Big Trees Forest Preserve - Backcountry Trail - Member Hike

Hike Name:	Big Trees Forest Preserve - Backcountry Trail
Country:	United States
State:	Georgia
Nearby Town:	Sandy Springs
Rating:
Directions:	From I-285 go NORTH on GA-400 1 1/2 miles to exit 5B (Sandy Springs Exit). - Go west 1.3 miles on Abernathy Rd. to Roswell Rd. - Turn right onto Roswell Rd. and go north 2.1 miles. The Forest is on the right next to the North Fulton County Government Service Center Building (beige, two story building). Park in the south parking lot. Entrance to the Forest is on a paved, wheel chair accessible walkway next to the Big Trees Forest Preserve sign on the south end of the parking lot.
Total Hike Distance:	1.20 miles
Hike Difficulty:	Easy to Moderate
Permit Required:	No
Hike Type:	Roundtrip, Loop Hike
Hike Starts/Ends:	N. Fulton County Government Service Center
Trails Used:	Backcountry, Entrance Connector, Powers Branch, Spring Hallow, Backcountry Connector, Big Trees Trails
Backcountry Campsites:	No
Backcountry Water Sources:	Streams
Management:	City Park Service
Contact Information:	Big Trees Forest Preserve 7645 Roswell Road Sandy Springs, GA 30350 tel 770-673-0111 fax 770-673-0134
Best Season:	Winter, Spring, Fall
Users:	Hikers, Dogs
Road Conditions:	Primary Paved Roads
Hike Summary:	The Big Trees Forest Preserve is a remarkable urban forest with hilly topography featuring two creeks and a diverse middle growth forest including specimen white oak trees between 100 and 200 years old. It is designed and managed as a forest education center offering passive recreation walks along 1 1/2 miles of wood mulched walking trails. This hike incoporates just about every trail in the park and follows the trail system in a clockwise direction down to Powers Branch, up to a ridge, then back down to the stream before climbing back up to the Big Trees Loop Trail. Although sandwiched between two apartment complexes, Roswell Rd. and a government building, the trail is surprisingly secluded - even during the winter months when no leaves cling to the trees.