately 25 hikers joined us on this 3-mile hike, which starts from the Woody Gap Trailhead off Highway 60. This trail is extremely popular, and the club always enjoys this hike. Preacher’s Rock provides a lovely spot for photos and enjoying the beauty of our Blue Ridge Mountains.
After the hike, most members stopped off in Dahlonega for a bit of lunch and a stroll around the historic town square. Dahlonega has a rich history of gold mining and once served as a mint for gold coins. The museum in the old courthouse is worth a visit and provides a great history lesson on the importance of this area up to the Civil War.
On Oct. 23, our members journeyed to Don Carter State Park for a 5-mile hike followed by a delicious barbecue meal provided by our hike leaders. The Don Carter Loop Trail is a fairly flat trail with occasional glimpses of Lake Lanier. It is located near Lula, Georgia and provides trails for hikers, horseback riders and kayakers. It is not as scenic as nearby mountain parks but does provide nice facilities for a cookout, and the drive is reasonable from Big Canoe.
We had a great turnout for this event with 42 attendees. The weather was excellent, and the food was perfect for a fall day. Many thanks to our hike leaders/cooks: Mike Trimble, Steve Duesler, Steve Papke, Joe Morris, Ken Becheley and Gary Romeo…