Come join me for a 9 mile hike on trails (mostly) in Mason Mill Park, Lullwater Preserve, Hahn Wood, and Ira Melton Park. It has about 600 feet of climbing. We will meet in the parking lot at the back of the Mason Mill Senior Center by the rest rooms and children's playground. Please arrive 10 minutes early for introductions so we can start on time. Allow extra time if you need to use the restrooms. We will start on time. This hike has some short but steep climbs and descents, including some that are rocky, and narrow sections of trail with steep drop-offs. You should be confident of your ability to handle somewhat difficult terrain. I will aim for about a 2.5 to 2.8 mile per hour pace. We will enjoy surprisingly peaceful and picturesque trails that feel isolated despite being in the heart of Decatur. There will be some sections of boardwalk and/or concrete paths, but we will mostly travel on dirt paths. We will pass by beautiful streams, the ruins of the former City of Decatur Water Works and park, a stepping-stone stream crossing (no wet feet required), three City Champion trees, ruins of several old mills and hydroelectric generators, a suspension bridge (twice!), and the old Candler mansion that serves as the Emory University president’s home. Along the way you may see wildlife unexpected in the city. There may be deer, geese, ducks, heron, hawks, owls, Pileated Woodpeckers, turtles, and possibly even foxes, river otters, and beaver. I have seen all of these at one time or another on these trails. The park ranger has even seen a bobcat here!
