Georgia Natural Wonder #186 - Rottenwood Creek. 944

[Top Row Dawg]

Georgia Natural Wonder #186 - Rottenwood Creek

We did the Chattahoochee River all the way down from Buford Dam over the past few months. Hell, we spent 9 Georgia Natural Wonders on the Hooch past Columbus to Decatur County and up to White County and Helen.....

In Numerical Order:

GNW #59 - Columbus

GNW #77 - White County

GNW #99 (Part 2) - Helen

GNW #152 (Part 2) - Decatur County

GNW #178 - Forsyth County

GNW #181 - North Gwinnett County

GNW #182 - Bull Sluice Lake

GNW #183 - Ramblin Raft Race

GNW #184 - Cochran Shoals and Powers Island

GNW #185 - Palisades

My gosh, I find 12 more Georgia Natural Wonders on tributaries of the Hooch. Not gonna list them all, but I did find a hidden wonder with our last post on the palisades right here in Cobb County Georgia. Another tributary of the Hooch, turns out to be worthy of a separate Natural Wonder mention.


TRD panoramic under Interstate North Parkway.

Rottenwood Creek (also spelled "Rotten Wood Creek") is a stream in Cobb County in the U.S. state of Georgia. It is a tributary to the Chattahoochee River.


Can see Blue Heron in above ^ image.

Rottenwood Creek was named for Rotten Wood, a local Cherokee Indian.

OK TRD has passed his partial Cherokee Blood to his daughter.
Who has found a large Rottenwood Tree at the start of the trail.


Rocky trail at points.


Trail Map

I traveled the southern section of Rottenwood Creek with my daughter and her boyfriend a few weekends ago.


And their little dawg Onyx.

The south segment is 2 miles long: the portion of the trail on national park land is called the Rottenwood Creek Trail while the urban 0.5 mile on the western end is known as the Bob Callan Trail. The trail is a natural escape from a busy urban lifestyle and is popular with everyone from moms pushing strollers to eager morning cyclists and older folks taking afternoon strolls.



The trail begins at the Palisades Trailhead of the Chattanooga NRA at Paces Mills. The trail begins its journey on a wide, porous concrete path paralleling the Hooch, as the river is fondly known. A screen of trees hems the trail in.


And lots of Rock formations.

The trail passes under a highway overpass at just over .5 mile. The highway’s enormous concrete supports tower cathedral-like over the wide, smooth-flowing river, a juxtaposition of nature and urban infrastructure. Views of the Chattahoochee River open wide after the trail ducks out from under the towering overpass, and the river’s flow is often glassy and reflective in this stretch.


All TRD images so far today in this post.

After you cross under I-75, the turns left and leaves the river, now following Rottenwood Creek instead.



Boardwalks and bridges break up the monotony and are great spots to pause and take it in. 



The paved trail crosses a bridge spanning Rottenwood Creek before arcing northwest. Following the contours of the tumbling Rottenwood Creek on the left. The trail crosses a wooden boardwalk and then crosses the creek via a large wood and metal bridge.




Can see (and hear) above ramp for I-75 North to Cumberland Blvd.

Several dirt side trails depart on trail right, diving into the forest along the river’s banks.




Cliffs along Creek.



This stretch of the West Palisades is remote, and makes for a great trail run or fantastic urban hike up to Akers Drive.



At about 1 mile in, the terrain changes from relatively flat to hillier as it slopes up to meet I-285.



Signs of urban life begin to creep back through, particularly the apartment buildings that can be viewed from the trail.



Several side trails depart on the trail’s right, offering access to the creek bed, a popular swimming hole for dogs.



The path meanders through switchbacks, beginning a steep climb towards Akers Mill Road. During the summer months, this stretch can be draining under the hot sun. Along this section, the trail connects to Cumberland Boulevard by way of a short side trail.


Rottenwood Creek drops far below the trail to the right.



The trail levels after a steady climb, crossing Rottenwood Creek over an elevated bridge.



A small waterfall cascades over large boulders below the bridge, shaded by a towering highway bridge.



At 1.5 miles, the trail exits park land – there is a sign to let you know this. From here, the Bob Callan Trail picks up in Cumberland Community Improvement District (CID).



It passes Akers Mill Trail and ducks under the tangle of freeways which includes I-285.





Passing under I-285.





The trail emerges at the designated Bob Callan Trail trail head.


The trail leads to an unpaved trail on the other side of the creek.


Looking across to the paved boardwalk portion of trail.

From here, this adventure on the West Palisades Trail doubles back to Paces Mill park, retracing its outbound steps the trail head. The return run is almost all downhill, descending along Rottenwood Creek to the banks of the Chattahoochee River, and then running nearly level to return to the trail head. The run reaches the parking area at 3.6 miles, finishing the adventure.

