After-Work Adventure by the Hooch for Experienced Hikers

Perhaps the most popular of all metro-Atlanta areas for Atlanta Outdoor Club dayhikes is the West Palisades unit of the Chattahoochee River Nat'l Recreation Area (CRNRA) in NW Atlanta just east of Cumberland Mall.  Its extensive well-marked trail system boasts views of spectacular riverside cliffs or “palisades” and access to a nice 2-mile “hike-or-bike” trail which terminates beside the river just upstream of the I-75 bridge – similar to the popular Silver Comet trail.

Most hikers are perhaps unaware that it is possible to hike to the West Palisades via a beautiful unmarked trail alongside the river from the vicinity of the I-285 bridge (across from "Ray's on the River").  This trail has a few spots along it where light “bouldering” (climbing over large rocks) is required and if the river is unusually high perhaps an occasional short shallow wade where the palisades rise steeply from the water’s edge.  This event is recommended only for experienced hikers in good physical condition who feel comfortable in rugged terrain. It's NOT considered suitable for dogs due to to occasional climbs over boulders and rocky ledges.

WHERE & WHEN: We’ll gather at 6:15 PM at the popular “Cochran Shoals – Interstate Pkwy” parking lot of the Chattahoochee River Nat’l Recreation Area adjoining I-285 – refer to the detailed directions below.  Look for me (Charlie, wearing a black baseball cap) at the far end of the lot by the bulletin board.  The NRA has recently opened a nice new restroom in that lot with a good-quality water fountain.

HIKE PLAN:  After introducing one another and taking care of signing our AOC waiver form, we’ll hike southward beside the river, initially walking underneath the I-285 bridge and its adjoining access road bridge spans.  We’ll continue downstream along the half-mile frontage of “Riverbend” and its neighboring condos, cross a couple of small footbridges, and reach the north end of the rugged riverside trail discussed above.  After about another half mile southward on this trail we’ll reach the West Palisades trails junction on the sandy shore of the Hooch opposite the famous “Jumping Rock” so popular among raftsmen and canoeists.  Here we’ll connect into the marked CRNRA trail system and may take a completely different route back to our vehicles.  If there’s enough interest we'll reconvene at a nearby watering hole for post-hike refreshments & dinner!

“RAIN OR SHINE EVENT”:  We’ll plan to go ahead with the event unless the forecast (as of ~9AM Tuesday) calls for a high likelihood of strong thunderstorms at Hike time – in which case I’ll immediately email everyone and post “cancelled” for the event on the AOC website. We’ll still plan to meet for the hike (and wear appropriate rain gear if necessary) unless dangerous storms are expected.

FOR MORE ON THE CHATTACHOOCHEE RIVER NRA: go to http://www.nps.gov/chat and for free printable trail maps of the West Palisades and Cochran Shoals units go to: http://www.nps.gov/chat/planyourvisit/maps.htm