into the woods atlanta: noses creek loop @ kennesaw mountain

Photos from our Spring Break week kid-friendly hike at Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park. We did the Noses Creek Loop trail off Burnt Hickory Road. It was between 1.5 and 2 miles with a lovely pit stop for wading and playing the creek about halfway through. Noah took a little "swim" again and ended up naked in the woods again (with a rubber snake around his neck no less). I am beginning to think he just likes it like this. :) I don't have any problem with that. We had a picnic at the end and the kids ran around in the meadow. It was a beautiful day. Enjoy the photos.

PS I don't have time to edit these pics, so I just throw them up here on the blog. Maybe I'll get around to it a few at a time and repost so they look prettier. :)

 

into the woods atlanta: land of 1000 hills coffee + vickery creek trail

Last Wednesday, me and three other ladies (plus Noah Bear) met at Land of a Thousand Hills coffee house for coffee prior to a 4 mile hike in the Vickery Creek Trail complex in Roswell, Georgia. 

A link to the map of the area can be found HERE.

It was a beautiful day... sunny and warmer than it had been in previous days. We enjoyed perfect hiking temps (in the 50s), sunny, blue skies, lots of picturesque spots along the trail and wonderful fellowship. 

This group is turning out to be one of the things I really look forward to ... what could be better than getting together with other women, enjoying nature and good conversation? There isn't much in my book. 

Enjoy these photos. And join us sometime, if you're interested, ladies. Join the "into the woods atlanta" Facebook page for details. 

into the woods atlanta: 3.13.13 burnt hickory loop trail hike

I was inspired by Ann Whitaker of Age Old Tree to start my own "Into the Woods" outdoors group for women. So far we've had two events. This is the second one. The goal of this chapter of Into the Woods is to explore the vast complex of trails in the Atlanta area. This second hike was at Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park (a National Park - yes). There are many miles of trails here but the hike we did is one of my favorites. It starts at the base of Little Kennesaw Mountain (also known as Pigeon Hill), summits both Little and Big Kennesaw mountains and descends and loops around the base of both. Its a 6.25 mile trek with lots of uphill and long downhills (my knees were feeling it on the last stretch with Noah on my back). It is a gorgeous and rugged hike up both mountains with beautiful rocky terrain, long views and mossy hillsides. I love it. I was so pleased to have five other women along for the journey. It's safe to say we had a blast and can't wait for our next event in a couple of weeks. 

Join my Into the Woods Facebook page here for updates on future events!

 

beautiful clear view of Atlanta

Fort McBride - also the summit of Little Kennesaw Mountain

Almost to the top of big Kennesaw - that's little Kennesaw back there

my hiking buddy aka 30 lb pack

we made it to the top! It's all downhill from here...

from the top of Kennesaw Mountain - view to the North

Kind homeowner whose property borders the trail leaves a bowl of water by a spigot for pups and humans alike

Lots of deer on the last stretch of trail :)