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Kennesaw Mountain Saturday Morning Fitness Hike + Option




The Basics:
Event Type:Hike
Event Location: Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park
Date(s) & Time:Sat, Apr 3 2010  7:30 am >> N/A
Registration Opens: Mon, Mar 29 2010 9:00 am
Registration Cut Off: Fri, Apr 2 2010 10:00 pm
Event Duration:3-4.5 Hours max
Difficulty Rating:D4: Moderate to Difficult
Trip Leader(s):
Tom Jarosz (Yah-rosz)
John Weatherman
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Member Cost:None

Participant Info:
Who's Invited: Members Only, 21 And Older Only
Maximum Group Size:20
Minimum Group Size:3
Number Registered So Far: 10 / 0 (To see who's signed up, log in to the Member Area)
Are Dogs Permitted: Yes

Itinerary:


Training for an upcoming D5 hike, backpacking trip, or trek?  This is a great place to prepare for it, and the right event for it.  This hike is for those seeking fitness or fitness maintenance.  It has more of a boot camp feel to it than it does a quiet stroll through the woods, but we still might see some deer even though our > 2.5 mph pace is somewhat blinding!

The hike will start at 7:30 AM, so please plan on meeting prior to that time to sign in.  You can either park on old US Hwy 41 or in the main visitor's center parking lot (if space is available and the ranger has unlocked the gate).  Allow a few minutes to walk from old US 41 to the visitor's center if you park there.

We will meet at the visitor's center in the lobby or just outside for sign-in.  Around 7:30 we will hike the 1.2 miles to the 1808 ft. top of Kennesaw Mountain. From there, we will head across Little Kennesaw Mountain, cross Burnt Hickory Road for a very short rest break, then head back over Little and Big Kennesaw Mountains and back to the visitor center.  As an option, for those up to a challenge, we will head back up Big Kennesaw and back down.  The pace of this hike will be your own, but we will be maintaining at least a 2.5 mph pace at a minimum so as to keep this as a fitness-oriented hike and to be able to regroup rather quickly if necessary.

The total hiking distance is from ~5 - 7 miles depending on the option. Endurance is the name of the game today.  You should be good to excellent condition!  Many people underestimate the level of difficulty involved with crossing the mountains twice.  It is strenuous!  Some may pop into trail running mode on the flat and downhill sections, so be aware of that.

REMINDERS:

- Intended for intermediate to advanced hikers with prior D4 hiking experience.  This is not a beginner hike.

- Will take place even if it is raining and especially if it's snowing.

- Kennesaw Mountain can be difficult to find.  Please note the directions below.


Required Items to Bring:
Enough water or Gatorade
Good hiking shoes
Snack
Rain gear (just in case)
Can do attitude!		Recommended Items to Bring:
Use our Event Checklists to make sure you have everything you need.
Hiking stick(s) since it can be slippery/tricky coming down Little Kennesaw at times.

How to Get There:
Event Directions:1) I-75 North to exit 267B Hwy 5 Canton Road Connector

2) If you are not heading west after getting off of the Interstate you are going the wrong way.  You should be heading towards US 41 and downtown Marietta after getting off of I-75 onto the Canton Road Connector.

3) You will be tempted to take the first exit off of the Canton Road Connector which is US 41, but do not take it.  Proceed over US 41 on a bridge staying on the Canton Road Connector.

4) After crossing US 41 take a right at the first redlight onto Church Street Extenson.

5) You should cross railroad tracks soon.

6) Take a left onto Old US 41 at the second redlight.  If you get to US 41 again, you have missed the turn onto Old US 41 so turn around.

7) Stay on Old US 41 until you pass in front of the mountain and park on the left or right-hand side of the road after passing the redlight for Stilesboro Road or park in the visitor's center parking lot if there are spaces available.

Old US 41 is closed in order to replace the CSX railroad bridge so you must approach the park from the south or take Stilesboro Road from the north.  If you are unable to park at the visitors center, you can park beyond the barricades on Old US 41.  There is a small sign indicating overflow parking beyond the signs so it's okay.  Park beyond the redlight and barricade on either side of the road.

Meet prior to 8:00 AM at the cannon outside the main entrance of the visitor's center or just inside the lobby.  Call the trip leader if you are running late, but please note that we won't wait on you.  You will have to try and catch up with the group if you arrive late.

Notes:
* We encourage all members to follow our Etiquette Guidelines while participating in AOC events.

Cost Includes:No cost.

Cancellation/Partial Attendance:   Please review the AOC cancellation policy.
*Note: This is a rain or shine hike - we will hike regardless of the weather - except for thunder, tornadoes or earthquakes.  If you want to call the trip leader just to hear that the event is still on, go ahead, but otherwise you can assume that it is on no matter what the weather is (except in the conditions specified above :-)