Lake Charlotte Nature Preserve (North)

Went on my first scouting mission / walk of Lake Charlotte Nature Preserve in Southeast Atlanta.

Located near I-285 and Moreland Avenue, the preserve abuts the South River Gardens neighborhood, and is primarily composed of hickories, oaks, and beach trees. It is not a manicured park in the typical urban sense, but a 216 acre preserve of forest with the remnants of historic (and prehistoric) features scattered throughout. On-street parking may be challenging for low cars, and it’s best not to leave valuables in your vehicle.

The main trail is a broad gravel path, with official and unofficial spurs sporadically branching off into the undergrowth. Visitors who explore these will be rewarded with old stone walls, crumbling foundations, hearths and other hints of structures supposedly dating from the late 19th to mid 20th century.

Although the the site and surrounding area were subject to official and unofficial dumping in the past, enormous past and ongoing effort has been made to remediate it.

During my first visit, I explored much of the north end of the preserve, and had the place almost entirely to myself, and found many of the treasures above. It is my hope to return again soon, and explore more, including finding “Soapstone Ridge”, where Georgia State University documented native soapstone quarries and workshops dating back 5000 years.