Vineyard Mountain - Red, Yellow and Blue

The views of the lake, dam and surrounding mountains from the Vineyard Trail are beautiful this time of year while the leaves are off of the trees.  This will probably be one of the last hikes of the early Spring before the trees bloom and obscure the views. 

We will hike all 3 trails on the mountain.  We will begin our hike at the trailhead on the Yellow Trail.  We will follow the Yellow Trail to a point on the mountain that overlooks the Alatoona Dam and then proceed on the Red Trail to the top of the mountain. After a short break at the top of the mountain, we will descend the Red Trail to the intersection of the Red, Blue and Yellow Trails and then follow the Yellow Trail to the base of the mountain. We will ascend the mountain again on the Blue trail back to the intersection of the 3 trails, break again, and then backtrack on the Yellow Trail to the trailhead.

This is a rugged trail with steep elevation gains, switchbacks and many obstacles on the hiking paths.  We will hike at approximately 2.5 mph on the Red and Blue trails, and a little faster on the gentler sections of the Yellow Trail.  

Previous D4 experience is necessary to attend this hike.  Although the total distance is relatively short this is not a "first D4" hike.

Access to the trailhead is off of I-75, exit 285 Red Top Mountain Road.  zhead east on Red Top Mountain Rd to the trailhead parking area on the left side of the road.  If you cross the bridge you have gone too far.

There is limited parking at the trailhead.  The parking area is a paved cut-out on the side of the road at the trailhead.  The parking area accommodates about 10-12 cars.  It's recommended that you arrive a little early to ensure that you have a parking space. Traveling with another hiker is also a good idea.