52 Hike Challenge: Hike #1- Sweetwater Preserve

Ellison and I completed our first hike of the 52 Hike Challenge and we declare ourselves off to a good start. Sweetwater Preserve was a new trail for us and, while short, offered creek views and the possibility of alligators (that ranks high in our book). There are two entrances to this preserve - east and west. I pass the western trailhead every day on my way to work and without fail, promise myself that I will go back on the weekend to check it out. After too many years to count, this Sunday I finally made good on my promise.

While we really wanted to get out and enjoy some finally cool weather, there wasn't have time for an all-day hike. Sweetwater Preserve is perfect when you're short on time because it's only around 2 miles - regardless of which trailhead you use (East is 2 miles, West is 1.75). The west trail (the one we hiked) is without a doubt the most efficient use of wilderness space I have ever seen. It is a small patch of woods that through very careful consideration of trail layout, feels much larger. The winding and zigzaging make great use of space and draw the mountain bikers, which Ellison and I are decidely not. We enjoyed it nonetheless. As did Waylon. 

There was one thing that detracted from our enjoyment, however. The trash along the banks of Sweetwater Branch creek. It wasn't just one or two plastic bags or a haphazardly discarded beer bottle. It was a bag clinging to every tree and bottles piling up along the banks. I had heard that the water itself was considered heavily polluted due to waste from the city street sewers flowing into it (which is bad enough!), but I wasn't expecting so much litter. In retrospect, I wish I had taken a picture of it to post here, but I didn't think of it at the time. Oh well. Take our word for it, it was dirty. Ellison and I decided that we would come back soon with trash bags and collect as much of it as we can in an effort to clean it up. Maybe it won't stop the pollution problem entirely, but it can't hurt, either. Plus, we're hoping we just caught it on a particularly polluted day and that litter-strewn banks are more of the exception at Sweetwater Preserve and not the norm. It would be such a shame because this little piece of woods serves as a wildlife corridor along Paynes Prairie. 

Has pollution been a major concern on any of your hikes? For those of you who have been hiking the same trails for years, particularly those trails in more urban or suburban areas, have you noticed an increase in the levels of visible pollution over the years? I know it can vary greatly from city to city, but I am still curious about the change over time. 
                                                                           See you back here soon!