Saturday started like most Saturdays during volleyball season…except, with COVID-19, there are multiple volleyball waves. Normally we are up and at em early, but my hubby’s team was in the afternoon wave. We headed out about lunch time. I dropped off my hubby at the venue and headed to my hiking spot for the day.

I have visited East Palisades in Sandy Springs before but as I drove in, it looked different. The road leading in was one lane and I knew I was at a different place than the last trip here. I parked and got out to check out the trail map, to see where my Waze had brought me. I arrived and parked at EP 19 of the East Palisade Trail. When I looked at the map, I was a little overwhelmed as I’m very directionally challenged. The map does not show distances between EPs, so I snapped a photo of the map and off I went, hoping for the best. My goal was to make it to EP 26 to see the bamboo forest. My last trip to East Palisades, I never made it to the Bamboo Forest, so today it was a must visit.

I ran into quite a few people on the trail and a lot of pups too. It was about 40 degrees, but after about half a mile I was warmed up, gloves and jacket off and I pressed on. At each EP, there is a trail map, which is helpful and made the hike less daunting trying to make it to EP 26 (the farthest point). Some of the trail is right along the Chattahoochee River and others you’re just along little trickling streams.

The trail has quite a few muddy spots, so be prepared with your footwear. One the way to and from the bamboo forest, I passed EP 16 where there was some sort of remains of a building.

Lookout

There was also a lookout where you could see the river from above and even some skyscrapers in Atlanta.

By the time I made it to EP 26, my Apple Watch said I had hiked 2.72 miles. I was so glad to have made it! The bamboo forest was beautiful and it was right along the river.

Bamboo Forest

I was concerned, as usual, and overthinking…so I didn’t spend too much time there, as I wanted to make sure I had plenty of daylight to make it back to the car without a hitch. On the way back, I found a different way and it was a little shorter than the path I took there. My total for the day was 4.7 miles so my return trip was only 2 miles.

I felt accomplished and was glad to have made it all the way today! Another Saturday exploration in the books!

Until the next one…keep staying safe, exploring where you can and loving life no matter what.

XOXO

-S