Nestled an hour west of Conyers, Georgia, this mammoth slab of exposed granite is one of only three monadnocks in the state — the others being Stone Mountain and Panola Mountain. Like its relatives, Arabia Mountain was previously used as a granite quarry until around 50 years ago. After receiving a generous donation of over 500 acres of land from the Davison family back in the 1970s, the preserve has expanded quite a few times now including two lakes and over 2,550 acres.
“The drop of rain maketh a hole in the stone, not by violence, but by oft falling.” – Hugh Latimer.
There is no permanent source of sustainable water on the mountain’s surface due to lack of soil and runoff, so the plants living here solely rely on rain. This bizarre ecosystem supports a wide variety of specialized plants and animals, including the endangered bright-red diamorpha plant that has adapted to life in the small pools that collect on the rock’s surface, so watch your step!
The two main buildings on site that intersect with the majority of the trails are the Information building with trail maps, events and flyers for local attractions and souvenirs and the AWARE wildlife center. Both are equipped with bathrooms and parking lots and are definitely worth looking into as they have a lot of neat information on the preserve. Which side you end up on depends on where you choose to park, but the main trail will take you to both lakes and the main mountain "peaks."
Once you’ve gathered your supplies and maps, start hiking! There are several trails to choose from, ranging from the bike-friendly boardwalk to the more adventurous scale up the mountain. Each trail is marked with a stripe of
color (orange, white, yellow, blue and cairn markings) and can be .8 miles to 1.8 miles depending on how long you’d like to hike for. All hikes are pet-friendly and relatively easy for solo hikers and families alike. Dress in appropriate clothing and footwear based on the season, wear sunscreen and drink plenty of water.
Keep your eye out for unusual shapes and patterns while you hike as this particular site is a hot spot for environmental artists. Similar to
Andy Goldsworthy, hikers will often use the scattered shards of smaller rocks that liter the terrain to create balanced sculptures, messages or designs across the mountain’s surface.
If you have not hiked here before, I would highly recommend it! Grab your shoes, and bring the whole family for a day in the sun. Maybe soak your feet in the clear pools, look for four-leaf clovers or hike to the top for a picnic. Be sure to stay for the sunset!
