KatherineBookA Hike In Respect To Our Veterans
The Significance Of Currahee Mountain
Why should you hike Currahee Mountain in Toccoa, Georgia? Currahee Mountain is a hike for the history. If you haven’t read or watched Band of Brothers, you should. A 10 part series honors the the 506th PIR and highlights their accomplishments. After completing training in Toccoa, Georgia, they went on to Normandy, Holland, Belgium, and Germany during World War II. While training at Camp Toccoa, they frequently had to run up and down Currahee Mountain. Three miles up, three miles down. Don’t expect a trail leading to the top….it’s a road. A road that those who fought for freedom went up and down. The view at the top is worth the trek, as is the knowledge that you are honoring these men. Also remember that as you climb the more challenging section towards the end of the road, you probably were not tricked into eating a huge meal of spaghetti before you started (read the book or watch the series!)!
A Growing Problem on Georgia Trails
Unfortunately, there are many who seem to either not know the significance of this place, or maybe they just don’t care. I was disappointed to find the top of the road littered with trash (broken beer bottles, other garbage, clothes) as well as graffiti on the rocks and trees. I have noticed an increase on litter found while hiking many of Georgia’s more accessible trails. Always practice the seven principles of leave no trace and pack it in, pack it out. Consider taking a small bag with you to pick up litter you find along your hike.
Visiting Currahee Mountain Is More Than A Hike
After completing 3 miles up, 3 miles down, go next door to Camp Toccoa and the Currahee Military Museum. One of the original buildings still stands here, as well as a C-47. The visitor center is a must do-full of photographs, articles, uniforms, and wonderful volunteers that will guide you (ours was a veteran).
Thank You To All Veterans
Visiting Camp Toccoa is free, but donations are accepted. The hike up the mountain road is also free. It is mostly a gradual hike that gets moderately hard the last mile. Enter Currahee Mountain Trail, Toccoa, Georgia into your GPS and it will take you right there. There is a parking lot at the start of the road with the Col Robert Sink Memorial Trail sign (pictured at the beginning of this post). Currahee means: We Stand Alone. To all Veterans: thank you for your service.
