Our Trails
Our Ground Rules
To qualify as an officially sanctioned Trailheads hike, we must have at least four Members. We trash talk whoever didn’t make it. Following our hike, we select a local barbecue joint and sample it. Then, bloated with smoked meats and sides, we disband until our next Trailheads adventure. Here are details of some of the ground we’ve covered so far. Enjoy.
7.14.2021
TRAILHEADS: GT, SF, PS, RT
Bowman's Island
Distance: 4 miles
Elevation Gain: 190 ft
Moving Time: 1:55:01
Barbecue: Socks Loves BBQ
Rated: 4 Ribs (our rating system)
Notes: Here’s a nice hike up where the Chattahoochee begins snaking south. A sign announced a closed trail, which is an invitation to TrailHeads to journey onward. We climbed over a closed bridge, Roy swore he almost lost his life in quicksand, and Steve wrassled a big bear while Patrick grappled a mountain lion. Our reward was discovering a terrific place with a funny name, Socks Love Barbecue. Read our review and lick your chops.
7.8.2021
TRAILHEADS: GT, GH, PS
Powers Island
Distance: 4 miles
Elevation Gain: 423 ft
Moving Time: 1:49:28
Barbecue: Heirloom
Rated: 4 Ribs (our rating system)
Notes: Only three Trailheads ventured on this one, so it’s not official. It was a nice trail––just keep your eye out for tree roots looking to trip you. Why must trees be so cruel? Our reward for being intrepid hikers was Heirloom. It's mighty fine barbecue as evidenced by the many times we've returned.
7.1.2021
TRAILHEADS: GT, BC, SF, GH, PS, RT
Settles Bridge
Distance: ...
Elevation Gain: ...
Moving Time: ...
Barbecue: Dreamland
Rated: 4 Ribs (our rating system)
Notes: The survivors of Chigger Holler were not daunted as we hiked a beautiful trail with a lush canopy. We sprayed insect repellants before we began. Some used all-natural products, while Patrick blasted his pale skin with Cutter (containing 25% DEET). Afterward, we went south to Dreamland in Duluth and some of our best barbecues yet, made even tastier by a server dumping a drink on Roy.
6.22.2021
TRAILHEADS: GT, BC, SF, PS
Medlock Bridge
Distance: 4 miles
Elevation Gain: 279 ft
Moving Time: 2:02:43
Barbecue: Cue Barbecue
Rated: 4 Ribs (our rating system)
Notes: Steve was a wounded warrior hiking with his many chigger bites. Brad did his best to contain Elvis’ excitement. And Fio obediently followed Guy as he led his hikers to view the Medlock Bridge overpass of 141 Peachtree Parkway. It’s not exactly a postcard sight. We made a beeline to Cue Barbecue and feasted on smoked meats, fine fixings, and toe-curling good cobbler. Our server was excellent, and we tipped a hefty 4%. We kid, we kid. Trailheads always tip well.
6.10.2021
TRAILHEADS: GT, BC, SF, RT+ JG
West Palisades
Distance: 5 miles
Elevation Gain: 722 ft
Moving Time: 2:32:52
Barbecue: Heirloom
Rated: 4 Ribs (our rating system)
Notes: The hike that became infamous as sadistic Guy led his people to the promised land with a detour through Chigger Holler. The poor souls following this madman were a walking buffet line for ravenous chiggers. The victims wore their wounds for weeks. Roy performed some gymnastics hoopla on a slippery rock to avoid landing on his head. Five went out. Amazingly, all survived to enjoy Heirloom barbecue.
6.3.2021
TRAILHEADS: GT, GH, SF, RT
Vickery Creek
Distance: 4 miles
Elevation Gain: 390 ft
Moving Time: 1:59:26
Barbecue: Souper Jenny’s
Rated: 4 Ribs (our rating system)
Notes: It looks like a beautiful hike, but since this reviewer wasn’t there, it never happened. While Souper Jenny’s is always delicious, unless Jenny is now serving bowls of barbecue, well, one has to wonder what these Trailheads were thinking. A hike with no barbecue? Sacrilege!
5.27.2021
TRAILHEADS: GT, BC, GH, PS
Sweet Water Creek
Distance: 5 miles
Elevation Gain: 518 ft
Moving Time: 2:19:53
Barbecue: Anna’s BBQ
Rated: 4 Ribs (our rating system)
Notes: S.C. is a sweet trail in Lithia Springs with some pretty views of white water. When we finished, we made a beeline to Anna’s BBQ with high expectations, having heard good things. Anna’s is next to a funeral home which adds to the unique atmosphere. There was a viewing inside the home as we sampled Anna’s outside. The ordering system was cumbersome, and the barbecue was unremarkable--but all good.
5.20.2021
TRAILHEADS: GT, BC, SF, PS, RT
Jones Bridge
Distance: 5 miles
Elevation Gain: 269 ft
Moving Time: 2:21:03
Barbecue: Moe's Original BBQ
Rated: 4 Ribs (our rating system)
Notes: A short hike that’s close to Patrick’s house. The trail wasn’t too long, but Guy found a way to make it a worthwhile walk. After Trailheads hiked, we sampled a new smokehouse joint in Peachtree Corners, called Moes Original BBQ (part of a chain). Delicious smoked meats earned high marks from all.
5.7.2021
TRAILHEADS: GT, PS, GH, BC
Gold Branch
Distance: 3 miles
Elevation Gain: 381 ft
Moving Time: 1:28:30
Barbecue: Sam’s BBQ
Rated: 4 Ribs (our rating system)
Notes: A nice hike highlighted by a spirited debate between Elvis and Fio on the existential threat posed by devious squirrels. TrailHeads looked on in amazement at the canine hullabaloo. We finished hiking like the pros we are (left, right, left, right, left, right, and so on), and skedaddled to Sam’s BBQ in a strip center. We ate like hungry hikers and all thought Sam was on his game.
