Georgia Natural Wonder #157 - Pine Mountain (Cartersville). 806

[Top Row Dawg]

Georgia Natural Wonder #157 - Pine Mountain (Cartersville)

We continue our explorations of Bartow County as we are on post #6 and wonder #5 so far. Pine Mountain is a summit in Cartersville, Georgia. At its highest point, the mountain has an elevation of 1,562 feet. Pine Mountain contains several miles worth of hiking trails.


You can see Pine Mountain off to the right (East) of I-75 as you go North from Atlanta to Chattanooga.

Pine Mountain in Cartersville is one of three Georgia summits of the same name.

Pine Mountain Range, a long ridge in Harris, Meriwether, and Talbot counties.
Pine Mountain (Bartow County, Georgia), a mountain in Cartersville, Georgia. (GNW #157)
Pine Mountain (Cobb County, Georgia), a small summit associated with the American Civil War.


Pine Mountain Cobb County (GNW #135)

We may have touched on the Pine Mountain Range with (GNW #4) but we are due to have it as a separate Wonder because of the lofty summit views from the longer Pine Mountain Trail at FD Roosevelt State Park. There is more than one Wonder Post dedicated to Pine Mountain down there.


Pine Mountain Range in Harris, Meriwether, and Talbot counties. Pine Mountain Trail winds 23 miles along an elevated ridge to beautiful waterfalls. Wife models for us.


And exceptional long-range views such as these from Dowdell Knob, where FDR had secret service men put his car backseat out for him to rest at the view.

Geography

But today we are up in Cartersville. Pine Mountain is located in southeastern Bartow County. I-75 runs to the west of the mountain, while Lake Allatoona is located to the east.



The summit, located inside Cartersville city limits, is mostly treeless and contains several rock outcrops.



Lake Allatoona, Cartersville, Plant Bowen and Atlanta are visible from the summit.


Plant Bowen

With an elevation of 1,562 feet, Pine Mountain is the third tallest mountain of Bartow County, if using a 100 feet prominence rule.



Much of land around the mountain used to be owned by businessman and politician Mark Anthony Cooper, whom we detailed in our last post surrounding the Cooper Furnace (GNW #156). Today it is owned by Komatsu, a Japanese multinational corporation and the world's second largest manufacturer of construction equipment and mining equipment after Caterpillar. In Japanese ko-matsu means "small pine tree".


They donated the land for the Mountain access. The West Loop trail head was dedicated in 2005.

Hiking

There are two trails that ascend the mountain: the East Loop and the West Loop trails. The East Loop can be accessed from State Route 20 spur, while the West Loop trailhead is located near I-75 Exit 288.



The East and West Loops are part of the Pine Mountain Recreational Area trail system and are connected to trails that lead to Cooper's Furnace near Allatoona Dam. The two trails rise over 600 feet over a course of a mile and contain several switchbacks.

Atlanta Trails

Hike the Pine Mountain Trail near Cartersville, Georgia, catching outstanding views of Allatoona Lake from a rocky mountain summit.



There’s nothing better than a drive to the North Georgia mountains for a dose of fresh air and a hike to a scenic mountain summit. Even better, though, when a local hike offers beautiful summit views and a great mountain climb – but without the long drive. The Pine Mountain Trail winds and climbs to sweeping views of Lake Allatoona, Stone Mountain and Kennesaw Mountain.



The trail, located just east of Cartersville, hikes a stream-filled coniferous forest, and winds along massive granite outcrops. And under 40 miles from midtown Atlanta, this figure-eight loop offers a fantastic, view-packed hike without a long drive to the trailhead.

Pine Mountain Trail near Cartersville: the hike

West Loop Trail:

The hike departs the Pine Mountain Trail west trail head, hiking the West Loop Spur Trail and crossing a wooden bridge over a trickling creek. The hike reaches the West Loop trail at just under .2 mile.



The hike turns right on the West Loop Trail, the most direct route to the Pine Mountain summit. The trail climbs elevation quickly, carving through a series of angular switchbacks in a 675-foot climb to the mountain’s summit. Reaching a signed trail junction at .9 mile, the hike turns right, hiking the East Pass Trail and continuing the climb. At just under 1 mile, the hike turns right again, hiking the Summit Overlook Trail to the Pine Mountain summit right at 1.5 miles.



As the trail reaches the mountain’s summit, the forest canopy clears to reveal large rock outcrops and scattered boulders on an expansive peak. Broad views open to the southeast, with Allatoona Lake visible just below the ridge and the Atlanta skyline visible on the far horizon.



The views are sweeping and stunning, and multiple rock outcrops offer a perfect place to rest and take in the view.



The hike departs the summit, retracing its steps on the Summit Overlook Trail and turning left on the East Pass Trail towards the East Loop. The trail hikes under large, windswept pines, reaching a second overlook.



Go back toward the summit and turn right on the West Loop, descending through a series of scattered, enormous granite outcrops on a series of switchbacks.



The trail continues to descend, reaching the West Spur Trail and turning right to return to the trail head. After crossing the wooden bridge, the hike reaches the parking area and trail head, completing the adventure at 3.0 miles.

East Loop Trail:

The parking lot for the East Trail Head is much smaller than the West Loop parking lot, but it's also a lot less busy. The East Loop itself is much less traveled so if you're looking for a little more solitude, this is the hike for you. At least until you get to the top.



