Georgia Wilderness Society
Adventures in the Georgia Mountains
September 13 - 16, 2022
On Sept 14th Dave, Terry, Tony, and Jane drove the 7 miles up the winding road on Chilhowee Mountain for a 3.5 mile in and out hike to Benton Falls. The water was down a little, but the falls were still spectacular, tumbling over the rocks on this TN mountain. In the afternoon Debi, Terry, and Jane kayaked on Lake Blue Ridge with the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains framing the background. That evening we all enjoyed burgers and brats cooked over the campfire.
Our destination Thursday morning was Toccoa River Swinging Bridge. Some of us drove up the forest service road to the parking area and hiked to the bridge. A group of us hiked 4+ miles up the Benton MacKaye Trail to the bridge. That afternoon Jane and Vicky kayaked on Lake Blue Ridge.
The Toccoa River Swinging Bridge is the longest swinging bridge east of the Mississippi River. It was constructed in 1977 by the U.S.D.A. Forest Service in partnership with the Georgia Appalachian Trail Club.
Jane (trip leader) & Tony Giddens; Debi & Jerry Fordham; Dave Gardner; Terry Ross; Margaret Clay; Shirley Williams; and Vicki Gilly
Others headed home or went shopping in the unique stores in Blue Ridge, and the Mercier apple farm.
After we all left Jane and Tony's on the 16th, Margaret, Shirley, and Vickie hiked 1 mile on the Appalachian Trail, starting at Neels Gap, then another mile on the Reese side trail to the Reese parking lot. Shirley and Margaret have now hiked ALL of the AT in Georgia. This was Vickie's maiden voyage on the AT. Maybe she now has the AT fever. Thanks to Debbie and Jerry for shuttling us to our starting point.
And Then . . .
