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| Over the edge Fort Mountain |
Driving north west on state road 52 we skirted just north of Gainesville,G.A., heading to Chattahoochee National Forest. Here is where we got our first real elevation change since leaving Miami, 2687ft above sea level. I thought I was going to get a nose bleed! Living at sea level for so long anything over 6.6ft (the surveyed elevation of my front door's threshold in Miami) it seemed I was gasping for air. My rig was taking it all in stride. 2nd gear and climbing, ears popping, we maneuvered around each bend only to find another hairpin turn.
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| Second growth forest Fort Mountain |
The scenery was spectacular. Keeping my eyes on the road I had no time for pics. Trixie always vigilant and a wee bit white knuckled, we made each ascending turn. She made it her job to tell me to turn right or left or just turn. Huffing and puffing, Trixie's nerves on edge we made our way up to
Fort Mountain State Park, a beautiful 3712-acre wooded park perched just shy of the top, next to a picturesque 17-acre spring fed lake. Our campsite was hilly wooded and terraced, convenient electric, water and the comfort station just a short hike away.
Bike trails were mostly mountainous except for the lake trail which was very scenic with minimal elevation change.
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| Goldmind Creek bike trail |
One afternoon I took to the mountain trails on bike, Goldmine Creek Trail. After steep climbs, switchbacks and many small water crossings the trail seemed to vanish. Only hiking boots would take you further! Turning around gravity led me the way down. We then swapped our bikes for our hiking shoes and headed for the trail-head into the Cohutta Wilderness Area, CCC Stone Fire Tower Trail and Mysterious Stone Wall zigzagging 855ft across the southern face of the Cohutta mountain range. Built around 500 C.E., the wall remains a mystery today, 150 years after its discovery. We completed the trek reaching the top of
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| CCC restored Stone Fire Tower |
Fort Mountain at 3100ft. Here we were greeted by a lovely park ranger who answered questions and shared historical photos of the now fully restored stone fire tower lookout. Now only a tourist attraction this stone tower was built in the mid 30's and played a key roll in spotting forest fires across the Cohutta Mountain range.
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| Stone Tower view |
Crossing over to the West Overlook Trail we were impressed by the well engineered steps, trails and platforms not to mention the view. A quick trek over to Cool Springs lookout completed our hike for the day.
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| Mysterious Wall 500 CE |
Fort Mountain State Park is a great facility with amenities for a host of activities including a sandy lakeside beach. Since the sky was clear and the sun hot we stretched our towels out on the sand in between the many beach goers. Bagging some "Zs" was just a few sleepy breaths away, Zzzzz Zzzz.
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| West Overlook |
At night the campground was a clamor of activity from the many campers who filled the park this Mother's Day weekend. We heard a Ukulele strumming, dogs barking and got the low down on Kole-Slaw & Tater-Tots as our bigger than life neighbor schooled his camping companions! Y'all get it right now, ya hear!!
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| Base Camp Fort Mountain |
Enjoying our time here we were excited to move on driving north into Tennessee, Oliver Springs, to do some trail riding with the Southeast Toyota Land Cruiser Association in the Great Smokey Mountains....
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| Cool Springs lookout |
See y'all on the road.
🚙.......
Fort Mountain State Park, a beautiful 3712-acre wooded park perched just shy of the top, next to a picturesque 17-acre spring fed lake. Our campsite was hilly wooded and terraced, convenient electric, water and the comfort station just a short hike away. 
