Sat, Jun 14 2025 - Stone Mountain, Up and Around (View Original Event Details) Trip Leader(s): Wayne, Lisa Participants: Lisa, Wayne, Dawn B, Daniel R, Natalie Burns, Elizabeth, Amit M, Julie McC, Pam M, Amy

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The rain held off till we were in our cars on our ways home but the heat did not!  Nevertheless, everyone appeared to have a good time and some interesting wildlife was seen - first a family of mallard ducks, then Monarch butterflies followed us a short way, and finally a copperhead crossed our paths (or, did we cross his?).  

On our way up the mountain we talked about the evidence of quarrying at Stone Mountain, and the curious "joints" found in the granite in numerous locations.  On the way down we stopped in the shade of the large Chestnut Oak, found the diminutive and unusual Georgia Oak, and heard about the freshwater shrimps that live on the mountain.  

We diverted from the Cherokee Trail near the playground to explore the alternative and unnamed back trail that came out at the Nature Garden parking, then traversed the Nature Garden trail and an orange connector trail to make our way back to the Walk Up parking lot, TBH (Tired But Happy).  

Here's our group atop the mountain, happy but not yet tired:  https://share.icloud.com/photos/04cO5e_quNug5SGFxMVwxE71g