hiking

Located in the middle of our state, Pine Mountain is one of Georgia’s best kept secrets, and there are plenty of reasons to visit:

The breathtaking views of Pine Mountain’s highest point and President Franklin Delano Roosevelt’s favorite picnicking spot: Dowdell’s Knob; The majestic walls of Sprewell Bluff State Park, where the Flint river cuts through the pine mountain belt; The fantastic azalea blooms and other attractions at Callaway Gardens; The miles of lush vegetation and abundant wildlife along the Pine Mountain Trail; And the fascinating history at Warm Springs, home of FDR’s Little White House.

We'll explore all this and more on Georgia Outdoors: Pine Mountain.

Web Resources

Callaway Gardens
Callaway Gardens is a Pine Mountain, Georgia, resort that blends the tradition of nature-inspired luxury and superior service with a new era of indulgence and dramatic rejuvenation. The comfort and elegance of this magical Georgia retreat is surpassed only by the mesmerizing beauty of its expansive natural surroundings.

Roosevelt State Park
The Located near the town of Warm Springs, this park is deeply rooted in the historical era of four-time President Franklin D. Roosevelt. Several structures within the park, including the stone swimming pool and some cottages, were built by Roosevelt’s Civilian Conservation Corps during the Great Depression.

Roosevelt Stables
Home to over 28 miles of marked horse trails. Offering guided tours on the Stables' horses and trail maps for those who bring their own mounts. We offer one hour rides to overnight horse trails for the adventurous and the interested riders.

Roosevelt Warm Springs
Founded by Franklin Delano Roosevelt in 1927, Roosevelt Warm Springs continues a tradition of compassion and quality care that spans 80 years. Entering its ninth decade as a comprehensive rehabilitation center dedicated to service, technological advancement, program diversity, research opportunities, continuing education and future development on behalf of persons with disabilities.

Rooselvelt's Little White House
Franklin Delano Roosevelt built the Little White House in 1932 while governor of New York, prior to being inaugurated as president in 1933. He first came to Warm Springs in 1924 hoping to find a cure for the infantile paralysis (polio) that had struck him in 1921. Swimming in the warm, buoyant spring waters brought him no miracle cure, but it did bring improvement. During FDR’s presidency and the Great Depression, he developed many New Deal Programs (such as the Rural Electrification Administration) based upon his experiences in this small town.

American Chestnut Foundation
This chapter of the American Chestnut Foundation has been founded to bring about the restoration of the American Chestnut tree as a prominent part of Georgia forests by assisting the national foundation in its propagation efforts; by promoting public awareness through education and by supporting the scientific research efforts directed at restoring American Chestnuts.

Sprewell Bluff State Park
This little-known gem on the Flint River is the perfect location for a daytime getaway. Visitors can cool off in the gently flowing river, skip rocks across the water, picnic on the river’s edge or toss horseshoes in a grassy field. A three-mile trail winds along the bank and up rocky bluffs, offering excellent views from high above the river.

Pine Mountain Trail
The Pine Mountain Trail, a 23 mile footpath that crosses and follows the beautiful Pine Mountain ridge, offers clear crisp views of distant ridges in winter, with occasional snowfall, to the lush greens of summer ferns and foliage of lowland flora. Wildflowers are abundant and spring brings flowering dogwood, native azalea, mountain laurel and rhododendron. Fall brings bright and beautiful colors, changing from day to day. With the connector trails that form seven loops there are over 40 miles of hiking trails for your enjoyment.

From hiking and biking to canoeing and swimming, there are many ways to get your exercise outside. Research suggests that even low impact activity in the outdoors stimulates endorphins and contributes to both mental and physical health.

Across Georgia, there are thousands of acres of land open for you to explore. Georgia’s state parks, national forests, wildlife refuges, lakes, and other public lands are great places for wildife viewing, hiking, hunting, fishing, and general outdoor enjoyment.

In this episode we'll experience The Tri-the-Parks Triathalon Series, the Georgia State Parks' Canyon Climbers Challenge and attend Unicoi's State Park's annual Outdoor Activity Day looking for other unique outdoors adventures.

