Just Off the Interstate
An “emergency” hike when I had a few minutes while driving south took me to the Beech Bluff Trail in the Lake Hartwell State Recreation Area.
Mid-May rolled around and I had been jonesin’ for a hike. This Spring continued to be highly busy with weekends chock full of activities. Not that I’m complaining, mind you, I love hanging out with friends and family. But I needed at least a brief trip outdoors among the trees. So, one Saturday, my scheduled activity was to attend a meeting of the Northeast Georgia Scottish Gaelic Society. It’s a fun group of folks learning Scottish Gaelic and discussing comparative linguistics down in Athens, Georgia. But it didn’t start until the afternoon.
After some quick rudimentary math and time estimation, I realized I had an opportunity. As long as I kept it short, I could get a hike in and get back in time to shower, get lunch, and do the 1.5 hour drive to the Classic City in time for the meeting. I just needed to find a short hike. Looking over my trail guides, I chose the Beech Bluff trail in the Lake Hartwell State Recreation Area. I had seen the signs for the park many times during my days of commuting between Seneca and Athens, but never checked it out. Seemed like the right time.
After arriving at the park, I met a park ranger who asked me if I needed any assistance. I asked if he could tell me where the trailhead was for the Beech Bluff trail. He looked confused for a moment and then hesitantly said that there was a nature trail over “that way.”
Not the most promising of beginnings.
In general, I avoid trails with the description “nature trail,” as they’re often easy and short (not always, but often). But, in this case, I already knew it was short (in fact, I was counting on it). So, parked where he indicated, and grabbed my gear. A quick scan located the sign that said “Nature Trail” (how did anyone know it was called Beech Bluff?), and I set off.
According to trail guides, the trail is only about 1.2 miles, if you use the park road on the return to form a loop. So, it didn’t take very long. But, it’s actually a rather pretty hike, if you tune out the sounds of I-85, which is rather close. The park is right near the intersection of I-85 and scenic SC Highway 11. It winds through a very lush green hardwood forest down to an inlet of Lake Hartwell.
While at the inlet, I worked to find a good shot that didn’t include the traffic making the crossing from South Carolina into Georgia on the interstate. I think I was rather successful, and the deep blue sky against the green trees was a gorgeous backdrop. I didn’t linger very long, but headed on down the trail, which swung back upward and joined the main road for the park.
A swift walk, and I was back to the car. Seriously, not a very strenuous or lengthy hike, but if you’re looking for a quick walk through the woods to get a good view of the lake, it’s not a bad trip, at all.
