There is now a new boardwalk which crosses Lake Alexander! Richard and I walked on the trail to see this before it was finished, these first two photos were taken at the end of July. This is a new trail that connects with a trail that we are familiar with, the Rockdale River Trail. After you cross this boardwalk, it goes up a steep hill and loops around with some beautiful granite plutons that are beneath the trees beside the trail. Then, the trail goes up and down (quite hilly!) and takes you to an old barn. The trail takes you right through the barn (which has been cleaned up and is now like a shelter) and it connects with the Rockdale River Trail. If you take a right, you will come back to Lake Alexander, take a left and you will walk to the South River. Eventually, the trail will be completed that will take you straight to Panola Mountain itself. (Or really to the trails there, remember you can only climb Panola Mountain at certain times and that must be with a guide, it has restricted access.)
The above photos were taken as it was being built, but now that August is here...the boardwalk is complete!
There, the new boardwalk! Isn't it pretty? This should be very popular with hikers and bikers. Can't wait to see this view with autumnal colors.
The sun is setting now, time to go home. Hope you liked the new trails and boardwalk at Panola Mountain, you can be sure you will see it again!
It looks good. It fits into the landscape nicely.
ReplyDeleteWe were happy to see this being built! And we we think we are going to enjoy it very much!
DeleteThanks Kay G. I added your bridge images and the post link to a related album on the Panola Mountain page at https://www.facebook.com/FriendsofPanola
Deleteyall please click and "like" the Park page too! Thanks
Jeff Nix
Oh yes, thanks, we saw you had the link on your Facebook page. My husband, Richard took these photos at the Panola Mountain trails, including the great one of the boardwalk with the reflection in the water! (Richard takes most of the photos that I show on this blog, he is just a great photographer, I think!)
DeleteLOVE the new boardwalk, LOVE it!
(We already "like" the Park page, I believe!)
Very nice!
DeleteWonderful! If only you weren't so far away - I can just picture us walking there together, enjoying the sunset and maybe the autumn colours!
ReplyDeleteDon't worry, you know it will feel as if you are walking with us with Richard's pictures!
DeleteBeautiful place..
ReplyDeleteYes! We love it!
DeleteFinished just in time for the autumn, when the temperatures will go down a bit. Beautiful!
ReplyDeleteYes! And the new trail goes through a lot of hardwoods, can't wait to see those colors!
DeleteYes, the curvy new boardwalk will look even more spectacular amidst the fall colours. And I like your new header pic too -- is that a yurt or is it the top of a bandshell or something?
ReplyDeletehttp://www.conyersrockdalelibrary.org/
DeleteHey Debra! My header photo was taken by Richard at the library here in Conyers, there is the link to it above!
That is the shelter in front of the library that has the book drop-off boxes, can't let anyone get wet!
Oddly enough, Panola Mountain will be getting yurts very soon, and that is very big news! You must be psychic!
Thanks for showing me Panola Mountain,Kay. I've never been there, have to put it on my list of places to visit. Love the boardwalk.
ReplyDeleteIt is a state park, so it costs $5.00 to park there for the day, unless you have a yearly pass, you know I do!!
DeleteIf you ever get the chance, make sure you go up to Cloudland Canyon, it is also a state park, it is very close to Chattanooga, but we get to claim it, it is in Georgia!!
This is so beautiful. I especially love the third photo of the bridge, the one where it is curving and we see the reflections just below. It has such a Japanese Garden feeling to it. This bridge is a real treasure.
ReplyDeleteWhen we saw it being built, I called it a bridge. I was told it was a boardwalk at the Panola Mountain Nature Center. Hey! Whatever you call it, I love it! And yes! Richard took these photos, but I also loved the reflections and asked him to take that photo for me!
DeleteWhat a beautiful boardwalk. And beautiful photos, all.
ReplyDeleteTessa~
Thanks, Tessa! And you might not know but my husband, Richard takes almost all the photos. I really didn't know how good he was with a camera until I started my blog!
DeleteVery beautiful post and pictures. I like these reflection very much. Also looks like a cool boulder there:-)
ReplyDeleteOh yes! You would love all the boulders, or plutons as Richard calls them! :-)
DeleteI can't wait to see pictures of the boardwalk with autumn colours either. Richard is going to be busy! x
ReplyDeleteHa! You are so right, I will keep Richard busy snapping away for my blog readers!!
DeleteThat boardwalk is beautiful. I can imagine it is going to be very popular. Folks like me who don't climb mountains could even enjoy that. You have a very pretty spot in the world to enjoy nature there.
ReplyDeleteIt is very pretty but like most places, people just don't appreciate what is in their own back yards! They need to look on the bright side, right? :-)
DeleteOh my gosh, YES! The board walk is gorgeous. I love the lovely, elegant curve. The scenery is just spectacular. What fun it would be to walk there and enjoy the fall colors.
ReplyDeleteI knew you would love it too, Kay! When we saw it first being built, from across the lake, we couldn't see the curve of the bridge, we were very pleased to see it as we walked on the trail (the trail climbs a high hill and you can look down and see the bridge).
DeleteStay tuned to this blog for colorful photos from this area!
Yes, the boardwalk is truly pretty! And the way you took its photo with the reflection on the waters is very creative too! :)
ReplyDeleteThanks so much!
DeleteI hope you saw my Sunflower Festival post from back in July!!
What a great day out that was!
ReplyDeleteGlad you enjoyed it, come back and walk with us anytime!
DeleteHi Kay
ReplyDeleteFirstly - thank you for your email - will reply shortly.
Secondly - beautiful pictures - makes me want to come back to Georgia. Go back and look at the picture with the rocks and trees growing around it - can you see the rock on the right hand side - it looks like a pre-historic monster.It even has an eye!! Or is it just me? x
Hey Pat!
DeleteYes! I think that it looks like the head of a snake and Richard thinks it looks like the head of a turtle! And you see a pre-historic monster! I wonder what anyone else sees?
Honestly, we do think alike!! xx
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ReplyDeleteThat boardwalk is so, so nice! You're right, that same photo will look AMAZING when the leaves start to turn!!! Hope your week is off to a good start!
ReplyDeleteHey Audrey!
DeleteI think we will enjoy this new trail and boardwalk, and when the leaves start to change, it is just so breathtaking around here, just as it is for you in North Carolina!
Your photos are BEAUTIFUL! Can you tell me if the photo - second one down from the headline of "Boardwalk at Alexander Lake" - is part of the trail in Rockdale County?
ReplyDeleteYour photos are BEAUTIFUL! Can you tell me if the photo - second one down from the headline of "Boardwalk at Alexander Lake" - is part of the trail in Rockdale County?
DeleteKaty Z.
Hello Katy Z.!
DeleteYes, the photos here are from Panola Mountain State Park and my husband took these photos when the boardwalk was newly built over Alexander Lake. And when I call it the Rockdale River Trail, that means Rockdale County!