Web Resources

Georgia State Parks
With 63 State Parks & Historic Sites, Georgia gives you plenty of options for outdoors adventure. And you won't have to travel far. Your biggest challenge - deciding what to.

The National Forests of Georgia
As part of America's national forest system, the Chattahoochee and Oconee National Forests represent the finest outdoor recreation opporutnities and natural resources Georgia has to offer. These lands are rich in history and culture you'll find fascinating to explore.

Georgia’s Great Lakes
From camping to boating, fishing to resorts, the nine Great Lakes of Georgia beckon visitors from around the world to enjoy these water wonders.

Tri the Parks
The Tri the Parks Triathlon and Duathlon Race Series is the only multi-sport event series in Georgia. Five triathlons, four duathlons, and one aquathlon comprise the series for 2008. One of the events is an all female event. We’ll see you at the start line!

Canyon Climbers Club
For years, marathon runners have endured long distances in their quest for bragging rights and prestigious t-shirts. Now, state park hikers have their own conquest that ends with an exclusive “I did it!” t-shirt. Georgia’s new Canyon Climbers Club is reserved for those few who have scaled to the top of Amicalola Falls, explored the depths of Providence Canyon, braved the swinging bridge in Tallulah Gorge and faced the daunting staircase in Cloudland Canyon.

Muddy Spokes Club
Visit the 11 state parks in the Muddy Spokes Club and ride the designated bicycle trail at each one for a total of 68 miles. Some of the trails are fairly easy, some are moderate and some are strenuous and will give you a challenge. Be sure you are in good health, wear safety gear and take plenty of water along.

Annual Georgia Geocachers Association Challenge
Geocaching (pronounced geo-cashing) is a worldwide game of hiding and seeking treasure. A geocacher can place a geocache in the world, pinpoint its location using GPS technology and then share the geocache's existence and location online. Anyone with a GPS unit can then try to locate the geocache.

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Dove season signals the start of a new hunting season and an opportunity for friends and family to get together. Join Michael Skinner for the Second Annual 410 Benefit Dove Hunt at Henderson Village Plantation near Perry, Georgia. Michael takes on last year's champion for the prize and a friendly round of competition skeet shooting.

After the hunt is over and the trophy is delivered you'll meet the chef who's put together a special dish just for the occasion.

Few things in nature are as popular or as refreshing as a beautiful waterfall and Georgia is home to some of the most breathtaking and pristine waterfalls in the country.

Join Host Michael Skinner as he hikes the Southern Appalachians in search of a few of Georgia's most spectacular and lesser-known waterfalls. Just admiring a cascading waterfall can be exciting enough for some, but if you're looking for more, put on those waders, these waterfalls are also great habitat for trout. Hoping to reel in a rainbow or two, Michael Skinner joins Kyle Burrell to fly-fish the upper reaches of the Chattahoochee, near spectacular Horse Trough Falls.

And finally, North Georgia is not the only place waterfalls can be found, check out High Falls State Park located in the piedmont region of middle Georgia. Park Ranger George Smith is happy to host a tour.

Related Links

www.ganet.org
You can buy your Georgia hunting or fishing license by phone, by mail or online.

PDF Transcript

Join the Georgia Outdoors crew and learn about Georgia's magnificent landscapes. We'll visit Providence Canyon State Park, A.K.A. Georgia's Little Grand Canyon, and learn about the forces that created this interesting phenomenon.

We'll also visit north Georgia's Cloudland Canyon State Park with its 100 foot waterfall. Afterward, we'll stop by near-by Shirley Miller Wildflower Trail in the "pocket" area of Crockford-Pigeon Mountain Wildlife Management Area, this area is famous for its wildflowers and rocky falls.

And finally we'll visit Broxton Rocks, a little-known Nature Conservancy preserve hidden away in South Georgia.

Related Links

www.henry.k12.ga.us
Learn more about the seven wonders of Georgia by visiting this website created by students of Pleasant Grove Elementary School in Stockbridge, Georgia.

www.cviog.uga.edu
The University of Georgia also maintains a webpage about Georgia's Natural Wonders, though they suggest that there are more than seven.

