Sat, Aug 30 2025 - West Palisades from Paces Mill (View Original Event Details) Trip Leader(s): Mike C Participants: Mike C, Marge R, Linda, Neil, Jennifer W, Catherine Dana, Jai, Tom Blalock, Kristy D, VG, Paul M, Ken C, Fran, Laura M

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A great day for hiking. The new parking lot is bigger and I will be providing more specific instructions on where to meet on future hikes. We met at picnic tables near the restrooms by the river and did introductions. From there we walked to the trailhead. We headed down the trail toward Lighting Rock, followed the one-way trail until it deadened, returned and headed up the hill. As we descended, we took the loop trail by the river and headed towards the beach. Once again, we turned around stopping at the restrooms before returning the way we came to the parking lot this time going straight down the hill instead of looping around by the river. At various points we stopped and talked about how Lighting Rock got its name, why the first hill is called Blood Hill, the Cherokee and Creek Indians, why part of the hill going down to the north restroom is paved, and why there was a helicopter landing field.

Thanks to Ken and Laura for joining us on their first event, Catherine, Jai, Tom, and Kristy for joining us on their second hike and Linda for joining us on her tenth hike.

Mike