Parking and Trail Access

For the south segment, parking is available at either end. There are 10 spaces of free parking at the Bob Callan Trailhead on Interstate Parkway North. At the Paces Mills Unit of the Chattanooga NRA, there’s much more room to park, as well as restrooms but there is a fee of $3 to enter the national park.


TRD getting artsy.

Found these images from All Trails of flora along hike.





Cumberland Community Improvement District (CID).

Now I went back to the Bob Callan Trailhead on Interstate Parkway North on Sunday while the Braves were beating the Cardinals during the 2nd game of a doubleheader across the expressway. This whole trail is part of the Cumberland Community Improvement District (CID). It is a self-taxing district covering 6.5 square miles in southern Cobb County, Georgia that includes the intersections of I-75, I-285 and U.S. Highway 41.



The southern portion of the trail features a 2-mile hike that follows along Rottenwood Creek and leads pedestrians and cyclists over pedestrian bridges and elevated boardwalks. We covered that above.



The CID continues the user experience from the Bob Callan Trailhead (Interstate North Parkway & Cumberland Blvd.) one mile north toward Windy Hill Road.


Rocky cliffs below Pappadeaux from Windy Hill Bridge.

This portion of the trail is now complete and includes:


   
Six boardwalk sections, totaling approximately 1,300 ft. in length.


   
One steel truss bridge spanning a small creek tributary.


   
One overlook for viewing the shoals (at the Assurant property)



And those were the biggest rapids on Rottenwood Creek.


   
Resting areas with benches at each end of trail.


This trail runs right behind so many offices.

The multi-use trail connects 32 million square feet of commercial space to 1,200 acres of unspoiled national park land.


   
The trail is paved with a porous concrete designed to handle pedestrians, cyclists and even maintenance vehicles. The porous surface allows for rainfall to filter through to the ground as well.

   

Following Rottenwood Creek, the boardwalks of this section work into the natural environment around rock formations and the creek bed.



Cumberland CID two mile northern extension of the Bob Callan Trail will continue the user experience from the Bob Callan Trailhead to the Terrell Mill Road area.
   

For now you can almost reach Windy Hill before it leads to private property. The Creek has some good rapids south of Windy Hill.
   
A new trailhead and parking facility that will offer free parking will be constructed off Terrell Mill Road.


But for now the only trail is south of Windy Hill.
   
The design is complete and awaiting funding partners for construction. The Bob Callan Trail is part of a 25-mile network of multi-use trails in process in and around the Cumberland area, with 16 miles already constructed.


Blue Heron at main rapid.

The north segment of the Bob Callan Trail is 1 mile long and begins along South Marietta Parkway and meets Rottenwood Creek at Aviation Road. It winds between the university’s athletic fields and comes to an unceremonious end at Alumni Drive. This segment is alternately known as University Trail. There is no designated parking for the north segment in Marietta.


All my images were from below Windy Hill.

TRD Addendum

Now I captured these images from Sunday's hike of the Creek up to Windy Hill.



There was this abandoned bridge across creek.



I was surprised to see this big ole otter frolicking in the creek.



Akers Mill

Now I stayed on the trail as it traveled far above the creek the first time I went there.



It looks like I need to stay on the creek because I missed Akers Mill. Been there twice now, was looking for the sign and clear trail.



Akers Mill, was a complex of at least two 19th-century mills along Rottenwood Creek in Cobb County, Georgia, United States. The gristmill built into the bank overlooking the creek, with six terraces each acting as an individual floor in the mill operation.



The mills developed shortly before the Civil War, were sold to the Akers family in 1873 and in turn were utilized for the production of flour and meal for their Atlanta area grocery stores. The Akers Brothers cut out and graded new roads to the mill and also farmed the nearby land. Additionally, they employed about 60 people and constructed housing in a small village south of the mills.

Production

The gristmill's location on the banks of the creek allowed it to take advantage of its natural water power. Rottenwood Creek's flow reached 720 cubic feet per minute during that time. On March 25, 1880, an article in the Marietta Journal reported, Akers Mill had installed a new process of milling that increased from 39 to 43 pounds the amount of flour extracted from a bushel of wheat.



Additionally, they were able to provide a finer grade of flour for consumption. The flour mill was capable of producing 200 barrels (196 pounds each) of flour daily, while the corn mill could produce 1,500 bushels of cornmeal in the same period. The flour mill was powered by a 36-inch turbine, supplemented by an 80-horsepower engine in the event water was scarce. Also, the 1880 U.S. Census records indicate the first mill's turbine was under a 23-foot head and the second mill's was below a 26-foot head.

Present

Akers Mill underwent bankruptcy in 1879. The mill closed in 1889 with "liabilities of $100,000 and assets about the same." As the Atlanta area grew, the forgotten gristmill became derelict; and on August 15, 1978, its remnants were protected by the U.S. National Park Service, as part of the Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area.