Nature Conservancy
Learn more about Broxton Rocks.

Georgia's State Parks
Here you can learn about all 63 State Parks and Historic Sites including two parks we visited in our program: Providence Canyon and Cloudland Canyon.

www.gofishgeorgia.com
You can buy your Georgia hunting or fishing license by phone, by mail or online.

Pigeon Mountain
Learn more about wildflowers

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In this episode the Georgia Outdoors crew will explore some of Georgia's beautiful streams and waterfalls.

First, we'll join the Department of Natural Resources "Stream Team" to conduct a stream sample survey of Longbranch and Britain's Creeks to determine if these Georgia waters are imperiled. We'll also join area biologists, riverkeepers and high school students in a river clean-up – who knows what we'll find clogging our inner-city waterways. The Georgia Outdoors crew will also meet the folks who run the state's Adopt-a-Stream program – we may even adopt our very own stream in the Decatur area!

Finally, we'll take a day to explore five of North Georgia's most beautiful waterfalls.

Related Links

Rivers Alive
What can you do to help clean up Georgia's streams? Visit the Rivers Alive website to find out.

Georgia Adopt-a-Stream Program
Become a foster parent to a stream near you.

Waterfalls Walks and Drives
Interested in taking the waterfall daytrip that we took? Visit the website for Mark Morrison's book, "Waterfalls Walks and Drives".

www.ganet.org
You can buy your Georgia hunting or fishing license by phone, by mail or online.

A disability doesn't have to prevent the enjoyment of the great outdoors. We'll meet a handful of outdoors enthusiasts who won't let a disability get in their way.

Meet Geoff Hopkins, the Associate Director of Sports Recreation for the Paralyzed Veterans of America. He travels the country organizing bass tournaments that pair disabled anglers with able-bodied anglers.

Meet Ronnie Howell, a board member of Southern Disabled Outdoors a group that supports disabled outdoor activities but also supports in day-to-day living. We'll join Ronnie on a disabled turkey hunt at the Albany Nursery Wildlife Management Area.

And finally, we'll join a group of enthusiastic hikers from the Center for the Visually Impaired; nothing can stop these hikers, not even a down pouring of rain! Lead by Malcolm Hodges, an ecologist from the Nature Conservancy, we'll hike through the Marshall Forest Preserve using the Big Pine Braille Trail. We'll even blindfold host Michael Skinner!

Related Links

Paralyzed Veterans of America
The Sports and Recreation division of Paralyzed Veterans of America is proud to promote a range of activities for PVA members and other people with disabilities.

Center for the Visually Impaired
The mission is to offer comprehensive services to promote independence with dignity and the preservation of self worth for individuals of any age who are blind or visually impaired.

nature.org
The Big Pine Braille Trail is located on in the Nature Conservancy's Marshall Forest.

Department of Natural Resources
Learn more about disabled hunts on your nearby Wildlife Management Area.

www.ganet.org
Before you go fishing or hunting be sure to purchase a valid license and read the Georgia fishing and hunting regulations.

Adventure racing combines physical fitness, skill, mental sharpness, and teamwork to create a thrilling, dynamic sport. Join us as we race with Georgia's own Eco-Challenge team, Team Explorer/Camp Sunshine and newly formed Team DNR.

What does adventure racing have in common with being a Conservation Ranger? We'll find out.

And while we're in the North Georgia mountains we?ll explore the eastern United States? longest foot trail, the Appalachian National Scenic Trail. One of the longest maintained foot trails in the world; the Appalachian Trail has its southern terminus in Georgia at Springer Mountain. We'll learn how to be responsible hikers and we'll learn about hiking with kids and hiking with dogs! We'll also meet the Georgia Appalachian Trail Club Ridge runner to find out how he spends his days on the trail.

Related Links

Georgia’s Department of Natural Resources
Learn about a career as a Conservation Ranger. Click through to General Info, then Law Enforcement.

Atlanta TrailBlazers
If you want to meet others interested in adventure racing and learn from experienced racers about training, gear, and race strategies, visit the Atlanta TrailBlazers.