4.28.2021
TRAILHEADS: GT, PS, GH, RT, SF, BC+Fam
Paper Mill
Distance: 4 miles
Elevation Gain: 413 ft
Moving Time: 1:59:45
Barbecue: Heirloom
Rated: 4 Ribs (our rating system)
Notes: Another history hike, this time with Brad’s family (a wonderful crew), to see the remains of where the Confederacy printed its currency on the banks of the Chattahoochee River. We didn’t find any spare dough lying around. Afterward, we hightailed it to Heirloom for some Korean barbecue love. Just so you know, Heirloom does not accept Confederate money.
4.21.2021
TRAILHEADS: GT, BC, PS, RT, GH
Poker Night
Notes: We enjoyed seven-card stud, pizza, bourbon, malbec, beer, and munchies inside Brad’s beautiful treehouse. George brought his set of poker chips, at 13.5 grams each, every bet carried authority with its heft. Patrick was the big winner. He bought a mansion in Malibu and hasn’t won since.
4.17.2021
TRAILHEADS: BC, GT, PS, GH
Emory Hike
Distance: 5.5 miles
Elevation Gain: 407 ft
Moving Time: 1:51:59
Barbecue: Community Q BBQ
Rated: 4 Ribs (our rating system)
Notes: Our journey began at George’s house, and we walked through neighborhoods and into the woods and on to the Emory campus, where students wondered, “Who the hell are those guys?” We plunged back into the beautiful, wooded areas feeling much smarter. Our reward for this walk was Community Q BBQ. It's good stuff, but there was no indoor eating because of the pandemic. Curse you, COVID!
4.1.2021
TRAILHEADS: ...
Kennesaw Mtn
Distance: 5 miles
Elevation Gain: 666 ft
Moving Time: 2:31:01
Barbecue: Dave Poe’s BBQ
Rated: 4 Ribs (our rating system)
Notes: A historic hike as we scaled this famous Civil War battle site. There are still a couple of canons parked up yonder. We enjoyed incredible views of Atlanta and the North Georgia mountains, and Guy led his Trailheads troops onward to hike “Little” Kennesaw Mountain. We were plum tuckered out from our mountainous march, but soldiered on to Dave Poe’s BBQ for some good grub. We'd earned it.
3.25.2021
TRAILHEADS: GT, BC, GH, PS, RT
Cave Springs Hike
Distance: 4 miles
Elevation Gain: 151 ft
Moving Time: 38:50
Barbecue: Local Joe’s
Rated: 4 Ribs (our rating system)
Notes: We trekked into the north Georgia mountains to visit an advertising pal. Then we hiked along the infamous Trail of Tears, the exit ramp where settlers forced the Cherokees off their land. There was thunder in the distance, and soon a downpour. We ran for our cars like cowards afraid of nature's wrath. Trailheads went into town and sampled the local barbecue. The conscientious “Meh." Feeling shards of guilt, we agreed there are no bad barbecues and life is good. We enjoyed a nice day in the north country.
3.13.2021
TRAILHEADS: GT, BC, GH, PS, SF
Panola Mtn
Distance: 5 miles
Elevation Gain: 446 ft
Moving Time: 2:11:59
Barbecue: Some Barbecue Joint
Rated: 4 Ribs (our rating system)
Notes: This one was a hike that took a hike to get to. The trail was nice with some sweet views, and George brought his “throwing knives” (remind me not to get George angry). We tried throwing the blades to stick into a tree trunk. Amazingly, no one lost a finger or put an eye out. We rewarded ourselves at some nondescript barbecue joint in a strip center. The fare was unremarkable, and thus, not remembered.
2.25.2021
TRAILHEADS: GT, BC, GH, PS, RT, SF
East Palisades
Distance: 6 miles
Elevation Gain: 663 ft
Moving Time: 3:04:00
Barbecue: Heirloom
Rated: 4 Ribs (our rating system)
Notes: A beautiful hike along the Hootch, with a journey deep into the bamboo forest. We saw Cyber Ninjas in the bamboo searching for 2020 presidential ballots. Trailheads finished our hike gobbling Heirloom Market BBQ, southern smoked meats with a Korean flair. It's a killer combo and we’re big fans.
2.4.2021
TRAILHEADS: GT, BC, PS, GH
Cochran Shoals
Distance: 6 miles
Elevation Gain: 381 ft
Moving Time: 2:22:47
Barbecue: Heirloom
Rated: 4 Ribs (our rating system)
Notes: A seminal hike. Four TrailHeads, so it’s an official hike. Guy introduced a revolutionary, radical new hiking technique he had been working on for months: left foot leads, right foot leads, left, right, left, right, left, right, repeat until the hike is done. Brilliant! With that kind of inspiring and innovative hiking system, we all agreed we'd follow Guy anywhere. Then we followed him to Heirloom.
10.10.2020
TRAILHEADS: GT, BC, GH
Big Island
Distance: 7 miles
Elevation Gain: 574 ft
Moving Time: 2:55:42
Barbecue: Gus’s Chicken
Rated: 4 Ribs (our rating system)
Notes: Only three hikers, thus not an officially sanctioned Trailheads excursion. It's like a tree falling in the forest on Helen Keller. After their "hike," these guys headed to Gus's Chicken. Those who have eaten Gus’s bird are envious. It's great. But for the record, Gus doesn’t do barbecue, so this walk was a complete fraud on all counts. Let's forget the thing ever happened.