Backcountry Trail

Sandy Springs is a suburban city located just north of Atlanta in Fulton County, Georgia, and is one of the most significant residential and business hubs in the metro area. With a population exceeding 100,000 residents, it ranks as Georgia’s seventh most populous city and continues to grow as part of the greater Atlanta metropolitan region. Despite its modern skyline, corporate headquarters, and dense transportation corridors, the area has a long and layered history that predates European settlement by centuries. Archaeological evidence and oral history suggest that human activity in the region dates back to around 400 AD, when Native American communities established travel routes through the area to take advantage of its reliable freshwater springs. These springs not only provided drinking water but also served as important gathering points along early trade and migration paths. By the 16th century, the Creek (Muscogee) people had established a strong presence in the region, living in villages, farming the fertile land, and maintaining a deep cultural and spiritual connection to the waterways and forests. This way of life continued until the early 1800s, when the discovery of gold in north Georgia and subsequent forced removal policies led to the displacement of the Creek people during the broader era of Native American removal.

Within this modern urban landscape lies the Big Trees Forest Preserve, a remarkable example of protected green space embedded directly within a dense suburban environment. The preserve conserves a rare remnant of mature hardwood forest characterized by rolling hills, shaded hollows, and two small creek systems, including Powers Branch. One of its most distinctive features is the presence of impressive white oak trees estimated to be between 100 and 200 years old, standing as living witnesses to the region’s pre-development landscape. Managed as both a conservation area and outdoor classroom, the preserve emphasizes forest education, ecological awareness, and low-impact recreation. A network of approximately 1.5 miles of mulched trails allows visitors to explore the interior of the forest while minimizing erosion and habitat disturbance. This hike follows nearly the entire trail system in a clockwise direction, descending first toward Powers Branch before climbing a wooded ridge and then dropping again to follow the stream corridor. From there, the route ascends once more to reconnect with the Big Trees Loop Trail, completing a varied and surprisingly immersive forest walk. Although the preserve is surrounded on all sides by apartment complexes, Roswell Road, and nearby municipal buildings, the interior of the forest feels remarkably isolated. Even in winter, when the trees are bare and visibility is highest, the canopy and rolling terrain help preserve a sense of quiet seclusion, making it one of the most unexpectedly peaceful natural spaces in Sandy Springs.