CAMPNPOST

Amicalola Tract- Dawson Forest

This trail could be a really nice little hike. The location is great for those who want a little fresh air and exercise but don’t want to spend the day in the car chasing it. The trailhead is located on Hwy 53 just over the Dawson/Pickens County line. It is also the canoe/kayak launch for the Edge of the World Rapids. The parking lot may be full when you arrive, but you may never see anyone on the trail as most people are there for the river.

It is a pretty easy 2.25 mi loop that begins down by the Amicalola River, forks off into the forest and winds around to end on the other side of the highway from the trailhead. It’s maintained by Mountain Stewards, Inc. who have tried and continue to try to improve it and their efforts are indeed noticeable.

The problem is that the area is so beautiful, but there is so much trash along the river bank and in the river that it totally spoils the feel of it. Once the trail forks off into the forest, the trash magically disappears, but if you continue along the river it only gets worse. One day we continued down the river in search of a clean place to hang out and enjoy the weather, but we never found it. Even though the trash on the bank lessens as the trail becomes less beaten, the large boulders and rocks that make it such a great place to kayak become a catch-all for the upstream trash. In addition to tubing, canoeing, & kayaking, a lot of people fish and picnic in this area, hence the garbage.

If you decide to check it out, keep your shoes on and watch out for fish hooks!