Sometimes I wake up really early on weekends because I'm used to waking up early during the week for work. Most of the time, if this happens, I get up and run errands or do chores before the rest of the world wakes up. But, sometimes I say screw it and go do fun things. Especially if the forecast is sunny with a high of 70! Recently I had such good fortune so I decided to go off hiking somewhere. James is not a fan of waking up early, so I went without him. Initially I planned to go to Sawnee Mountain but once I started driving, I kept going up Hwy 9 and into Dawson County. It was an absolutely beautiful day and the countryside looked so pretty. I eventually decided to go to the Dawson Forest WMA at Amicalola Creek, since I hadn't been there in a while. 
Amicalola Creek is also known as the "Edge of the World" due to the rapids along the river. It can get pretty crowded with people swimming and hanging out on warm days, but when I arrived around 8:30 am, there was only one lone fisherman there. It was perfectly quiet and peaceful. There were tons of wildflowers growing along the river and the abundance of fir trees in the area gives off a wonderful scent (it also gives the area a flair of the Pacific Northwest, in my mind).
On the surface, this part of the WMA seems pretty basic. There is a short boardwalk leading to a viewing platform and a little beyond that you can walk off the boardwalk into the woods closer to the water. Most people go there to fish or hang out on the rocks in the water. It doesn't really seem like a hiking spot. More of a drinking spot (oh wait, that's against the rules so why am I seeing so many beer cans...?). 
BUT, off of the boardwalk, there is a trail marked with blue blazes leading off into the woods. I'd never really noticed this trail before, so I decided to follow it. It is a very nice, narrow but clearly defined path, and it has different signs highlighting local wildlife and vegetation. On maps, this trail is labeled the "interpretive trail". It winds nicely through the woods with some inclines but nothing too crazy. 
Eventually I reached a point where the trail hits a gravel road. I knew this was a forest service road near a dove hunting area but wasn't entirely sure where it went, other than out to Hwy 53. I turned around and followed the trail back to where I started along the boardwalk. It was a good workout, especially since I was in a hurry to get home and watch the Atlanta United game! Upon closer inspection of a more detailed map, it looks like the gravel road connects back to the blue forest trail after a short distance and then the blue trail forms a loop back to the Amicalola Creek boardwalk. I will definitely return to do the blue trail again. It would be great for the dogs to do this trail and get a little worn out before going to the river (so hopefully they'd chill a little and not act like fools- hopefully!).
One other thing to note about all of the Dawson Forest areas- you do need a hunting or fishing license to lawfully access them. I have a fishing license because it seems to be the least expensive option.
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