Happy Holidays and a Happy New Year from BigCreekGreenway.com

There hasn’t been much news on the Greenway this fall.  The connecting of the two trails is still in planning, and the extensions for both Forsyth and Alpharetta are still underway.  Other than that, a few new signs lining the trail in Forsyth County and the occasional flood are about the only things going on.

After a long, cold fall, I know I’m ready to get back outside and work off some of that extra food from the holidays.  It is still cold outside, but the Greenway will still be open, so put on your jackets, gloves and hats and get outside and enjoy some fresh air.

Wishing everyone a Happy Holiday and Happy New Year!

Check out the post in the Community section for more details.

The inaugural Forsyth Big Creek Greenway Run. This is a level fast course. You will be chip timed on this certified course. Use this for your 2011 Peachtree qualifier. Run this race to benefit Abba House a recovery ministry for women with children. – From Active.com

The beginning of the Big Creek Greenway Forsyth at McFarland Parkway.

This weekend I changed my normal walking of the Greenway and dusted off my bike. Being on wheels allowed me to get further on the Forsyth Big Creek Greenway than I have been before, and I decided to continue on past Highway 9 heading towards McFarland Parkway and see how far I could get before the trail was not completed. To my surprise the paving and boardwalks are complete all the way down to McFarland Parkway, event though that phase of the greenway has not opened yet. Even more surprising were the number of people using this part of the trail. [photos of phase 1]

Since phase 1 is not officially open, it is not as maintained as phase 2 and 3 on the trail.  Debris remains on the trail from the recent flooding, and sides of the boardwalks do not have grass yet like the completed portions.  In addition, the crosswalks over Union Hill and Highway 9 are not completed yet.  It looks like there will be a light for crossing at Highway 9, and just a simple crosswalk at Union Hill.  Use caution when crossing the road, as commuters are not used to having pedestrian crossings yet.

With all that is not complete on the new phase of the trail, a majority is actually finished off.  Rest stations are easily found, 2 every half mile.  Fences are up near GA 400 to keep you from wandering onto the highway.  The boardwalks are stained, and parking areas exist at Union Hill and McFarland.

A hornets nest on the left side of the trail (heading North) about 15 feet in the air. It looked around 2 feet tall.

As for scenery, this trail offers more of the same from the rest of the Forsyth Greenway.  You can see Big Creek River a bit more often, and a few more bridges cross the river.  There is one entrance to the trail from an unfinished neighborhood near Union Hill.  I didn’t see much in the ways of wildlife beyond squirrels, birds, and a large hornets nest.

I enjoyed my ride through phase 1, adding an additional 8 miles (round trip) onto the length of the trail.  The area directly north of McFarland Parkway was very familiar to me, as my old neighbor and I used to go 4 wheeling back in the area after rain storms to pull out trucks stuck in the mud.  The trail follows the same utility roads we used to ride on.  Phase 1 between McFarland and Highway 9 will be a great addition once opened, making the trail more usable for those looking for a nice long bike ride.  The entire distance can be done on bike in about an hour and a half going at a leisurely pace.  That is how long it took me stopping to take pictures.  Enjoy this section, though I do recommend waiting until it opens officially this Fall.

• Photos of Forsyth Big Creek Greenway Phase 1 Between McFarland Parkway and Highway 9

Brilliant Fall Colors (Photo by barnabywasson on Flickr)

Fall is my favorite season in Georgia.  The weather is a great relief from the hot, humid Georgia summers.  The low humidity, abundant sunshine, and moderate temperatures make it the perfect time of the year for outdoor activities.  Throw in the brilliant colors as the leaves change and begin to fall, and there is no reason not to be outside.

The Big Creek Greenway is a great way to spend that time.  Unlike a lot of forests in Georgia that have been previously logged, the greenway boasts a large population of hard wood trees.  This makes the colors along it that much more spectacular.  Though most of the leaves have now fallen off of the trees along the Greenway, the Alpharetta portion is still a great walk with some amazing views.  With a majority of trees bare, you get unobstructed views of the remaining leaves.

This is also the time of the year where Big Creek River becomes more visible from the trail.  Watch for fish, squirrels, ducks, geese, and especially deer.  Without the leaves as cover the deer are easily visible and in abundance.  One of my personal favorite spots to look for deer is near the parking lot at Ethan Allen on North Point Parkway.  There is a field behind Ethan Allen that I have spotted dozens of deer in over the years.  If you’re really lucky, you may even spot a wild turkey or two.  They have been spotted in the area before, but I have never been lucky enough to see them on the trail.

So don’t miss out in these last days of fall colors before winter begins to settle in.  While it may be too late to see the trees on the Forsyth portion of the Greenway, the Alpharetta portion is still vibrant.  Get out and take a stroll on the greenway.  Relax and enjoy the weather, scenery, and wildlife.