OUT & ABOUT
Mountain foliage blazes with reds, oranges and yellows
By Collin Kelley If you’re looking for a socially distanced weekend outing this fall, a drive through the North Georgia mountains or North Carolina to see the leaves changing color couldn’t be more perfect. At this writing, Georgia State Parks were limiting access if parks become too overcrowded to maintain social distancing for the pandemic. Some activities in the parks have also been limited or cancelled, so check with an individual park at gastateparks.org before you go. According to the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, these are the parks to check for the best views of leaves changing color. Amicalola Falls State Park & Lodge – Dawsonville
20
About an hour north of Atlanta you’ll find the Southeast’s tallest cascading waterfall. A short, flat path leads to a boardwalk offering the most spectacular views. There’s also an easy-to-reach overlook at the top. For a tougher challenge, start from the bottom of the falls and hike up the steep staircase.
(Brasstown Bald is the state’s highest peak.) Roadside overlooks and the summit visitor center offer sweeping views of the Blue Ridge
Mountains. The 2.2-mile Tennessee Rock Trail is a good choice for a short, moderate hike. For an all-day challenge, take the 7.2-mile James E.
Black Rock Mountain State Park – Clayton At an altitude of 3,640 feet, Black Rock Mountain is Georgia’s highest state park.
NOVEMBER 2020 | AtlantaSeniorLife.com
facebook.com/AtlantaSeniorLife
