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March 4, 2025

Unicoi Eagle & Bike Trails

at Unicoi State Park near Helen, GA

Distance
7.8 mi
Climbing
896 ft
Difficulty
Easy
Type
Loop
GPS track availableView on AllTrails →

It was a great day outdoors with an early visit to a Bald Eagle's nest high in a pine tree overlooking the west side of Unicoi Lake guided by Doris Richardson. While the view of the nest was limited, we did see both eagles and some of our hikers saw the eaglets' heads moving in the nest. Our main, 7.0-mile hike on the western section of Unicoi Bike Trails was fairly easy with just a few steep sections like "the Three Sisters" hills and a couple of large blowdowns on the second loop of the hike. Otherwise, the trails were in good condition with not a lot of roots and rocks common to Northeast Georgia mountains. We did enjoy a long stretch of the trail along Smith Creek, but most of the hike is just a walk in the woods. No wildflowers yet, but we saw quite a few buds on Rhododendrons suggesting this may be good year for their blooms.

Today's Hikers: Gregg Nuessly, Doris Richardson, Sue Vaughn, Vilmarie Nixon, Vic Robson, Angela Evans, Mary Lu Norton, Bobbie Broussard, Beth Hawkins, Charles Hawkins, Barbara Laughead & Jake, Jane Eubanks, Gerald Richardson, Don Pratt, Terre Pratt, Dave Norton, Jenny Bell, Edwin Pruitt, Roger Will, Shelia Getman, Heather Wall & Toby, & Mike Bell.

The route

7.8 mi · 896 ft climbing · 4h 51m out, 3h 43m walking · 2.1 mph moving

Elevation

Hover over the profile to see the elevation and steepness. Your position will be shown on the map.

Part 1 of 2 · 0.8 mi

1,644 ft1,616 ft0.0 mi0.2 mi0.4 mi0.6 mi0.8 mi
  • Steepness
  • Gentle under 5%
  • Moderate 5–10%
  • Steep 10–15%
  • Very steep over 15%

Part 2 of 2 · 7.0 mi

1,731 ft1,484 ft0.0 mi1.8 mi3.5 mi5.3 mi7.0 mi
  • Steepness
  • Gentle under 5%
  • Moderate 5–10%
  • Steep 10–15%
  • Very steep over 15%

13 photos are shown on the map where they were taken — click one to see it full size.

Photos (14)

  • It's an early start on Unicoi Lake to see the Bald Eagles' nest.
  • Our eagle watchers: (L-R) Vilmarie (further down the trail), Gregg, Doris, Jenny, Bobbie, Jane, Gerald & Mike
  • Doris Richardson caught the best photo of the day of one of the eagles keeping any eye on us.
  • A different view of the eagle and the nest in the top of a pine.
  • Our Bike Trail Hikers (L-R): Sue, Vilmarie, Vic, Angela, Mary Lu, Bobbie, Beth, Charles, Barbara & Jake, Jane, Gerald, Terre, Don, Dave, Jenny, Edwin, Roger, Shelia, Heather & Toby, & Mike.
  • Heading out.
  • A good trail today.
  • These galls are always a curious sight.
  • Following along Smith Creek on the first loop of the hike is always pleasant.
  • Come on Mom, I'm just trying to have some fun.
  • More of Smith Creek
  • The second loop of the hike is a bit more hilly as what Heather refers to as the "Three Sisters" hills showed us.
  • This section also had a couple of very large blowdowns to get through.
  • Remnants of an old homestead as we finished the hike. Good job everyone!