Wooded paths beckon hikers

Saturday is National Trails Day, and millions of outdoor lovers will take to the hills, valleys and meadows throughout the country in honor of the day. But you don't need some highfalutin national day to get out on the trails. Even on the traffic-clogged, hyper-developed Northside, there are many miles of pristine terra firma. So lace up your boots, and get ready to take a hike.

Jones Bridge workday

In honor of the American Hiking Society's National Trails Day, held the first Saturday in June, the National Parks Service is sponsoring a workday in the Jones Bridge unit of the Chattahoochee National Recreation Area. Volunteers are invited to help clear trash, vegetation, low-hanging tree limbs and vines from the trails and to repair the trail tread at Jones Bridge. Volunteers can park for free. Dress for a cool morning and warm afternoon, and bring snacks and plenty of water.

If you go

When: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday

Where: 9101 Barnwell Road, Johns Creek

Contact: Susan Duke, 678-538-1244

Web site: www.nps.gov/chat/planyourvisit/jonesbridge.htm

Trek connect: Single hikers meet up for casual group outings

The singles scene meets the outdoorsy set in Atlanta Single Hikers. With no membership fee and a bit of effort, relationships may be forged over rugged terrain.

"Our founder met and married his wife through ASH," group president Charles Dean said. "We try to keep it really laid-back and relaxed. That way it's not a meat market, and it's easy to make friends."

Every Wednesday, Dean sends out a newsletter to the nearly 1,200 ASH members, giving them information about upcoming events and activities, which can range from an afternoon hike in the metro area to an overnight backpacking trek on the Appalachian Trail in North Carolina.

"ASH is really just one big e-mail list," said Clement Desaulniers, a longtime member and retiree from Duluth, who organized a recent weekday afternoon foray into the Jones Bridge unit of the Chattahoochee National Recreation Area.

"We don't try to guarantee that people will meet a date, but we make sure everyone has a good time," she said.

That formula worked well for Sharon Tepper of east Cobb County, who joined Desaulniers on a recent hike and brought a friend.

"This is so much more fun than sitting on the Internet trying to meet people," Tepper said. "Here, you're able to make friends as well as meet men."

Upcoming events include an overnight backpacking trip to Cohutta Wilderness in Tennessee on Saturday, an after-work hike at the Medlock Bridge unit of the Chattahoochee National Recreation Area at 6 p.m. Wednesday and a "Single Mingle" at the Northern Star Coffeehouse in Norcross at 7 p.m. June 14.

To get on the ASH e-mail distribution list, call 678-728-9377 or visit www.atlantasinglehikers.com.

For other outdoorsy singles groups, check out Singles Outdoor Adventures at www.singlesoutdooradventures.org and Hotlanta Adventures at www.hotlantaadventures.org.

Northside hiking trails

John Ripley Forbes Big Trees Forest Preserve

Location: 7645 Roswell Road, Sandy Springs

Info: 770-673-0111, www.bigtreesforest.com

Length: 1.5 miles

Trailhead and parking: The trailhead is located at the south parking lot of the Fulton County Government Service Center, adjacent to the preserve. Parking is free.

What to expect: For walkers only. Look for the 100-year-old white oak trees along the circular trail nestled on the 30 wooded acres. Part of the Upper Chattahoochee River Watershed, the preserve features a self-guided tour marked by informational posts that explain how the area affects the quality of water for people living nearby.

Level of difficulty: Easy to moderate

History: The wooded land was slated for development as a car dealership in 1989, but it was saved by the efforts of environmentalist and philanthropist John Ripley Forbes, for whom the preserve is named.

Kennesaw Mountain

Location: 900 Kennesaw Mountain Drive, Kennesaw

Info: 770-427-4686, www.nps.gov/kemo/

Length: 7.5 miles

Trailheads and parking: Multiple parking lots and trailheads throughout the preserve

What to expect: Revered for its role in the Battle of Kennesaw Mountain, the national park features battlefields, infantry trenches, artillery emplacements, historical markers and Civil War-era cannons —- both originals and reproductions. The 2,888 acres feature a mixture of field and forest with maple, oak and hickory trees. Wildlife observers can spot white-tailed deer, red-tailed foxes, and a variety of snakes and lizards.

Level of difficulty: Trails range from easy to strenuous.

History: More than 4,000 Confederate and Union soldiers died on June 27, 1864, at the Battle of Kennesaw Mountain, and the site has become part of the National Parks System. Park superintendent Dan Brown said the historical significance of the park trumps its modern-day recreational value. "If there was no Battle of Kennesaw Mountain, there would be no park," Brown said.

