Sat, Oct 8 2022 - Arabia Mountain Loop (View Original Event Details) Trip Leader(s): Charlie Cottingham, Richard A. Zalik Participants: Richard A. Zalik, Fran, Shawnay, Eva, Amy E, Charlie Cottingham, Amy, Diane F.

  We had a fine time Saturday morning exploring this rocky "little sister" of Stone Mountain in DeKalb County's beautiful Arabia Mtn National Heritage Area.  Arabia's expansive granite outcrops are just 10 miles south of Stone Mtn and proven by geologists to have solidified from molten magma tens of millions of years earlier!  The crisp fall weather was ideal for a hike - in the 60s & 70s with a clear blue sky and a refreshing breeze.  It was fun having new member Shawnay with us on her very first AOC outing.  We also enjoyed having Amy and her friend Diane bring their two friendly and beautiful dogs to hike with us and play with one another.  Along the way we took the time to observe the fascinating native flora & fauna - including prickly pear cacti, yucca, eastern red cedar, and several beautiful birds.  We also discussed the historic remains of the rock quarrying industry that thrived at Arabia from the mid-1800s until the late 1900s.

  It worked out well to park and gather at the park's shady "South Lot" and to begin by hiking to the tops of the two highest granite outcrops: "Bradley Mtn" (at 964' where we had a clear view of nearby Panola Mtn) and "Arabia Mtn" (just 1/3 mile NE of Bradley, at 950').  From this 2nd summit we descended eastward across its surrounding granite surface and circled beautiful "Mountain Lake" via its well-marked blue-blazed loop trail that traversed alternate stretches of wooded and rocky terrain.

   Esp. since it was Shawnay's first time at Arabia I was delighted to have her join me after our main hike to visit the park's Nature Center and explore some of its pretty surrounding trails before she headed home.  Thanks to her for sharing the colorful group shots of us taken at "Mountain Lake"!   - Submitted by Charlie, Mon Oct 10, 2022