Sope Creek Trail Re-Routes

Date: February 23, 2009

On February 24, 2009, Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area will begin work on limited re-routes of four sections of trails in the Cochran Shoals unit. The purpose of the work is to address erosion and trail deterioration along the re-routed segments by establishing modified trail routes that follow natural landscape contours. The work will only adjust limited sections of existing trails and will not open any trails to new uses. The work will be completed under a contract that also includes the creation of a trail master plan for the area. The plan will form the basis for long-term improvements to the entire trail system in the Cochran Shoals/Sope Creek area. Once a draft trail plan is created, it will be incorporated into an Environmental Assessment with opportunities for public review and comment in the latter part of 2009 and into 2010. The EA will address potential changes to the overall trail system, as well as uses that would be allowed on various trail sections. 

The initial layout and “rough cut” of the re-routes will be completed by the end of April. At this time, park staff do not anticipate any trail closures as work proceeds. Park volunteers, members of SORBA (Southern Off-Road Bicycle Association), and IMBA (International Mountain Bicycling Association) will work with park staff to perform the “finishing work” on the trail re-routes.  If you would like to volunteer to work on the finishing portion of the trail re-routes, please contact the park at 678-538-1280.