Resolve to Get Outdoors & Fit in 2011

Challenge yourself this year to accomplish your goals whatever they may be.  Whether it’s spending more time with family, losing those post-holiday pounds or getting the kids out of the house and away from video games, Georgia State Parks can provide an affordable location to get families moving in Georgia’s great outdoors.  

Beginning Bee Keeping

Saturday, January 8, 9:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

Smithgall Woods Conservation Park – Helen

Learn about basic bee keeping and how to start a hive. The first hour will provide background information bee behavior, pollination, bee life cycle, a brief history of bee-keeping, and conservation issues. Berry Wright will show how equipment is assembled, how to install bees into the equipment, and resource information. There will be an optional trip to the apiary at 12:30. $10 plus $5 parking. (706) 878-3087.

Dulcimer-Making Workshop

Saturday, January 22, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Smithgall Woods Conservation Park – Helen

Assemble, sand and finish an all-wood Appalachian dulcimer with dulcimer maker and musician Bob Thomason. All tools and supplies are provided. No woodworking experience is required. Thomason has been making and playing fine Appalachian dulcimers since 1981. Register by January 14. $95 plus $5 parking. (706) 878-3087.

COASTAL GEORGIA

Trembling Earth Hike in the Okefenokee

Saturdays, January 8, 15, 22 and 29, 9:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.

Stephen C. Foster State Park – Fargo

Take a guided hike on the Trembling Earth Nature Trail. As you hike, learn about the plants and animals found in the beautiful Okefenokee Swamp and why wildfire is such an important factor to this unique ecosystem. $2 plus $5 parking. (912) 637-5274.

SOUTHERN & CENTRAL GEORGIA

Mountain Dulcimer Jam

Saturday, January 15 through Sunday, January 16, 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Mistletoe State Park – Appling

Musicians from around the state will converge on the beach house with mountain dulcimers, fiddles, banjos, basses, harmonicas and whatever shows up. If you have an instrument, bring it and join in. If you don’t, just come enjoy the music. $5 parking. (706) 541-0321.

Wild Gourmet Cooking Class & Lunch

Saturday, January 29, 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Mistletoe State Park – Appling

Learn the tricks of the trade from “regulars” at our Wild Gourmet dinners. What’s really involved in preparing acorns for human consumption? Is that great aroma coming from the oven really roasting grasshoppers? How does spiderwort go from being a border grass in your yard to a rich, creamy soup? Join us for demonstrations and recipes, followed by lunch. $5 parking. (706) 541-0321.

METRO ATLANTA

New Manchester History Hike

Saturdays, January 8, 15, 22 and 29, 1 p.m. – 3 p.m.

Sweetwater Creek State Park – Lithia Springs

This mile-long hike (easy to moderate) will lead us to the five story ruins of the Civil War-era New Manchester textile mill and focus on the history of the Sweetwater Creek Valley. This hike will include going inside the ruins and seeing the lovely rapids (providing great photo opportunities). $3-$4 plus $5 parking. (770) 732-5871. 

Lost Person Prevention

Saturday, January 8, 10 a.m.

Panola Mountain State Park – Stockbridge

Learn simple techniques for not getting lost and keeping track of your family when venturing into the great outdoors of Georgia. Search and Rescue Dog Team will be joining the class unless a SAR activity is occurring. Meeting at the nature center. We recommend arriving 30 minutes before each program. Register in advance. $5 parking. (770) 389-7801.

Basic Fly Fishing Clinic

Saturday, January 8, 10 a.m.

Panola Mountain State Park – Stockbridge

The two-hour clinic covers equipment, knot tying, casting, safety issues and other tricks of the trade. If time permits participants may stay to catch the “Fish of Fish.” Instructors C. H. Brown and Michael Reilley suggest wearing long pants/shorts and hiking shoes, and bringing snacks, water and sun lotion. Georgia fishing license required. Meeting at the Alexander Lake Parking Area. We recommend arriving 30 minutes before each program. Register in advance. $15 or $12 with own gear. $5 parking. (770) 389-7801. 

Backcountry Geology Hike

Sunday, January 9, 1 p.m. – 4 p.m.

Sweetwater Creek State Park – Lithia Springs

Geologist and Friends member John Johnston will lead a moderate three-mile hike identifying rock types and explaining how they formed. Explore the beautiful Jack’s Branch area and the seldom-visited rock quarry of New Manchester. Meet in the Interpretive Center. $5 plus $5 parking. (770) 732-5871. 

Chattahoochee Riverside Hike

Sunday, January 9, 1 p.m. – 4 p.m.

Sweetwater Creek State Park – Lithia Springs

This easy to moderate three-mile hike will take us mostly alongside the Chattahoochee River in Sweetwater Creek State Park. Explore beautiful and seldom-visited areas of the Park. Meet at the Interpretive Center where we will carpool 10 minutes to the trailhead. Register in advance. $5 parking. (770) 732-5871. 

Winter Splendor Hike

Saturday, January 15, 1 p.m. – 4 p.m.

