November 12, 2024
Chicopee Backcountry Loop Trail
at Chicopee Woods Nature Preserve near Gainesville, GA
This hike is actually a combination of the Backcountry, Bridge Loop and Lake Loop trails. We could not beat this location and weather today for a "great hike." With mild, 50 to 65 degree temperatures and a very well maintained and blazed/marked trail system, this was not a difficult hike. Yes, it was 7.3 miles long, but the short ups and downs were not strenuous at all. No, there were not a lot of spectacular views and no wildflowers, but the trail surface is easy on the feet and for the most part without the usual rocks and roots we see on other trails we hike. Today, this trail was dominated by numerous Beech trees still holding on to their green and yellow colors. The continued dry spell in this area allowed for easy crossing of the the several stream we encountered. We hope to come back in the Spring to check out the wildflowers.
Today's Hikers: Ken Pardue, Claudia Pardue, Myra Wise, Jane Harrison, Pam Hembree, Gerald Richardson, Betty Smith, Jenny Bell, Renee Corbett, Sue Vaughn & Mike Bell
The route
7.3 mi · 902 ft climbing · 4h 15m out, 3h 32m walking · 2.1 mph moving
Elevation
Hover over the profile to see the elevation and steepness. Your position will be shown on the map.
- Steepness
- Gentle under 5%
- Moderate 5–10%
- Steep 10–15%
- Very steep over 15%
17 photos are shown on the map where they were taken — click one to see it full size.
Photos (17)
The Backcountry Trail is one of several really nice trails in the Chicopee Woods Nature Preserve. Today's Hikers (L-R): Mike, Ken, Claudia, Myra, Jane, Pam, Ken, Betty, Jenny, Renee & Sue The trailhead is easily accessed. A nice trail map at the start of the hike with color coded blazing as one would expect. An early view of Chicopee Lake at the beginning of the hike confirms how dry it has been. One of the creek crossings Lots of trail feature signs . . nice! A curious fungus growing on this tree. A large triple trunk tree. Perhaps a Pignut Hickory??? Oops, another stream crossing. Not too bad. Lunch time on a convenient log. Headed down the Bridge Loop section of this hike. Hey, look a bridge. This time a nice suspension bridge. . . Renee, go to back of the hike for causing the bridge to sway! A nice boardwalk on the Lake Loop section of the hike. Headed past the north end of Chicopee Lake at the end of the hike. Tree "swallows" large boulder. Another one of those tree adaptation/survival stories.