Join us this month for a new hiking adventure! We’ll be exploring Tumbling Creek Woods for the first time—a gorgeous 77-acre upland forest featuring a unique beaver-created wetland fed by Tumbling Creek. This beautiful natural area is accessed through the campus of Northeast Georgia University Oakwood, offering us an exciting opportunity to discover a special local gem together. **If you are new to Echo, we can’t wait to meet you. This is a perfect way to get outside and enjoy meeting new people. We will do a brief meet & greet before the hike so you will be sure to meet some other people from your part of town.** This will be an easy hike with a difficulty level of D-2 with a distance of 2.5 miles For your sake and the sake of the group, please do not assume beyond your ability. Hiking Rating Scale:D-2 Hike Difficulty D1 Easy (beginner hikers) mostly flat D2 Easy to moderate (regular hikers) some hills D3 Moderate (a cardio workout) mountainous D4 Moderate to strenuous (challenging workout) Steep grades/agility D5 Strenuous (serious physical challenge) Very steep and far DATE: October 3rd 2026 TIME: 10am – 12pm ADDRESS: 2640 Facilities Drive, Oakwood (on the campus of the University of North Georgia – Gainesville Campus). You are looking for the parking lot right next to the building of the Department of Public Safety. It’s on the right-hand side. (CALL THE NUMBER BELOW IF LOST). **PLEASE NOTE: DO NOT TYPE IN TUMBLING CREEK PRESERVE** LUNCH AFTERWARDS: Taco Madre Mexican Grill – 3885 Mundy Mill Road Oakwood, GA 30566 WHAT TO BRING: rain poncho (just in case), camera, water Optional Things to bring: Hiking Poles No children or animals please. KEEP IN MIND: There are always dangerous and unforeseen elements when out in nature: Cliffs, water hazards, weather, animals, insects, reptiles, falling limbs or rocks, Poison Ivy, Oak, Sumac, etc. Trails may be un-maintained, slippery, rocky, icy and have steep embankments. Shoes and clothing may get muddy or wet. The woods are your bathroom. WAIVER: By attending, each person assumes all responsibility and liability for themselves and their actions and hereby releases Echo Ministries, its employees, directors, officers, agents, and volunteers from any and all liability resulting from any loss, injury, illness, damages, or death, while attending, participating or volunteering in this event. Make sure that anyone you invite receives this information and understands and agrees to all aspects of it, otherwise you’re responsible for them. MORE INFO: Contact Trip Leader: George Graves gravesfam@windstream.net or cell 678-549-7767 if you have any questions about this event.