Watson Mill Bridge State Park: Biking and Hiking Trail (Blog Hike #184)

Trail: Biking and Hiking Trail

Hike Location: Watson Mill Bridge State Park

Geographic Location: north of Lexington, GA (34.02807, -83.07390)

Length: 2.5 miles

Difficulty: 5/10 (Moderate)

Dates Hiked: September 2005, August 2008, April 2013

Overview: A moderate hike along the north hillside overlooking the South Fork River.

Park Information: https://gastateparks.org/WatsonMillBridge
Hike Route Map: https://www.mappedometer.com/?maproute=720094
Photo Highlight:

Directions to the trailhead: From Lexington, take SR 22 north 11 miles to Watson Mill Bridge Road and a brown sign for the park.  Turn right on Watson Mill Bridge Road.  From Comer, take SR 22 3 miles south to this same intersection and turn left.  Drive Watson Mill Bridge Rd. east 3 miles to the park entrance.  Cross the covered bridge slowly, and in another 0.1 miles turn left on a blacktop road leading to the parking area for the picnic area.  Park in the roadside parking lot on the right.  This trail begins across the road between the picnic shelter and the river.

The hike: For some general comments on Watson Mill Bridge State Park, see the South Fork Trail description.  Constructed in 2001, this is the newest hiking trail in the park.  Due to length and terrain, it is also the most challenging, but it will not pose a problem to people in average physical condition.  This trail provides an opportunity to explore the hills around the river and gives the best views of the cascades below the dam.

            Begin across the road at a small red metal sign that announces the beginning of the trail.  The trail has a rough beginning, heading slightly downhill over bare rock.  To your right is an excellent view of the rapids in the South Fork River framed by the dam and bridge upstream.  Continue to descend slightly to cross a small stream on a wooden footbridge and come to the beginning of the loop.  This description will hike the loop clockwise by starting on the left trail and returning on the right one.      

Watson Mill dam and bridge

         

Rapids in South Fork River

            Turning left, the trail begins climbing, gently along a stream at first before turning right away from the stream and tackling the brunt of the hillside.  0.5 miles into the hike, the trail levels off.  The climbing from here on out is less steep and occurs in shorter sections.  The reward for the climb is mature, second-growth upland hardwood forest.

            For the next 0.75 miles the trail winds through upland forest crossing the upper reaches of several tributaries.  At 1.25 miles, the trail curves right and descends rather steeply to the base of a small tributary to the river.  The trail parallels but never crosses the creek, rather choosing to ascend briefly back to the upland.    

Hiking and Bicycle Trail along river

            At 1.75 miles, the trail descends gently and curves left to begin heading west, back upstream.  A wooden overlook provides a bench, a welcome sight on a warm afternoon, but little in the way of a view as trees hide the river.  After crossing a pair of tributaries on wooden footbridges, the river finally comes into view on your left at 2.1 miles.  On the afternoon I walked this trail, a father was sitting on a rock beside the still waters fishing with his two sons.

            At 2.25 miles, the outbound trail descends from the right to close the loop.  A short walk across the footbridge and over the rocky banks, taking time for one last look at the river cascades, will return you to the park road to complete the hike.