{"id":391,"date":"2010-07-14T15:25:54","date_gmt":"2010-07-14T15:25:54","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/sissoncompany.com\/sisson\/"},"modified":"2010-07-27T23:42:58","modified_gmt":"2010-07-27T23:42:58","slug":"trails-communities","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"http:\/\/sissoncompany.com\/sisson\/outdoor-activities\/trails-communities\/","title":{"rendered":"Trails & Pavilions in Our Communities"},"content":{"rendered":"

Griffin Thrasher Trail<\/h2>\n
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Griffin Thrasher Trail Entrance<\/p><\/div>\n

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Length<\/h3>\n

The Griffin-Thrasher Trail is a circular, winding three-mile path beginning and ending at the Lake Buckhorn Pavilion.\u00a0 The trail parallels both Lake Buckhorn and several creeks:\u00a0 Whitepath Creek, Jones Creek, and Boardtown Creek.\u00a0 It also passes Key Creek and Bryant Creek.\u00a0 Distance markers along the trail will keep hikers informed as to how far they have walked.<\/p>\n

Wilderness<\/h3>\n

The first one and one-half miles of the trail wraps around Lake Buckhorn, two large trout streams and passes through a wildlife sanctuary.\u00a0 This outstanding highlight has been perpetually preserved by the Georgia Land Convservancy.\u00a0 Much of this area is wetland and a variety of flora and fauna can be found.\u00a0 The last mile of the trail also offers frequent opportunities for citing deer, bear, wild turkey, bobcat ,and other smaller game.\u00a0 There are primitive campsites on the river just below Lake Whitepath.\u00a0 The recommended apparel for all seasons is long pants and non-skid tread bottomed shoes or boots.<\/p>\n

Primitive<\/h3>\n

The trail is 4 to 6 feet wide and consists mostly of a bare dirt tread way.\u00a0 On steep or slippery areas, however, mulch has been added to give better traction.\u00a0 Footbridges have been constructed to make the crossing of steams easier.\u00a0 There are also sections that utilize the remains of old roadbeds.\u00a0 The entire trail can be hiked in less than two hours.\u00a0 There are no shelters.<\/p>\n

Johnson Dam<\/h3>\n

When you have traveled the lenght of Lake Buckhorn (approximatley 1,000 feet) and strat down the incline, pause to look at the construction of the dam.\u00a0 In the early 1900’s Thomas Edmonson Johnson hauled huge boulders and stone from the surrounding mountainside to create this structure. His only tools were handheld ones and the huge rocks were hauled on a horse drawn wagon. It is hard to imagine the work that went into the project.In the future a granite marker will be placed at this site to commemorate this feat.<\/p>\n

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View from Pavilion<\/p><\/div>\n

Experience<\/h3>\n

We believe anyone who takes the time to hike this trail will be inspired by the wide diversityof natural and man-made landscape architecture.\u00a0 Immediately after elaving the plaque com memorating the Griffins and Thrashers, one will be awed by the abundance of water including lakes, springs, branches, ponds, and cascading waterfalls.\u00a0 You will pass mammoth rock outcroppings, old grwoth trees, cabins and split rail fences.\u00a0 Your walk will take you through managed wildlife areas, past magnificent rhododendrons, montain laurel, flame azaleas, fern fields and wildflower plains including orchids and jack-in-the-pulpits.\u00a0 At different seasons of the year you’ll be amazed by summer gold finches, pure blue skies, views of Rich and Cohutta Mountain ranges, winter snow, solitude and healing.\u00a0 This is why you should take the time to enjoy the Griffin-Thrasher experience.
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Benton MacKaye Trail \/Appalachian Trail<\/h2>\n
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Hiking the Benton MacKaye Trail<\/p><\/div>\n

The CherryLog Mountain and Laurel Ridge communities boast a ridge of the Benton MacKaye Trail.\u00a0 This Trail is part of the Appalachian Trail system and can be followed to the Appalachian Trail’s end in\u00a0 Maine.\u00a0 A trail shelter is located below the waterfalls on Indian Rock Lake.<\/p>\n

The section that\u00a0goes through the Sisson communties follows beautiful creek banks with a display of native flora and fauna, as well as mountain ridges which offer stunning panoramic views.\u00a0 \u00a0For more information on the Benton MacKaye Trail go to www.bmta.org<\/a>. For information on Appalachian Trail go to www.appalachiantrail.org<\/a>.
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Creekside Pavilion and Chapel at Cherry Lake<\/h2>\n\n\n\n \t
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