Miller Lake is fed from several waterfalls in the park, the overflow forms Little Mulberry Creek and spills out into Beaver Dam Creek.
These waterfalls are accessible to the public, the first one is on a trail that cuts off this one on the other side of the lake. The others are on the Ravine loop trail which is accessed in the other part of the park. These coupled with small rapids makes for a great hike!
When you get to the fishing pier you will notice to the left that a dam is in place. On the other side of that dam is where Little Mulberry Creek begins.
The erosion formed the streams that caused a slow degraded ravine to form, that resulted in the waterfalls.
The abundant granite found along this ridge line prevented much of the area from being farmed and instead the remnant rock roadways of the park remind one of the original roadways carved by nature into this area that were eventually used by early settlers as a trade trail.
It is believed that this area was a major causeway for foot travel by both white settlers and early Indian inhabitants.
The waterways formed the bowl shaped depression that eventually led to the lakes establishment with the construction of the dam.
Some of the rocks are still visible in the water also.
Definitely granite in composition, though they may be more of a granite like Gneiss which is a metamorphic version of the original granite.
The 200-acre Karina Miller Preserve is named in honor of a family with a long history in the region. The Miller family sold 404 acres to Gwinnett County to create Little Mulberry Park and the 200 acre preserve is a memorial to the Miller family. Within the preserve, development is limited to the trail and the fishing piers. Everything else, including the pastures and woodlands, will remain undisturbed for future generations.
1) Based on your observations at the fishing pier, why do you think this area was perfect as a natural storm water retention catch basin?
2) The difference in elevation of the sign at posted coordinates and the fishing pier.
3) How many large rocks do you see under the fishing pier?
4) optional, take a picture with your GPS on the fishing pier and post it in your log.
Permission was granted for this Earthcache by the Gwinnett County Parks Program Coordinator. Permit number 3000955 Please observe/obey all park rules and park in the designated areas when searching for this Earthcache. This is located in Little Mulberry Park.