Kennesaw Park Trail Mix - BIG Loop End to End

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Kennesaw Park Trail Mix - BIG Loop End to End

The Basics:

Event Type:

Hike

Event Location:

John Ward Parking Lot

Hike: Kennesaw Park Trail Mix - BIG Loop End to End

Date(s) & Time:

Sat, Mar 28 2015 9:00 am >> Sat, Mar 28 2015 4:00 pm

Registration Opens:

Thu, Mar 26 2015 2:00 pm

Registration Cut Off:

Sat, Mar 28 2015 7:00 am

Event Duration:

7 Hours

Difficulty Rating:

D5: Difficult (Exploratory)

Distance:

17 Miles

Pace:

Moderate

Trip Leader(s):

Ron S

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Member Cost:

None

Participant Info:

Who's Invited:

Members Only, 21 And Older Only

Maximum Group Size:

Minimum Group Size:

Number Registered So Far:

2 / 0 (To see who's signed up, log in to the Member Area)

Are Dogs Permitted:

Note: This is an "EXPLORATORY" trip. This means that there are parts of this trip, or perhaps the whole trip, that is new to your Trip Leader(s). However, they are confident that this will not be an issue.
This note is here so that you can make an informed decision. When a Trip Leader isn't personally familiar with a trip, there is an increased chance of things not going as planned and you need to be prepared. The Trip Leader may have additional details in the itinerary.

Itinerary:

Yes, a D5 inside Kennesaw Park! No need to drive 2 hours north to get your BIG weekend workout. I know this is short notice but I need to get my "fix", and hope a few others might join me. This is exploratory, because it will be challenging for me and I'll make sure it will be no more than 17 miles. We will not go too fast (avg well under 3 mph) but you need to have very good endurance. The only big climbs are once over the "mountains". This is not an educational hike and we'll only stop as needed to rest or cross streets, so think of this as staying in that "fat-burning zone" as much as possible for up to 7 hours. If we all feel good, we may get done sooner.

Bring a substantial lunch to eat at the top of one of the mountains.

The route will be starting at what I call the John Ward parking lot on the west side of the southern section of the park (see map below). In general we will make a big counter clockwise loop end to end within the park, covering in this order:
- Kolb Farm West Trail
- Kolb Farm East Trail
- Cease Fire Trail
- Noses Creek Trail
- New Salem Church Trail
- Upper Cutoff to Pigeon Hill
- Little, Baby and Big Kennesaw Mountains (lunch at the top)
- Visitor Center
- 24 Gun Battery Trail
- NW Open Field
- Hardage Mill Trail
- Old John Ward Road Trail (aka Southern Meadow)

I'm going to want to celebrate after this, so if anybody wants to join me for a burger and a beer afterwards, you're welcome and you will have earned it!

Required Items to Bring:

The weather will start off near freezing, no rain, light breeze and mostly sunny.

Layers of clothing
Water (can refill at visitor center about 1/2 way)
Good hiking shoes and socks
Good attitude (cool, sunshiny day will help)

Recommended Items to Bring:
Use our Event Checklists to make sure you have everything you need.

If you are comfortable with treking poles they may be helpful.

Change of clothes if you wanted to go somewhere to eat afterwards.

How to Get There:

Event Directions:

This parking lot is close to the "Activity Area #3" on the park maps. It is NOT the Cheatham Hill parking lot.

Plug in these GPS coordinates: 33.932673, -84.604668

Driving: I can't seem to find a street address for this, but if you were to go west of Marietta on Whitlock Ave (becomes Dallas Hwy 120), then turn left just past the park onto John Ward Road, then the first left onto Cheatham Hill ROAD (not Drive) and look for a large parking lot on your right.

Alternatively, you can get there from Powder Springs Road (Hwy 360) from the south. Turn north onto Cheatham Hill Road. The parking lot will be on your left just past a pedestrian crossing.

Notes:

Parking is free.

Please come a few minutes early for introductions so we can be ready to go at 9:00 am.

* We encourage all members to follow our Etiquette Guidelines while participating in AOC events.

Cancellation/Partial Attendance: Please review the AOC cancellation policy.