In early 1990s, an archaeological survey investigation was done on the area as part of the Kennedy Parkway Project. The intact terraces and deposits allowed the archaeological study to address the internal technological structure of the mill, a historical dimension rarely recovered archeologically, since technological equipment was normally removed from mill buildings prior to their demolition or collapse. A limited recovery was done on an area of the site that could not be saved; however it seemed to be part of a domestic situation, rather than for primary industrial use. Currently, the terraces and the old flagstone foundations remain standing near the Rottenwood Creek Multi-Use Trail on the waterway.



The modern suburban edge-city of Cumberland has developed nearby, and Akers Mill Road remains its namesake but now intersects with Cumberland Boulevard on the hill above, to the northwest.



The ruins are located at GPS coordinates N33°53.189' W084°27.202'.


You have to go way down below trail.

Fortunately B.E. Roberts has explored the Mill and documented these images and commentary.



The Akers brothers may have had a grist mill on Rottenwood Creek before the Civil War; if not, their mill was in operation soon after. The Official Military Atlas of the Civil War shows two mills on this creek, both labeled Winship's Mill. In the late 1870s, they built a second mill for flour production, located just downstream from the grist mill, which only produced corn meal. They renamed the complex Banner Mills. Both mills were wood-framed buildings set on rock piers, built into the bank overlooking the creek. The Mills employed about 60 people and constructed housing in a small village south of the site. The mill closed in 1889; remains are protected within the Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area.


Approaching the Mill ruins along the bank of Rottenwood Creek.


The ruins had recently (early 2013) been cleared of under-growth...


The mill employed an uncommon stone mill race.


Mill race - facing the mill ruins.Inside view (left) and upper view (right).

American Whitewater

Before we leave today's post, let's explore the American Whitewater experience.Rottenwood only runs after heavy rains, and runs off quickly.  It can spike up and down over 1000 cfs in less than an hour.



River Description:

Welcome to some of the most polluted water in Georgia.



Rottenwood has some good whitewater; problem is that when the river is running the water is brown. Almost the color and consistency of a chocolate milk shake. In that water will be the run-off from a very large office park. After running Rottenwood expect your gear to smell like gasoline. Burning eyes and and skin irritation from the polluted water should be expected. Aside from that the river has some good rapids.



In the old days (pre 1997) the best way to see how the river was running was to take a look from the bridge over the creek at Akers Mill road. Akers Mill Rapid was directly downstream of the Bridge. Unfortunately with the road project we got a new bridge that covers the entire rapid. The construction changed the rapid somewhat, widening the channel and making the drop a little bit messier. The quick road side scout takes a little more work. The best place to look at the creek for a level check is now either the put-in or where Interstate North Parkway crosses the river.  As of 2007 the Park Service added creek from above Akers Mill Road down to the takeout.  The upstream end of the trail is where the USGS gauge is located. 

Confederate Life

Above Akers Mill is a nice ledge drop that resembles a low head dam at higher flows. Beware of the undercut left bank. This drop used to be called Confederate Life, named after the multi-story office building beside it. The building has since changed ownership, currently Ascent Insurance.


A double ledge drop. The left bank is undercut. At high flows this rapid creates a nasty river wide hole, backed up by a second large hole.  At higher flows it can be snuck down the right. 


At low flows you run down the meat on the left.

Windy Ridge Parkway Bridge Rapid


Nice little double ledge with a shallow play hole.

Akers Mill Rapid

After crossing under the I-285 interstate bridges the river turns to the right the back to the left. Scout Akers Mill Rapid on the left. The current is split by a large boulder. Beware or rebar in the approach to the rapid. The standard line is down the right. Continuous Class 3 water follow for the next quarter mile. There are two good play waves in this stretch.


Akers Mill rapid can get into the class 4 range with higher flows.



Ok A word of caution would be to watch out for the large (3 to 4 foot diameter) pipe toward the end of the run. At low flows water runs under the pipe, at flood water runs over the pipe. Last checked there was a lot of wood jammed on the upstream side of the pipe, and not much of an eddy above it. Most people carry around the pipe on river left.



Rottenwood has been run at some ridiculously high levels. Use your best judgement before putting on. If Rottenwood is rising you might find yourself running the rapids dodging mobile strainers, and other assorted trash. Rottenwood and Sope can usually be run back to back with some creative shuttle work.

Logistics:

The Put-in is just below the Health Club off Windy Hill Rd, on 1 North Parkway. There is a creek side parking area where Poplar Creek drops into Rottenwood Creek.



Use the park on the Hooch at Hwy 41 for a take out. Be current on your Hepatitis shots. If your gear is REALLY smelling like an oil spill, there is a car wash about a mile away on Spring Road in Smyrna.

Our GNW Gals today are posing with rotten wood.