Ray Major

At an altitude of 3,640 feet, Black Rock Mountain State Park is the highest state park in Georgia. It straddles the Eastern Continental Divide in northeastern Georgia. Driving up the road into the park, I saw a bear for the first time in my life. It was a black bear cub that sauntered across the road several yards in front of me. Unfortunately, I didn’t have the camera handy enough to get a picture.

 

I chose to hike the 2.2 mile Tennessee Rock Trail. This trail has the added bonus of being a very educational experience. It goes through a diversity of terrain and habitats. There are 25 markers along the trail, and a brochure available at the Visitors Center for a small fee tells what to be aware of at each one.

 

I started around the trail counterclockwise, the way it was intended, only to find that recent winds had blown a tree down across the trail. Being reluctant to risk leaving the trail to go around, and fearing that the first tree might be just one of many, I turned around and headed the other way. I figured I would see how far I could get going clockwise. Along the way I encountered other hikers who assured me the tree could be gotten around safely and it was the only major obstacle. So I hiked the entire trail in the opposite direction from which it was intended.

 

One of the coolest things about the trail is that for a while it straddled the Eastern Continental Divide. I had driven across the Continental Divide numerous times in my life, but this was the first time I ever crossed it on foot.

 

The trail includes the Tennessee Rock Overlook, which gave me this wonderful view of the mountains.

 

I can honestly say I’ve hiked to the top of a mountain, although my starting point was well up from the bottom.

 

There’s nothing like a walk in the woods.

 

In the immortal words of Yogi Berra, “When you come to a fork in the road, take it!” Actually this fork was a side section of the trail leading to a boulder pile. I came in one way and went out the other.

 

The boulder pile.

 

Frankly, I wasn’t greatly interested in seeing a boulder pile, and wasn’t very impressed when I did. But if I had skipped that little detour like I started to, I would have missed this extraordinary sight. This tree looks like it is actually walking through the woods.

 

Upon my return to the parking lot, I snapped this picture of some flowers. Maybe someday I’ll learn enough botany to be able to tell you what kind they are. For now, I just call them beautiful.

 

 

 

 

Filed under: Beautiful Places