Rock Hawk Trail

Before any trip I take I pull up the dark sky map: darksitefinder.com. This incredible tool is great in finding low light pollution areas nearby.However, when I don't feel like driving many hours away on dirt roads, this is a great alternative in the Southeast. Spend a night with professional and amateur astronomers at Deerlick Astronomy Village. Whether you are looking to image deep space obj...

Watson Mill State Park has many different things to offer. The main attraction is the Watson Mill covered bridge. It is the longest covered bridge in Georgia it was built in 1885. The bridge is still driveable today as long as you are in a smaller vehicle I did it in a minivan and had plenty of room. The Watson Mill bridge showcases the historic acheivement of the times and how people would hav...

Parking areas are on the opposite side of the road where the trailhead is located and the fee is $5. If paying for parking isn't in your agenda, there is a gas station down the road on the same side as the trailhead where free parking is occasionally available. The trail begins off High Falls road, indicated by a sign. At the beginning, the trail descends along several wooden stairs. There are...

Mistletoe State park encompasses 15 miles of hiking trails that lead both along Clarks Hill Lake and the river adjacent to it. Although not a necessarily strenuous hike, the 3.75-mile Cliatt Creek Nature Loop (white blaze) begins at the park’s nature center and features some amazing wildlife as it loops it way from the park entrance, to the creek, and back around the nature center with multiple...

Mistletoe State Park is located on the beautiful Clark’s Hill Lake created by the J. Strom Thurmond Dam. The park offers an array of hiking trails, but is most well-known for its numerous camping spots and bass fishing. The park offers a whopping total of 100 camping sites, 4 of which are backcountry campsites. The other 96 campsites offer 40ft lot that can easily house a large trailer, motorho...

The Cherokee Boat Ramp is easily my new favorite place for astrophotography in the Augusta area. If you drive around the boat ramp area for awhile, you'll notice plenty of spots to set up your camera and aim it down the beautiful Clarks Hill Lake. The ramp area creates a loop. Near the end of the loop you'll see multiple concrete pads leading down to the lake for boat entry. I like to set up my...