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Vineyard Mountain Eagle Scout Trail

Location: Lake Allatoona

Directions: From Canton, Take Ga. 20 to I75. Go South on 75 to Red Top Mtn Rd. (Exit 285). Trailhead on left before Bethany Bridge.
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Trailhead: Red Top Mtn. Road near Bethany Bridge

Nearest City: Cartersville

Trail Length:

• Yellow Trailblaze - 2.8 Difficulty: Intermediate

• Blue Trailblaze - 0.25 Difficulty: Intermediate

• Red Trailblaze - 0.7 Difficulty: Advanced

Trail Management: US Army Corps of Engineers Allatoona Lake Operations Project Management Office at 678-721-6700.

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Trail Description: A system made up of three different trails. The yellow blaze that leads through the mature wooded shoreline of Lake Allatoona and on to some great views of the dam below from the ridge. The red blaze trail which ascends to the highest point of the trail system at Vineyard Mountain (Elevation: 1,354 Feet - Latitude: 340931N Longitude: 0844343W) and the blue blaze which leads up Vineyard Mountain from the 2nd trailhead at the Etowah River to quickly intersect with the yellow and red trails.

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The sun was out for a while yesterday which was great because I planned to do another hike near canton and decided on Vineyard Mountain.

I started at the trailhead at the Bethany Bridge pulloff and headed towards the dam. It was a quiet day on the trail and I only saw two other people the entire hike.

During the first leg of the trail it winds a little too close to several houses that border the corp. land. For me, this is the main downside to the trail. Its close to civilization with neighborhoods to your left and the sound of boaters to your right and for me this is a factor. I don’t know much about the typical migrant behavior of motor boat owners but I would assume its more quiet during the week if your fortunate enough to hike then. If your prerequisite for the hike is proximity and lack of travel, this is a great hike for being so close in.

Once again the trail was a little slick in parts like an area about 1 1/2 miles in or so where several trees currently cover the old trail and a new detour has now been cut.

The trail has several views of the lake through the woods, wildlife, several species of indigenous trees and the trail itself is well maintained.

One of the highlights of the trail for me is reaching the ridge that overlooks the dam and surrounding hills as well as the lake. The yellow trail leads by a tower with a clearing just below and probably some of the best views of the dam and surrounding area.

After the tower the trail levels off and a rock wall runs along the left side of the trail before you start descending. You will soon come to an intersection where the yellow, red and blue trails converge. I decided to continue on the yellow trail to its end. At the bottom of the trail you will see the Etowah River and the road leading to the base of the dam. From here I decided to take the blue trail up the mountain. Its a short trail with a few switchbacks but for the most part ascends straight up. If your starting from this parking area this is a great way to get your heart rate up to speed pretty quickly. The blue trail brings you back to the three trail intersection. From here I took the red trail to the top of the mountain.

At the top of Vineyard Mountain there are several spots with views of Lake Allatoona and the area for the trailhead at Bethany Bridge where I began my hike.

Spent a few minutes taking it all in and then headed back down the mountain on the red trail. The red trail meets up with the yellow near the tower/dam overlook area. I followed the yellow trail back completing my hike where I was parked at the Bethany Bridge on Red Top Mtn Rd.

If you are looking for a family activity or close hikes in North Georgia this is definitely worth checking out.

Tags: Cartersville hikes, georgia hikes, hikes near canton