‘Easy’ Pine Mountain hiking trail to open for runners, some wheelchairs and strollers
A new hiking trail, created by volunteers and named in memory of the Pine Mountain Trail Association’s late maintenance supervisor, is opening in Harris County. It’s designed for those who’d prefer an “easy” hike in nature.
The trail is dubbed Carl’s Cove in honor of Carl Carlson, who died in 2019 at 83 in hospice care after being diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 2013.
A dedication ceremony will officially open the trail at 9 a.m on July 9.
Though it’s not certified as a trail for people with disabilities, with less than a 3% grade and a path that’s at least 8 feet wide along its 4,809-foot length (nine-tenths of a mile), it’s the flattest and widest trail on the mountain, PMTA board secretary Jim Hall told the Ledger-Enquirer.
The PMTA maintains 42 miles of trails on Pine Mountain in FDR State Park, comprising the 23-mile main trail and seven connector trails. Carl’s Cove is an additional loop that doesn’t connect to the main trail, Hall said, but it’s the first path in the network built to accommodate three-wheel strollers and all-terrain wheelchairs.
Bicycles, however, aren’t permitted.
Origin of Carl’s Cove
This new trail is the fruition of a vision that Carl Carlson championed after former PMTA board member Bill Krysak.
“Carl kept pushing us to get it done,” Hall said. “They realized that we needed something for the person who couldn’t walk strenuously. We were always hearing people say, ‘I wish you had a flatter trail. I wish you didn’t have any rocks or roots on it.’ … We’re just completing what Carl really wanted to do.”
Five years ago, Tom Flournoy identified 10 acres that was privately owned since the late 1800s but landlocked in the park, Hall said. After buying the property, the PMTA had it surveyed and studied for environmental, antiquity and plant biology issues, then sold it to the Georgia Department of Natural Resources for it to be included in the park.
“We knew how flat it was, and an easement road already was there,” Hall said. “We just had to clear it.”
After several years of waiting for state approval, the PMTA hired a company to mulch the numerous fallen trees along the path. Approximately 35 PMTA volunteers totaled more than 400 hours during 27 project days the past six months to complete the trail, Hall said.
The first 1,400 feet of the trail is fine gravel along the former access road. The rest of the trail is a dirt path through the woods. Toward the end of the lollipop-shaped loop, hikers approach a chimney of the house that was once on the property.
The PMTA installed three benches around the loop and placed a picnic table near the chimney. Volunteers are working on signs beside the path to note the names of various plants and trees. Each sign will have a QR code for hikers to scan and learn more about the local botany.
The 35-40 different trees and plants in Carl’s Cove include hickory, oak, dogwood, poplar, cedar and magnolia trees, Hall said, plus rare beautyberry bushes, a flowering plant native to the area.
The new trail is also clear enough of rocks and roots for runners, Hall said.
“They can boogie on that,” he said.
Overall, the project cost the association about $12,000, Hall said. But that doesn’t include the sweat equity in donated manual labor. No wonder he called the result “awesome” when comparing the trail’s condition before and after the work.
It’s a fitting tribute to Carlson.
“He was up there two or three times a week,” Hall said of Carlson’s dedication to the Pine Mountain Trail system. “For years, he led hikes, he led workdays. He inspired all of us to do the volunteer work. He was always behind us when we came up with crazy ideas. He was always willing to help.”
Directions to Carl’s Cove
Hall provided the following directions to the Carl’s Cove trail:
Take Georgia Route 190 to the FDR State Park office. Turn left onto Lake Delanor Road. Drive toward the RV campground for about three-fourths of a mile until you see the Carl’s Cove signs on the left, near the new parking area.
The Pine Mountain Trail Association board oversees all projects and trail maintenance. The late Neal Wickham founded the trail in 1975. His son, Malon Wickham, is the PMTA board president.
For more information about the PMTA, see its website pinemountaintrail.org and Facebook.
This story was originally published July 7, 2022 at 7:12 AM.
