Google camera captures virtual hike in Ocmulgee National Monument

More than six miles of trails that wind through the sacred grassy mounds, wetlands and majestic wooded areas at Ocmulgee National Monument can soon be seen anywhere by anyone with access to the Internet.

Panoramic images of the trails are being captured this week by 8 cameras embedded in a green sphere that's atop a pole attached to a wearable 45-pound backpack. The odd-looking contraption -- a Google Street View Trekker -- is on loan from the information super giant to the Ocmulgee National Monument Association, a nonprofit founded in 1942 that aims to bring recognition to the park.

"We're walking the trails and mapping it and we will send it back to Google," said Lisa Lemon, business manager for the association. "Everywhere you see is where Google will see. ... It eventually will become part of Google Maps, and anyone in the world can see these trails."

The 700-acre park land has been occupied by humans since the Ice Age, and the mounds were built by Muscogee Creek Indians during the Mississippian Period, according to the National Park Service's website. Since Sunday, the association's volunteers have been walking the trails, but Lemon said it will be at least six months before the virtual hike is available on Google.

"We've got trails that go to the Civil War Earthwork, which no one typically knows about. ... (and) trails that go to the wetlands and lesser known mounds," Lemon said.

The earthwork, a U-shaped barrier, was built by Confederate soldiers to protect the Walnut Creek railroad trestle from future attacks, according to the National Park Service's website. Perhaps the most popular site, the Earthlodge, will be a challenge to maneuver the Google Trekker through. However, Lemon said the association is exploring possibilities such as using a dolly to move the View Trekker into the mound.

Monday morning, Billie Coleman, public relations manager for the association, strapped on the backpack, calibrated it with her cell phone and walked toward the Dunlap Mound.

"(My phone) helps you see what you're taking pictures of, and when you stop and start, some of the different trails," Coleman said. "I really enjoy ... the history, not only the native American history, but how much this is where Macon started. There's so many different histories together."

Those wearing the Google Trekker are instructed to pause in front of signs as regular visitors would do, Lemon said.

Frank Williams, 77, was walking downhill from the Earth Lodge when he saw Lemon wearing the Google Trekker.

"That's the most unusual camera I've ever seen in my life," said Williams, who had traveled to Macon with his wife and 8-year-old granddaughter from Chester, South Carolina.

Williams said he had no idea what the rig was, but after Coleman explained, Williams said he had heard of the concept.

On the way to move the car for his family, Williams said his granddaughter "was fascinated" by the mounds.

"She's having the time of her life out here," he said.

To contact writer Laura Corley, call 744-4334 and follow her on Twitter @Lauraecor.

This story was originally published April 11, 2016 at 5:45 PM with the headline "Google camera captures virtual hike in Ocmulgee National Monument ."