Pine Mountain is an unusual ridge that stands above the landscape in West Central Georgia reaching nearly from the Chattahoochee to the Flint River. It’s located near the town of Warm Springs, which was the cherished healthful, get-away of President Franklin Delano Roosevelt. It has been suggested that FDR’s depression-era concept of the New Deal may have been born from his contemplative moments overlooking the landscape from Dowdell’s Knob, where we’ll hike the loop ridge trail. 

The geology of Pine Mountain is unusual because it’s something of a marooned landform, not a part of the Appalachians. The landscape hosts odd mixes of classic mountain species as well as species comfortable in the coastal plain. Trails follow dry sunny ridges to lush wetland creeks. The complex underlying geology helps support niche ecosystems, in addition to creating the warm upwellings of mineral-rich ground water that attracted so many to the warm springs for healing.

The rare Georgia Oak, which turns a brilliant red in the fall, can be found here in abundance, also Blackjack Oak, Sand Hickory, Alabama Cherry, Long Leaf Pine, and even American Chestnut can be seen along the trail. 

We’ll hike along a section of the Pine Mountain Trail, and we’ll visit Dowdell’s Knob, which has a sweeping view of the southwestern landscape as it rolls into Alabama. This was one of FDR’s favorite places to sit and reflect, where a bronze statue in his honor has recently been installed.

The full loop trail is about 4.4 miles, however a short cut about half-way creates a shorter 2.5 walk option. The trail is rated a moderate hike, rocky in places, and there are a number of hills. We’ll stop for snacks and a picnic lunch. 

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Photos: Ridge-top forest at Pine Mtn,  and FDR bronze statue at Dowdell’s Knob by Kathryn Kolb