Beyond Our Backyard - Sweetwater Creek State Park

Beyond Our Backyard at Sweetwater Creek State Park

Beyond Our Backyard is a chance for people to get out of their typical hiking area, Georgia State Parks will feature prominently. All ability levels are welcome. Carpooling is available.

We will be hiking the White Trail at Sweetwater Creek State Park. The parking fee is $10. You can get this through the Georgia State Parks website, at the kiosk in the parking area, or at the visitor center inside the park. A Georgia State Park parking pass is also valid. We will meet at the visitor center.

The loop we are doing is 5.2 miles. The trail is moderate to difficult due to some steep hills and the trail has rocks and tree roots. If needed, this trail can be done with a cane or trekking poles. The pace is always determined by the slowest person, this is why I will always show extended timeframes for hikes. They may not last as long as posted. The idea is to enjoy and be mindful rather than racing to the end. No one is left behind.

What to bring:

Water - always bring more than you think you'll need

Closed-toe shoes - tennis shoes work just fine

Moisture wicking clothing, layers if it is cooler - workout clothing works well

Tick preventative - I always have spray to share

Sunscreen if needed

Pack to carry it all - this doesn't have to be anything fancy, it just gets annoying to carry a water bottle through the whole hike. Plus, how else will you carry your snacks?

There are restrooms located inside the park in the parking area. If you have the need of one while hiking, you'll have to find a tree. We practice Leave No Trace, which means we pack out anything we pack in, including toilet paper. I always have wipes, dog poop bags, and hand sanitizer for these moments. Another good reason to bring a pack.

My hikes are meant to get people outside and experience the healing power of nature. To curate this, I ask that all speakers be left at home. There is no diet talk or any other topics that assign a morality to our bodies or movement. This group is inclusive and meant to be a safe space so please understand that there will be people from every way of life. Hatred, bigotry, or any other discriminatory behavior will not be tolerated. If you think this applies to you, I can point you to some other hiking groups.

Afterwards, I typically like to find a local place to grab some lunch or a coffee before heading home.