Stone Mountain - Up, Down, and Around, then Up and Down Again

First, we will hike to the top of Stone Mountain and spend a few minutes taking in the great views. Then we will head back down and go around the mountain on the Cherokee Trail. Once we get back to our starting point, we will go up to the summit again!

We will stay together as a group for the first seven miles of the hike. The last part of the hike - going up to the top of the mountain and back down again - will be self-paced.

The walk-up trail is a steep hike over smooth granite, so wear shoes with good tread. You may want to bring hiking poles, as well. The Cherokee Trail is a lovely, mostly wooded path with some beautiful views of the lake. It also passes the covered bridge and the historic Grist Mill. 

This is a challenging hike due to the elevation gains and the somewhat faster pace. We will be averaging a little faster than 2.5 mph, so you need to be able to maintain a solid pace with minimal breaks in order to keep up with the group. You should have recent D4 or strong D3 experience to participate in this hike. If you do not have this experience with the AOC, please email the trip leader with information about your recent hikes. If the trip leader does not hear from you, you will be moved to the waiting list.

Please arrive early for parking and introductions. There is an overflow lot across the street if the walk-up trail lot is full.

We will meet in front of the bathrooms across from the Historical & Environmental Education Center (formerly known as Confederate Hall) at the bottom of the walk-up trail.

https://stonemountainpark.com/ maps/

FROM I-285 TO THE PARK'S "EAST GATE" ENTRANCE:
From the I- 285/US-78 interchange take US-78 East about 7.7 miles. Take Exit #8 to the Stone Mountain Park main entrance (aka the East Gate). The entrance fee is $20 for a day pass or $40 for an annual pass.

ONCE INSIDE PARK, DRIVE TO HISTORICAL & ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION CENTER (formerly 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. Then turn left into the H&EEC parking lot. We'll gather at the "usual AOC meetup spot," by the restrooms at the base of the Walk-Up Trail.

You can also enter through the West Gate entrance, from Stone Mountain Village. If you enter here, turn right through the gate and you'll see the H&EEC 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.
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. 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, 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 Robt. E. Lee Blvd (for ~300 yards) and join the AOC group at the Walk-Up trailhead.

We will meet in front of the bathrooms across from the Historical & Environmental Education Center (formerly known as Confederate Hall) at the bottom of the walk-up trail.

The entrance fee is $20 for a day pass or $40 for an annual pass. You might as well buy an annual pass so you can come on more AOC events.