Big Creek Greenway

Location: Alpharetta

Info: 678-297-6100, www.alpharetta.ga.us/index.php?p=136

Length: 6.1 miles

Entry points and parking: Free parking is available at the trail's four entry points: Ed Isakson/Alpharetta YMCA, 3655 Preston Ridge Road; Haynes Bridge Road, across from the Arch Stone Apartments at 900 James Pass; across from Haverty's Furniture at 6731 North Point Parkway; and across from New Prospect Elementary School at 3055 Kimball Bridge Road (parking under construction).

What to expect: Most of the 12-foot-wide trailway is paved, allowing plenty of space for walking, biking, jogging or in-line skating. The linear greenway stretches from Mansell Road to Webb Bridge Road and winds through wooded land parallel to Big Creek. Wildlife watchers should look for animals such as blue heron, deer, Canada geese and ducks. Mountain bike trails located near the north end of the greenway just south of Webb Bridge Road provide "off-road" riding for bikers looking for a bit more rough-and-tumble action.

Level of difficulty: Easy

History: Alpharetta opened the greenway in 2000, and there's more to come. There are plans to extend the linear park north to Windward Parkway and south into Roswell.

Jones Bridge

Location: 9101 Barnwell Road, Johns Creek

Info: 678-538-1200, www.nps.gov/chat/planyourvisit/jonesbridge.htm

Length: 5.2 miles

Trailhead and parking: In the second parking lot past the boat launch area. Parking costs $3.

What to expect: Less than a mile north of the trailhead, hikers will find the remains of the original red-metal Jones Bridge, spanning halfway across the Chattahoochee River. The majority of the dirt trail proceeds south of the parking lot, following the river past the boat launches until it branches off into myriad directions that allow hikers to blissfully lose themselves in forestry. Hiking and jogging only are permitted. Deer, wild Canada geese, snakes and other wildlife can be spotted along this trail.

Level of difficulty: Moderate to strenuous

History: Part of the 50-plus miles of hiking trails in the Chattahoochee National Recreational Area, Jones Creek is managed by National Park Services. The Chattahoochee National Recreational Area was established in 1978.

Vickery Creek Trail Complex

Location: Roswell

Info: 678-538-1200, www.nps.gov/chat/planyourvisit/vickerycreek.htm

Length: 6.3 miles

Trailheads and parking: There are five trailheads and multiple parking lots. Parking is $3.

What to expect: The dirt trail circles a knoll of the Chattahoochee River and follows a tributary, Vickery Creek, passing the landmark Roswell Mill in Historic Roswell. Hiking and jogging only are permitted. Deer, wild Canada geese, snakes and other wildlife can be spotted along this trail.

Level of difficulty: Moderate to strenuous

History: Part of the 50-plus miles of hiking trails in the Chattahoochee National Recreational Area.

Sawnee Mountain Preserve

Location: 2500 Bettis-Tribble Gap Road, Cumming

Info: 770-781-2215, www.sawneemountain.org

Length: 3 miles

Trailheads and parking: Free parking and multiple trailheads are scattered throughout Sawnee Mountain Preserve; parking also is available at some roadsides in the park's loop system.

What to expect: Three trails with varying degrees of difficulty connect through the preserve, ranging from gentle terrain to strenuous climbs. Indian Seats Trail features a natural rock formation known as Indian Seats, offering excellent views of the North Georgia mountains. Nearby is a climbing area for the adventurous.

Level of difficulty: Yucca Trail: Easy. Indian Seats Trail: Easy to moderate. Laurel Trail: Moderate to strenuous.

History: The first phase of the preserve was opened in 2005. County officials recently broke ground on phase two, which will include an environmental learning center.

What's new

Check out the new Rogers Bridge Road Multi-Use Trail, recently opened in Johns Creek. The trailhead is at McGinnis Ferry Road and Bell Road. Two miles long and 12 feet wide, the asphalt trail is designed for pedestrians and bicyclists. It extends from the Chattahoochee River on Rogers Bridge Road along Bell Road to McGinnis Ferry Road. Along the way it crosses Bellacree Creek and stretches to historic Rogers Bridge, which spans the Chattahoochee River. Parking also is available along Rogers Bridge Road.

Hiking tips

Do not overextend your abilities.

Stay on the trail.

Don't take shortcuts through switchbacks. This causes erosion and damages the environment.

Tell someone your hiking plans.

Dress appropriately.

Be prepared for sudden and extreme weather changes.

Carry sufficient water and food and first-aid supplies.

Hike with a companion.

Source: www.n-georgia.com

What to bring

Backpack or hip pack

Hiking boots or sturdy, comfortable walking shoes

Water

Lightweight rain gear

First-aid kit

Cellphone

Snacks

Binoculars

Layered clothing

A friend