The Creeks Trail System • Town Branch to Aboothlacoosta Loop to Lake Clark Loop • ~11 miles • ~1000ft elevation
Overview
If you liked the course I shared in My First Experience with Butts post, you’re going to love this one!.. mostly because it’s the exact same course, but with a small 2.2-ish mile loop hanging off of its hind-quarters.
The addition of the Lake Clark Loop adds another 200ish feet of climbing and some fun downhilly sections where you’ll be able to raise your pace a bit and feel like you’re really moving. It begins and ends at the bridge crossing Aboothlacoosta Creek, the only spot where water is available on this route.
It also passes the aptly named Lake Clark Trailhead. This is another parking area, complete with portapotty facilities, that provides access to the Lake Clark Loop to the north, and the gateway to the wonderful world of the Dauset Trails system to the south via the Sandy Creek Loop. More to come on this expansive web of trails later…
Specs
- Distance: 11 miles
- Elevation Gain: ~1000 ft. No major climbs – very mountain-bikey with rolling terrain
- Terrain Breakdown: 99.9% singletrack, 0.1% wooden bridge
- Difficulty: Easy. Roots and rocks will be your biggest challenge
- Ideal Gear: Nothing specific – trail shoes and maybe 500mL of hydration
Logistics & Resupply
- Parking/Start Point: Butts County Greenspace; park anywhere near the trailhead. (Alternatively, you can park at the Lake Clark Trailhead and start from the bottom of the route)
- Water & Fuel: Creek at ~3.5 miles; definitely need a filter.
- Cell Service: Good service at trailhead(s) and decent service throughout the route; can be spotty when tree cover is seasonally thick.
- Bathrooms: Portapotty at Butts County Greenspace trailhead and at Lark Clark Trailhead (mile 5.7).
Breakdown
- The Approach (Miles 0 – 2.4): Parking lot to the Aboothlacoosta Loop; there used to be a cool little 1-hop creek crossing here, but it was completely filled in sometime in 2025.
- Aboothlacoosta Loopin’ Round 1 (Miles 2.4 – 4.9): First half of the major loop on this route; mostly rolling. Water at the bridge before transitioning to the next section.
- Lake Clark Loop (Miles 4.9 – 7.1): The new section! A smaller loop with a few punchy climbs. It passes the Lake Clark Trailhead at around mile 5.7 (portapotty available) before circling back to the Aboothlacoosta Loop.
- Aboothlacoosta Loopin’ Round 2 (Miles 7.1 – 8.6): Second half of the major loop. Takes you back to the Town Branch trail and a short 2.5 miles from home (aka your vehicle).
- Back Home (Miles 8.6 – End): The same thing as the first section, just in reverse. You’re done!
GPX Route/File