The Grand Canyon of Georgia…
I chuckled to myself when I read the sign. I had spent the last few days driving through fields of flat farmland, not a hill or valley in site, and I couldn’t figure out where a canyon would be in this ecosystem. There were no rivers to form it, and I was downright confused. Looking down at my navigation I realized that I was quite close and pushed the wonder from my mind, focusing on where I was supposed to go. Suddenly, I saw it; the red rock breaking off to white clay that is signature of my favorite canyons. My confusion only grew though, as I now needed to know how this scenic area of “natural” beauty got here.
To analyze this story, we should start by thinking about how amazingly far farming technology has come in the last few centuries. Back in the 1800s, soil management was not something rural famers gave much thought. Mostly, it was a cases of trial and error, seeing what can be grown and learning something new each season. Over time, this plowing left crevasses that were left unmanaged becoming deeper and wider as wind and rain run-off flowed through the path them. Over the years, these crevices grew to ravines and the ravines to the canyon that we enjoy today.
The Canyon is actually quite small in terms of canyons, but a beautiful hike it still is. The initial hike is a 2 mile loop that leads onto the canyon floor and the back up around the rim. Additional trails run deeper into the canyon itself (about 3 mi round trip to explore them all) and they really are the gem of the park. Seeing these massive rocks tower above you as small streams run by your feet brings a feeling of tranquility that is hard to describe. Initially, I had walked all around the rim, not realizing that I had to go off and adventure down these trails on my own to see inside the canyon. Not wanting to miss out, I hiked back down and spent a few hours exploring. The extra time was well worth it and really made the experience what it was.
Closest Supercharger Auburn AL 64 mi
1627 Opelika Road, 1627 Opelika Rd, Auburn, AL 36830
Providence Canyon State Park
8930 Canyon Rd, Lumpkin, GA 31815
