East and West Palisades - Whitewater Creek lot

This is not a hike for a beginner.  To qualify, you must have recently (last 2 weeks) kept pace with a D3 group on a previous hike with 1200 feet of elevation gain and fast pace and be willing to keep pace with the group on this hike.  If you are on the wait list, it is because you did not meet the written qualification or because the hike is full.

Elevation gain: over 1500 feet

Moving Speed:  up to 3.0mph in certain sections 

Trail Condition:  slippery and hazardous in places with the usual experiences of leaves over nuts, rocks, and roots, plus extra sticks, blowdowns, mud patches, and awkward slopes. 

Part 1: East Palisades is a unique hike in a densely forested park that rises to 400 feet above the Chatt ahoochee River. It offers some of the most scenic views of the river south of Lake Lanier .  This hike will encompass the 48 acre park and include many of the Creeks and tributaries.

The loop hike will include the Poppi's Point Overlook deck as well as the Bamboo Forest.

Break Time:  30 minute intermission for restrooms, snack, hydration, drive to opposit side of river to Paces Mill lot.

Park 2:  West Palisades is one of the more challenging of the Chattahoochee River parks, the West Palisades trail system provides relaxing river-side trails along with several moderately steep inclines.

The trails either stay around 800 feet in elevation along the river or around 1000 feet in elevation on the hilltop, so navigating this park requires several 200 foot climbs and descents.

Street address deleted due to problems with Apple Navigation.  Please please use Google Maps with instructions.

From Google Maps, type: East Palisades Whiltewater

From Google Maps, type: East Palisades Whitewater

Here is the link:

 https://goo.gl/ maps/Y6k D5cGeTuJ72XNZ8

From I -285 East

- Take exit 22, Northside Drive, New Northside Drive, Powers Ferry Road. 
- Right on Northside Drive.
- Go through the Powers Ferry intersection for 1.6 miles to Harris Trail (Caution light).
- Right on Harris Trail and .9 mile to Whitewater Creek Road.
- Right and entrance will be on the right (.1 mile).

From I-285 West
- Take exit 22, Northside Drive, New Northside Drive, Powers Ferry Road.
- Straight to second traffic light.
- Left on Northside Drive, through the Powers Ferry Road intersection for 1.6 miles to Harris Trail (caution light).
- Right on Harris Trail and .9 miles to Whitewater Creek Road.
- Right and travel.1 mile to the entrance on the right.

From I-75 North
- Take exit 256, Mt. Paran Road.
- Right on Mt. Paran Road to first traffic light (Harris Trail)
- Left on Harris Trail to Whitewater Creek Road
- Right about .4 miles to the unit which is on the left.

From U.S. 41 (Cobb Highway South)
- Travel to Mt. Paran Road
- Right on Mt. Paran Road, go to the first traffic light (Harris Trail) and turn left.
- Go about .3 miles turn left onto Whitewater Creek Road.
- Go .4 miles to the unit, which is on the left.

From U.S. 41 (Cobb Highway North)
- Travel to Mt. Paran Road
- Turn left on Mt. Paran Road, go to the first traffic light (Harris Trail) and turn left.
- Go about .3 miles turn left onto Whitewater Creek Road.
- Go .4 miles to the unit, which is on the left.

Electronic payment at QR code sign  for $5 parking unless you have an annual pass, which you can apply for HERE.

Trail Maps - 

National Park Service http://www.nps.gov/chat/planyourv isit/upload/ TrailMapPalisadesEast.pdf

"Please be advised that attendees of AOC events should have face coverings on their person, in the event they are unable to maintain a physical distance of 6 feet.

The AOC continues to follow federal, state, local and CDC guidelines to help contain the spread of COVID-19. A national Executive Order enacted on January 20, 2021 states “...on-duty or on-site Federal employees, on- site Federal contractors, and other individuals in Federal buildings and on Federal lands should all wear masks, maintain physical distance, and adhere to other public health measures, as provided in CDC guidelines.” Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park and the CRNRA parks are examples of federal lands.