Kennesaw Park Trail Mix - Southern Meadow

This is an easy hike with several small hills.  This is one of my all-time favorite local hikes with lots of variety of terrain, micro-climates and changes throughout the seasons.  I plan on going slow (2 to 2.5 mph avg pace), but because of the 7+ mile length, I have to call it a D3.  This will make a good first hike at this difficulty level.  We will make short, frequent stops to enjoy this part of the park (and maybe catch your breath at the top of a hill if necessary).  I'm not planning on stopping for lunch or a snack but you're welcome to bring whatever you need (obviously).

We will be going counter-clockwise through the southern section of the Kennesaw Battlefield Park so we can be in the sun sooner and get warm as we walk through the meadow near the beginning of the hike.

We will start at the Cheatham Hill parking lot and after the customary introductions, we'll see the recently upgraded Illinois Monument and the bomb tunnel first, then take the woodsy trail north to get to the sunny (hopefully) meadow before heading back into the woods.  We will then go around the west and east trails which is popular with horseback riders, so expect to tread carefully in places.

This is the first time I've ever allowed dogs on a hike so please make sure they are well behaved around lots of strange people and other dogs.  They must be on a leash since it's a national park.

The trailhead is the Cheatham Hill parking lot off of Dallas Hwy, west of Marietta, GA.
Dallas Highway is also known as Whitlock Ave and GA Hwy 120.

Going north on I-75 near Marietta, take exit 263 (120 South Loop to Marietta and Southern Polytechnic).  Follow the 120 South Loop for about 3 miles to Whitlock Ave.  The "loop" makes a hard right after you cross under the tracks (but you can't miss it).  Then left (west) on Whitlock Ave and go about 3 more miles to Cheatham Hill Drive on your left. The parking lot is at the end of the road.

The GPS coordinates of the trailhead are 33.936571, -84.596983

Alternatively, this street address works in my google maps on my android phone: Cheatham Hill Drive, Marietta, GA 30064  Note: Make sure you plug in "Drive", NOT "Road".

There is water available at the parking lot and at Kolb farm about half way through the main loop.
However, there are no bathroom facilities in this part of the park.
Parking is free!

I will let you know (by e-mail) by 7:00 am on the morning of the hike if I need to cancel this in case of really bad weather or road conditions.