***Newcomer Hike - Meet the Officers at Island Ford (evening)

The 2013 AOC Officers and Member Ambassadors would like to invite our newer members out to meet some of us. This is a great opportunity to come out and see what the AOC is all about. The most noteworthy feedback we received from a previous "Meet the Officers" newcomers hike was that new members liked coming out because they knew they weren't going to be the only brand new person there. We are there to meet you, give you some tips about AOC and answer any questions you have.

Island Ford is part of the Chattahoochee National Recreation Area and one of AOC members favorite hiking spots. If you haven't been here (or to one of the other CNRA parks) you are in for a real treat. You will never guess you're minutes away from Atlanta. More info here: http://www.nps.gov/chat/planyourvisit/islandford.htm

We will use the following method to assist our newer members in reserving a spot on this newcomer hike:  We will open registration immediately and close it the Thursday before the hike. All registrants will automatically be placed on the waiting list (this is on purpose). A few days before the hike, the folks with the fewest events will be moved to the confirmed list. In order to follow our "leave no trace" and minimize impact on the trails, we'll cap this hike at about 18 particpants.  We will send a confirmation email to notify those who make the list. 

We are parking at the Visitor's Center which is all the way in the back of the park. You will pass two small parking lots on your left. Keep following that that road and you will dead end in to the Visitor's Center. The Visitor's Center closes at 5pm so there will be no restrooms available.

We'll enjoy a short 3 to 3.5 mile hike around Island Ford at a leisurely pace. 

This park requires a $3 parking fee, so if you don't have an annual pass, be sure to bring $3 cash.  You will want exact change. There are envelopes in which you put your $3 and then hang the receipt on your rearview mirror. The envelope station is unmanned.

From northbound US 19 and GA 400
- Take exit #6 (Northridge Road).
- Coming off the exit, stay in the right lane, cross over GA 400, and turn right onto Dunwoody Place.
- Go 0.5 miles to Roberts Drive.
- Turn right and proceed 0.7 miles to the park entrance on your right.

From southbound US 19 and GA 400
- Take exit #6 (Northridge Road)
- Continue straight ahead at the traffic light onto Dunwoody Place.
- Go 0.5 miles to Roberts Drive.
- Turn right and proceed 0.7 miles to the park entrance on your right.

http://www.nps.gov/chat/planyourvisit/islandford.htm

Trail Map - http://www.nps.gov/chat/planyourvisit/upload/2006IslandF ordB&W.pdf