East Loop Spur Trail begins by crossing Cooper Branch Creek via several wooden bridges. Leaving the trail head, pass the Cooper's Furnace connector trail on the right before coming to the trail junction split that forms this loop. All intersections are well marked and navigating is easy. To the right the trail is blazed yellow. To the left, white. You can take either way but the details on this page represent going around counter-clockwise, so to the right on the East Loop Trail.


Internet image East Loop.

The trail ascends through a fern and moss-filled creek valley, following the contours of a ridge. The trail meanders through a forest dotted with fern-covered rocks and pockets of wildflowers.


More Internet images of East Loop Trail.

The hike continues its climb as the trail ascends from the creek valley, climbing a series of switchbacks. Seasonal views of Allatoona Lake open on the trail’s left side before it reaches the East Pass Trail at 3.5 miles. The loop reconnects just before the summit. The hike turns left, following the East Pass across the Pine Mountain summit.Take the now white and yellow blazed trail to connect to the summit trail. At this point the trail is blazed red and blue as well, a combination of both East and West loops. At 600 feet above the trail head, the Pine Mountain Overlook rewards you with an expansive 180-degree views to the south



Pine Mountain Recreation Area

This is a rugged and challenging hike that reaches 1,562 feet above sea level. Once you reach the top of this mountain you will be at the highest point in the City of Cartersville. This land is part of 13,000 acres that was the original site of Mark Anthony Cooper's Iron Empire, and it includes a connector to the US Army Corps of Engineers Cooper's Furnace Trail.



The trail is open daily for hiking. Mountain biking is allowed on Wednesday and Saturday on the East Loop only.



Bikers must wear a helmet and follow the color-directional signs for those days.

East Loop Directions: I-75 to Exit 290, east on GA Highway 20, right at traffic light onto GA Spur 20, continue approximately four miles. The East Loop Trailhead access and parking area are on the right, just past Bartow Beach Road.

West Loop Directions: I-75 Exit 288, east on Main Street, at the end of Main Street turn right and the West Loop Trailhead access and parking area is on the left.

Reviews

The trail is covered and surrounded by granite outcrops and granite debris giving the trail a lot of visual and scampering interest. My kids and I had a great time.



Rocky, steep at places. Hiking shoes are best! Lovely view from the top!



This trail is convenient to I-75 if you are traveling and looking to take an exercise break. The trail can be rocky in places and hiking poles are recommended unless you are sure footed. From the summit you can see the Atlanta skyline on a clear day.



Trail was well defined with large and small rocks on path.



Awesome hike! What a surprise at the summit.



Super clean, fun and a lot of peace, there’s places on top where you Can have an amazing view, and others where you Can just sit and have a nice and relaxing moment.



It’s a rocky, rough uphill with lots of switchbacks to a panoramic overlook as your reward.



Top Row Dawg Addendum

All these images so far were gathered off the internet except for five. Top Row Dawg and his son and two dogs went on the West Loop hike last Monday and here is my hike description and images from our hike.


Show up at the West Loop Trail Head right off I-75.


The first thing you notice is this beautiful tree off to right at beginning of West Loop Spur Trail.


You go 2/10ths of a mile down hill to the bridge.


We waited at bridge with dogs as several groups were coming off mountain.


I could have used a piggy back ride coming off mountain. Got real woodsy real fast.


Well defined trail.


Rock formations everywhere.


I was sweating like a Dawg!


Little Swiss Grandmother steps.


Son loaned me a dog to help pull me up. Mixed results.


Starts to get real rocky as we approach summit.


Of course I get carried away with photos. Too many people to let dogs run free.


Switchbacks around rock. Can see son above me.


Then you come to the marker where the West and East Trails spur onto Summit Trail.


You go down the East Loop Trail about 50 yards and a large rock pile (likely a Native American grave, often found on scenic summits in former Cherokee and Creek lands) and a gnarled, old-growth tree stand just off the trail


Panoramic shot of this ideal spot. The Mountain Top Radio Tower is down this trail to the left.


Then you go up the Summit Trail.


Man I couldn't take enough photos this Summit Trail.



Boulders starting to get big.



1/4 mile this summit Trail. Fellow camping out, big stack of fire wood.



Pretty good camp spot.


Herschel Walker (Dog) pulling me to summit.


1st view was these cute girls enjoying view.


Marker for David Archer Overlook.


Son with his energy drink shirt.


Geological Summit Marker. Sun starting to set in West.


We explored all around the summit.


Other people climbing up.


Can see Kennesaw - Little Kennesaw - Lost Mountain on horizon.


Kennesaw and Little Kennesaw with Atlanta or Buckhead to left.


Super fuzzy zoom Atlanta.


My panoramic with selfie shadow.


Labor Day weekend wild flowers.


Summit round up images.


Red Top Mountain State Park Marina just behind son.


Only image I took going down Mountain. Son was bitching by then "Come on Dad". Plus we scrambled down some short cuts and I fell several times all scratched up from tumbles. Stay on trail.

We continue our explorations of Bartow County as our next post will be the 200th (8 full pages). Today's GNW Gals were actually photographed at or near the summit (Internet Images, not creepy TRD images).