Providence Canyon - Backcountry Loop - Member Hike

Hike Name:	Providence Canyon - Backcountry Loop
Country:	United States
State:	Georgia
Nearby Town:	Lumpkin
Rating:
Directions:	Located 7 miles west of Lumpkin on Ga. Hwy. 39C.
Total Hike Distance:	7.00 miles
Hike Difficulty:	Moderate
Permit Required:	Yes
Hike Type:	Roundtrip, Loop Hike
Hike Starts/Ends:	Visitor's Center
Trails Used:	Canyon, Backcountry Trail
Backcountry Campsites:	Yes
Backcountry Water Sources:	Streams
Management:	State Park Service
Contact Information:	Providence Canyon State Park Route 1, Box 158 Lumpkin, GA 31815 Reservations (800) 864-7275 Park Office (229) 838--6202 http://gastateparks.org/info/providence/
Best Season:	Winter, Spring, Fall
Users:	Hikers
Road Conditions:	Primary Paved Roads, Secondary Paved Roads
Hike Summary:	The Providence Canyon area is known as "Georgia's Little Grand Canyon" due to its unique geological features. The soils are very soft and erosive due to the elevation and geologic location of the Park. The area was once an ancient seabed that was drastically effected by farming practices during the 1800's. Once trees and vegetation were removed, the soil and land eroded at an alarming rate. Ditches 3 to 5 feet deep were cut by the 1850's and eventually the erosion led to 16 canyons. Some are as deep as 150 feet and expose the colors of iron ore, manganese, kaolin, mica, and sandy clays.