Last Minute @ Stone Mountain - Up and Around and Down and Around

Come for a morning two loop hike at Stone Mountain.

We will meet at the Walk-up Trail by the restrooms. After introductions we will begin by hiking up the mountain on the Walk-up Trail. Once everyone has reached the top, we'll do loop #1 around the top to enjoy the views in all directions. We'll then descend on the side trail through the woods until we reach the Cherokee Trail. We'll follow the Cherokee Trail for loop #2 in a clockwise direction and return to our starting point.

This hike will be at a moderate pace and totals approximately 8 miles. Once we are on the Cherokee Trail we will pick up the pace and have fewer stops.

Please arrive early to allow time for parking and introductions. Even early in the morning, the parking lot can get full quickly. There is overflow parking across the street (left at the West Gate).

Stone Mountain Park Trail Map

FROM I-285 TO THE PARK'S "EAST GATE" ENTRANCE:

From the I-285/ US-78 interchange on the east side of town take U.S. Hwy 78 East about 7.7 miles. Bear right at Exit #8 to the Stone Mountain Park "East Gate" main entrance where you'll pay $20 for the daily parking fee if you don't display a valid annual pass. The annual pass is $40 and well worth it if you come here regularly.

ONCE INSIDE PARK, DRIVE TO CONFEDERATE HALL PARKING LOT:

After entering via the East Gate, first follow Jefferson Davis Drive about a mile straight ahead to the big road fork, crossing the lake en route. Bear right onto Robert E. Lee Blvd and follow it about another mile, bearing left to avoid the West Gate exit.  Look for the spacious Confederate Hall parking lot on your left where we park during the hike.  We'll gather at our "usual AOC meetup spot," by the stone restroom building at the base of the Walk-Up Trail (about 100 yards toward the mountain from Confederate Hall). 

You can also enter through the West Gate entrance, in Stone Mountain Village. If you enter here, turn right through the gate and you're almost to the Confederate Hall parking lot on your left.

OPTIONAL FREE PARK ENTRANCE FOR PEDESTRIANS & BICYCLISTS:
There's no charge for pedestrians or bicyclists to enter Stone Mountain Park. There is usually plenty of free parking just outside the Park in the Stone Mountain Village area. The Village is near the Park's "West Gate" entrance which is quite close to Confederate Hall and the Walk-Up trailhead. You can Park near the railroad tracks and walk about 1/2 mile up East Mountain Street and directly into the park through a small gate. Signs says two hour parking but I do not know anyone who has had a problem with going over 2 hours.
Another free parking lot is the "Red Caboose Visitor Center" lot on Main Street, which has its own paved walking/biking trail into the Park, much like the Silver Comet Trail. To drive to that lot, get off US-78 (Stone Mtn Freeway) at Exit #5, then bear right to exit again about a half mile ahead, turn left onto E. Ponce de Leon Ave, go through the first traffic light onto Main Street and continue about a half mile and look for the red caboose on your left. In about 10 minutes you can walk into the park via the paved PATH trail, turn left on Robert E. Lee Blvd (for ~300 yards) and join the AOC group at the Walk-Up trailhead.

Still another option is the MARTA Park & Ride. Follow the directions to Stone Mountain Village above, but turn left on East Mountain Street then right on Fourth Street. There you will find the MARTA Park & Ride.

$20 day pass, $40 annual pass (recommended if you'll be coming back), or walk from Stone Mountain village (see directions above).