Southeast Clarke Park in Athens, GA (Blog Hike #265)

Trails: (2 unnamed trails)

Hike Location: Southeast Clarke Park

Geographic Location: east side of Athens, GA (33.92810, -83.31077)

Length: 1.1 mile

Difficulty: 1/10 (Easy)

Dates Hiked: April 2009, August 2012

Overview: A pair of very short, very easy, but very different nature trails.

Park Information: https://www.accgov.com/southeast
Hike Route Map: https://www.mappedometer.com/?maproute=941379
Photo Highlight:

Directions to the trailhead: On the east side of Athens, take the Athens Perimeter Road to US 78 (exit 8).  Go east on US 78.  Take US 78 east 2.75 miles to Whit Davis Rd.  There is a traffic light at this intersection and a Super WalMart on the left.  Turn right on Whit Davis Rd.  Take Whit Davis Rd. south 0.3 miles to the park entrance on the left.  Park in either of the large parking lots.

The hike: Located on only 124 acres in heavily residential eastern Athens-Clarke County, the newest county park in Athens-Clarke County would hardly be considered a hiking destination in anyone’s book.  Yet those willing to tolerate the noise and crowds will find a rare sight in Georgia: a tallgrass prairie planting.  In fact, this is the largest tallgrass prairie I am aware of in north Georgia.

            Southeast Clarke Park is probably most famous for its skateboard park, which is located at the end of one of these trails.  The park also includes several athletic fields, a large playground, and an off-leash dog area.  Since the park is surrounded by houses and major roads, these facilities receive plenty of use, especially in the summer.  Plan a weekday early afternoon or morning visit to avoid the worst of the crowds.

Bulldog statue near parking lot

            There are a couple of places from which you could start, but I suggest you start by picking up the gravel trail heading into the forest; it leaves from the left (north) parking lot near “Wiggly Park,” the off-leash dog area.  Just after entering the forest, the dirt trail that leads to the prairie exits right.  You will use this trail later, but stay on the gravel trail for now.

The trail curves sharply as it meanders downhill; on a steeper hill these curves would be called switchbacks.  The hardwood forest is rather young with some medium-sized maple trees and a dense understory of honeysuckle and the invasive Chinese privet.  At 0.1 miles, cross a wide wooden bridge with metal support over a small stream.

Trail through forest

            The gravel trail continues to climb gradually, and at 0.2 miles it leaves the forest as it reaches the other developed area in the park.  This area, accessed by a parking lot off of US 78, contains the athletic fields and the skatepark.  There is no loop option, so you will have to turn around and retrace your steps back to the dirt trail you passed earlier.  Take a sharp left to head for the prairie.

            Ignore a side trail that exits right to the playground and remain in the cooler forest.  This trail was built by students from nearby Whit Davis Elementary School, so take some time to enjoy their effort.  At 0.65 miles, the trail leaves the forest and immediately crosses a two-track dirt access road.  The road traces the perimeter of the prairie and could be used to lengthen this hike, but due to the park’s urban location, better scenery will be had by continuing straight on the mown grass trail, which goes through the center of the prairie.

Tall grass prairie

            From a distance the prairie looks like a monolithic sea (or at least large lake) of grass, but closer inspection reveals a lot of diversity.  Plan a visit during the summer months to see maximum color from wildflowers and butterflies.  Even on a hot day, don’t just gallop through the prairie: take some time to find and examine the unusual plants that call this area home.

            The mown-grass trail takes you through the center of the prairie, allowing the best views of the flora community.  Where the trail splits, take the right fork, which soon begins heading back toward the parking lot.  At 0.9 miles, the trail exits the prairie behind the playground.  Walk to the left of the playground to return to the parking lot and complete the hike.