Camp Sunshine
Was founded in 1983 as a summer camp for children with cancer. Today, Camp Sunshine is far more than a summer camp. The year round programs have brought gifts of hope, support, and love to children with cancer and their families.

Georgia Appalachian Trail Club
A voluntary association of individuals who, because of their love of our wilderness areas, have assumed responsibility for maintenance of the Appalachian Trail in Georgia.

Appalachian Trail Conference and National Park Service
Learn more about the Appalachian Trail

Explore the natural history of Georgia through the eyes of William Bartram. Considered by many to be America's first native-born naturalist, William Bartram traveled extensively in Georgia from 1773-1777 cataloging the diverse flora and fauna of the region. Bartram was also an artist and storyteller and one of the first writers to portray personal as well as scientific experience.

There are two trails named for William Bartram in Georgia. First we'll visit a 14-mile multi-use trail that tracks along the southern perimeter of Clarks Hill Lake near Augusta. Later, we'll visit the Georgia Bartram Trail in the Chattahoochee National Forest in Rabun County. This is 37 mile hiking trail and provides a great 4-5 day through-hike or a number of picturesque day-hikes. This trail meets up with the North Carolina Bartram Trail at the state line and continues another sixty miles through the Natahala National Forest.

And lastly we'll embark on a pioneer-style hunting trip using a weapon common in the 1770s the flintlock rifle. Not that our hunter, Dr. Al Freeland, minds. Dr. Freeland is a former history teacher and the Principal of Screven County Middle School where the students have created a living museum called A Walk Through Time. All this and more on Georgia Outdoors!

Related Links

A Guide to William Bartram's Travels
Read Brand Sanders book A Guide to William Bartram's Travels. You can purchase a copy of this book from Amazon Books and help GPB at the same time through Amazon.

An Outdoor Guide to Bartram's Travels
An Outdoor Guide to Bartram's Travels by Charles Spornick, Alan Cattier and Robert J. Green is also available at Amazon Books.

Georgiatrails.com
You can order a copy of one or all of the Bartram Trail Guides by John Ray and Malcolm Scove just write to John at jray@gtemail.net. To read more about the guides visit the website.

Chattahoochee National Forest and The Bartram Trail
Here you can learn more about all the recreational opportunities available including The Bartram Trail

The Bartram Trail Conference
Visit the official site of The Bartram Trail Conference.

Georgia Department of Natural Resources
Infomation about visiting a Wildlife Management Area, including Tuckahoe WMA on the Savannah River.

www.gofishgeorgia.com
You can buy your Georgia hunting or fishing license by phone, by mail or online.

PDF Transcript

100 miles long and 25 hundred feet high, Lookout Mountain spans three states as it stretches from Gadsden, Alabama to Chattanooga, Tennessee. Upon it's length one will find waterfalls, canyons, scenic vistas, unique towns, state and national parks and preserves and many more natural wonders.

We'll start in Chattanooga at the northern tip of Lookout Mountain. Underground, Ruby Falls plummets into a crystal clear pool. Above Ruby Falls lies Point Park and the Lookout Mountain Battlefield, part of the Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park. Just south from Point Park, and just inside the Georgia state line, is Rock City Gardens famous for its barn-top signs declaring, "See Rock City".

South of the Chattanooga area is Cloudland Canyon State Park, one of Georgia's most scenic parks, offering rugged geology and beautiful vistas. Nearby is the Lookout Mountain Flight Park offering hang-gliding lessons and flights. And just south of there is the Crockford-Pigeon Mountain Wildlife Management Area, one of the most diversely utilized WMA in Georgia offering caving, rock-climbing, horseback-riding, camping, hiking, biking, wildlife viewing, not to mention hunting and fishing. Also, within its boundaries is the Shirley Miller Wildflower Trail, an 800-foot boardwalk meandering through a patch of uncommon wildflowers.

Lookout Mountain continues another 60 miles into Alabama. Here lies Little River Canyon National Preserve and the Desoto State Park. Lookout Mountain finally comes to an end at the Noccalula Falls in Gadsden, Alabama.

PDF Transcript