Bartram Trail observations 09/01/07

[seenvic]

1. A Hickory and an Oak - both of medium size are down in one pile about 1/4 mile from West Dam. Lots of branches.

2. Why do you think the trail is so wide close to West Dam? Is it people walking side by side for a short distance and then turning around? Doesn't look like 4-wheelers to me.

3. It looked like to me 4-wheelers have ridden a good bit of the trail. But it is not really torn up, just wide. While there are plenty of narrow spots that show no 4 wheeler evidence, it is obvious in other spots 4 wheelers have rolled thru there recently and fairly regularily. I only rode from West Dam to mile 5 and back - so I was a little surprised to see the 4-wheeler use as far from Petersburg as I did.

4. Nice trail to ride. It had one mud hole on it and it looked easy to fix. I thought it was in good shape.

[JIMMYC]

I caught some kids on the trail on 4-wheelers one time, maybe a 1 1/2, 2 years ago.
There are some vacation trailers, you can see them to the left through the trees coming from Petersburg, i'm not sure of the location, maybe between the dirt road and the gate at lake springs. But if i had to guess that's were the 4-wheelers came from that day. they may still be slipping on to the trail.

[michael]

i would like to no how to get to this trail from calhoun falls because there is alot of "talk" about it and i wanna ride an see how fun it is if any of yall have directions to it please let me no but send it in a private message!!

[JIMMYC]

Hwy 221 across dam into GA., take right into Petersburg camp ground (about 1 mile past dam)
parking lot on right before gate.
it's a fast ride, not technical.
look at the map on the bulletin board.

[babs4243]

Or you can Stop at the West Dam -first road on the right then turn left into the parking lot and ride from there to Petersburg and back. 6.5 to 7 miles in and out. It's a nice ride - nothing to difficult but fun!!

[azdrawdy]

Babs: Most of us that have frequented Bartram over the years prefer to not park in the West Dam parking lot. There was a rash of vehicle break-ins at that location several years ago. We rode up right after a couple of vehicles had been targeted and it was explained to us that the location, because it was right beside a main road, was ripe for a very quick break and enter.

Haven't heard of any issues the past year or so, but most of us started parking at the gravel parking lot just before you enter the Petersburg campground. A lot less people see your vehicle there, and those that do are more than likely either entering or leaving the campgrounds.

Michael

[JIMMYC]

we were turning around at west dam one time and the park ranger told us to keep parking at Petersburg because of break ins.

[brianW]

Thank you for the warning on the West Dam parking. Used that lot this past weekend. At times I have parked on the road (lot) that goes to Liberty Springs. The loops going that way are also fast, fun trails.

[brianW]

Rode yesterday (3/16/08) from Petersburg to the road going to Lake Springs, also the smaller (blue) loop. Two trees down that I could not move. First one close to the lake by the "Keg Creek" sign that would not be ridable for most. The second one is close to the older abandonded road. This one can is blocking the trail but can easily be bypassed. However this may lead to trail widening.

I cannot vouch for the trail conditions between West Dam and Lake Springs.