Sweetwater Creek State Park – Lithia Springs

This ranger-led hike will visit a beautiful and seldom-visited area of the park (including the bridge-inaccessible Yellow Trail) to appreciate the glorious splendor of wintertime. The hike will be approximately 3.5 miles long and is rated moderate. Meet at the Interpretive Center where we will carpool 10 minutes to the trailhead. Register in advance. $5 plus $5 parking. (770) 732-5871. 

Saturday Mountain Hike

Saturday, January 15, 10 a.m.

Panola Mountain State Park – Stockbridge

These guided hikes depart from Panola’s nature center and are for people in good physical condition. This hike allows park visitors to see Panola Mountain up close, as the Ranger explains the reasons Panola Mountain is protected, and what we can all do to preserve the natural beauty of granite outcrops. Bring sturdy shoes, water, bug spray, and your camera! The Panola Mountain hike starts at 10am and generally lasts 2-3 hours. Rain or shine. Meeting at the nature center. $7 plus $5 parking. (770) 389-7801.

Tree Top Excursions: Introduction Climb

Saturday, January 15, 1 p.m. – 4 p.m.

Panola Mountain State Park – Stockbridge

Join us “on rope” for an adventure exploring the canopy above. This is an introductory climb to Canopy-Adventure-Research-Educational Technical Tree Climbing (CARE TTC). Participants will use rope and harness for this moderately strenuous activity. Meeting at Naomi-Ruth Climbing Tree. We recommend arriving 30 minutes before each program. Register in advance. $15 plus $5 parking. (770) 389-7801.

Panola Mountain Night Hike

Saturday, January 15, 5 p.m.

Panola Mountain State Park – Stockbridge

Join us for an enchanted evening as we hike to the mountain top under the watchful eye of the full moon. We’ll head out just before sunset and enjoy the stroll as the moon begins to rise. Bring flashlights, hiking boots and water. Meet at the nature center 30 minutes before each program. Register in advance. $7 plus $5 parking. (770) 389-7801.

Hazen’s Approach March: Behind-the-Scenes Tour

Saturday, January 15, 2 p.m.

Pickett’s Mill Battlefield Historic Site – Dallas

A ranger-led tour follows Union General William B. Hazen’s approach route to the Battle of Pickett’s Mill on May 27, 1864. The tour takes you through parts of the battlefield not seen by the average visitor. Wear weather-appropriate clothing and comfortable hiking shoes since the tour is across the same rugged terrain crossed by soldiers in 1864. $2.75 – $4.00 (770) 443-7850.

Skins and Skulls Wildlife ID Class

Saturday, January 15, 2 p.m. – 4 p.m.

Sweetwater Creek State Park – Lithia Springs

Want to learn how to identify wildlife like a professional tracker? This class will teach beginners interested in the outdoors how to identify wildlife like the experts. This indoor class will be held in the Interpretive Center. $5 plus $5 parking. (770) 732-5871. 

“Ruins to Rapids” Full Moon Hike

Thursday, January 20, 7 p.m. – 9 p.m.

Sweetwater Creek State Park – Lithia Springs

This 1.5-mile ranger-led night hike is moderately difficult and goes inside the Civil War-era textile mill ruins of New Manchester and follows the lovely rapids (up to class IV) of Sweetwater Creek. Bring a flashlight and sturdy shoes. No children under 6 or dogs. Meet inside the Visitor Center. Register in advance. $5 plus $5 parking. (770) 732-5871. 

Mountain Bike Adventures

Saturday, January 22, 10 a.m.

Panola Mountain State Park – Stockbridge

Join the Southern Bicycle League at the Rockdale River Trail for an off-road adventure. This ride will take you to scenic vistas, wetland complexes and pine savannah, including both dirt and paved trails. Meet at the Alexander Lake Parking Area. We recommend arriving 30 minutes before each program. Register in advance. $5 parking. (770) 389-7801. 

Atlanta Audubon Society Intro to Birdwatching Hike

Saturday, January 22, 8 a.m. – 10 a.m.

Sweetwater Creek State Park – Lithia Springs

This field trip is designed for anyone interested in learning more about the birds of Georgia, the important habitats critical to some species, and organization like the Audubon Society that are dedicated to bird conservation. All participants welcome, meet at the Sweetwater Creek Interpretive Center. $5 parking. (770) 732-5871.

Introduction to Wildlife Painting

Saturday, January 22, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.

Sweetwater Creek State Park – Lithia Springs

This classroom program will give participants a chance to render paintings of mounted animals and birds. Students will see accurate proportions and be able to look at real feathers and fur. Acrylic paint, paper and brushes will be supplied. Register in advance. $10 plus $5 parking. (770) 732-5871.

Lower Creek/Alexander’s Mill Hike

Saturday, January 29, 12 p.m. – 4 p.m.

Sweetwater Creek State Park – Lithia Springs

This ranger-led, four hour hike will cover the area downstream of our designated trail system including the Civil War era Alexander’s Mill area and the area downstream most impacted by the “500 year flood” of September 2009. This three mile, moderately difficult hike will take you to beautiful and rarely visited areas. $5 plus $5 parking. (770) 732-5871.

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