SUPERMOON over Stone Mountain

To all you lovers of our Solar System:

Word on the street is that this Monday (July 3rd) is Supermoon Monday! That means that at 07:37 AM, the moon will be at it's closest perigee for the year (closest point to the earth, at 33.02 arc minutes, compared to the normal 29.44).

So, let's trek up to the top of the Big ATL rock and say hello to our very own Big Cheese, aka Chandra, chaand, luna, tungi, kuu, hli, cap, yoreh, maan, mwezi, bulan, marama, ay, etc. Maybe it'll get close enough that we can touch it! And as a bonus, Venus and Mars should also be visible in all their glory in the early morning sky - at no extra cost. What a deal!

Here's the plan: Although the perigee is at 07:37, unfortunately for us, at our latitude, the moon sets at 06:16 AM so we will have to rise and shine early to catch this sight! Accordingly, we'll start up the mountain at 05:30 from the Whistle Stop station, near the restrooms (next to Confederate Hall) hike to the summit, tag the geo markers, settle in a suitable place on the Western face, and watch/touch the Supermoon as it dips below the horizon. Content, we'll make our way back down the mountain to the parking lot.

Fair warning:

1. If you are recovering from injury, have mobility issues, or are uncomfortable with traversing rocky terrain, this is not the hike for you!

2. This is a weather-dependent event. In other words, if there is significant cloud cover and we will be unable to see the Supermoon, I will text you at least ONE HOUR before the start of the event to cancel.

3. We will be hiking up the mountain in the dark so a HEADLAMP is a must! 

BTW, entry to Stone Mountain Park is $20 per vehicle, unless you buy an annual pass for $40.  You can avoid the vehicle entry fee by parking for free on Main Street in Stone Mountain Village and walking into the park (see directions below).

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

From the I-285 on the east side of town, take US 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 $15 for the daily parking fee if you don't display a valid annual pass.  Suggestion, especially if you're new to the Park, ask the gate attendant for a free color map.

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 past the lake, to the big fork in the road. Swing right onto Robert E. Lee Blvd and follow it for a mile. Stay in the left lane to avoid the West Gate exit (on your right) and then park in the parking lot on the LEFT, next to Confederate Hall. Look toward the mountain and you'll see the restrooms in front of you. We'll gather at our usual AOC "meetup spot," by the stone wall near the restroom building at the base of the Walk-Up Trail (about 100 yards toward the mountain from Confederate Hall).  For a zoomable map & aerial view of this spot, click on the red "Location Icon" at the top of this article.

OPTIONAL FREE PARK ENTRANCE FOR PEDESTRIANS & BICYCLISTS:

There's no charge for pedestrians or bicyclists to enter Stone Mountain Park or to enjoy the numerous free attractions inside the Park including the nice trails.  If you don't have an annual Park Pass and wish to save the daily $20 parking fee, there are usually plenty of free parking spots just outside the Park in Stone Mountain Village.  The Village is near the Park's West Gate entrance which is a 15-minute walk to Confederate Hall and the Walk-Up trailhead.  One such free parking lot is the "Stone Mountain Visitor Center" lot on the 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 to the "caboose lot" on your left.  In about 15 minutes you can walk or ride your bike eastward into the Park via the paved PATH trail, turn left on Robert E. Lee Blvd (for ~300 yard) and join the AOC group at the Walk-Up trailhead.

I understand that Life happens, and if you cannot make the hike, please deregister on the AOC website, or TEXT me at 4O4-7five4-5OO5 and let me know.