SUNSET ROCK
|
 |
| LOCATION:
West Central Georgia |
| HIKE
STARTS: Rocky Point Trailhead |
| HIKE ENDS:
Rocky Point Trailhead |
| TOTAL
DISTANCE: 11.4 Miles |
| HIKE TYPE:
Roundtrip, Loop Hike |
| HIKE
DIFFICULTY: Easy to Moderate |
| TRAILS
USED: Pine Mountain, Boottop |
| TRAIL
TRAFFIC: Moderate to Heavy |
| TRIP TYPE:
Day or Overnight Hike |
| MANAGEMENT:
FDR State Park |
HIGHLIGHTS: The Pine Mountain
Trail is a 23-mile footpath, which crosses and follows the Pine Mountain Ridge
in west central Georgia. The trail is inside Franklin Delano Roosevelt State
Park, close to Calloway Gardens, and popular with people from all over the
State. Much of the land once belonged to President Franklin D. Roosevelt, whose
farm was located near the present site of WJSP-TV. Today, volunteers from the
Pine Mountain Trail Association maintain the path which includes many points of
interest and very few steep inclines. The trail was first developed in 1975 and
now is used by over 50,000 hikers and backpackers each year.
Backcountry permits are required for all
campsites and no more than fifteen people are allowed to use them at any given
time. Sunset Rock is situated along a south-facing ridge between the Bethel
Creek and Whiskey Still campsites and has winter views to the southwest. Campers
often enjoy the view at dusk from a small outcropping near the trail. Dowdell
Knob has more sweeping views, but Sunset Rock also looks to the west and has
significantly more solitude and an overnight backcountry site (Whiskey Still)
only a short distance away.
