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Mason Mill Park, Lullwater Preserve, Hahn Woods and Melton - Longer - New time




The Basics:
STATUS: Cancelled - Hide from Calendar
Event Type:Hike
Event Location: Mason Mill Park, North Decatur   Hike: Mason Mill Park, Lullwater Preserve, Hahn Woods and Melton - Longer - New time  National Weather Service Forecast
Date(s) & Time:Tue, Nov 5 2024  9:00 am >> Tue, Nov 5 2024 12:25 pm
Registration Opens: Wed, Oct 30 2024 8:00 pm
Registration Cut Off: Tue, Nov 5 2024 7:00 am
Event Duration:3 Hours 25 Minutes
Difficulty Rating:D3: Moderate (Exploratory)
Distance:9 Miles
Pace:Moderate
Trip Leader(s):
Chuck M
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Member Cost:None

Participant Info:
Who's Invited: Members Only, 21 And Older Only
Maximum Group Size:10
Minimum Group Size:3
Number Registered So Far: 1 / 0 (To see who's signed up, log in to the Member Area)
Are Dogs Permitted: Yes

Note: This is an "EXPLORATORY" trip. This means that there are parts of this trip, or perhaps the whole trip, that is new to your Trip Leader(s). However, they are confident that this will not be an issue.
This note is here so that you can make an informed decision. When a Trip Leader isn't personally familiar with a trip, there is an increased chance of things not going as planned and you need to be prepared. The Trip Leader may have additional details in the itinerary.

Itinerary:

This is a longer hike than my usual, with more climbing and some new areas. It will be about 9-miles on trails (mostly) in Mason Mill Park, Lullwater Preserve, Hahn Wood, and Ira Melton parks. It is around 9 miles and has about 600 feet of climbing. As parts of the route are new, and there could be unknown damage from Helene, the distance and climbing could vary from that, so the duration is just a best guess.

We will meet in the parking lot at the back of the Mason Mill Senior Center by the rest rooms and children's playground. Please arrive 10 minutes early for introductions so we can start on time.

This hike will have a few short but steep climbs and descents, including some that are rocky, a stream crossing on a stepping stone bridge, and narrow sections of trail with steep drop-offs. You should be confident of your ability to handle somewhat difficult terrain. Even though the elevation gain isn’t quite what D3 would normally have, the extra distance and steep climbs and descents of this hike justify rating it a D3. I will aim for about a 2.7 mile per hour pace.

We will enjoy surprisingly peaceful and picturesque trails that feel isolated despite being in the heart of Decatur. There will be some sections of boardwalk and/or concrete paths, but we will mostly travel on dirt paths. We will pass by beautiful streams, the ruins of the former City of Decatur Water Works and park, a stepping-stone stream crossing, three City Champion trees (if we can find them!), ruins of several old mills and hydroelectric generators, a suspension bridge (twice!), and the old Candler mansion that serves as the Emory University president’s home. Along the way you may see wildlife unexpected in the city. There may be deer, geese, ducks, heron, hawks, owls, Pileated Woodpeckers, turtles, and possibly even river otters and beaver. I have seen all of these at one time or another on these trails. 

Up to two well-behaved dogs (on-leash as required by park rules) are welcome.


Required Items to Bring:

Footwear appropriate to the conditions described above 

Clothing appropriate to the temperatures

Recommended Items to Bring:
Use our Event Checklists to make sure you have everything you need.

Water 

Snacks

Hiking poles are recommended (again, refer to the description above)


How to Get There:
Event Directions:

From Atlanta, take Scott Boulevard to Clairmont Road and turn left (north). After about 2.5 miles you will pass the VA hospital on the left. Turn right at the second traffic light past the VA hospital onto McConnell Drive. Turn right at the stop sign, take the first left then immediately turn right into the parking lot. Meet us by the bathrooms in front of the children's playground.

From the Northwest take I-85 to the North Druid Hills exit and turn right on North Druid Hills Road. After about 3 miles, just after passing the Toco Hill shopping center, turn right on Clairmont Road. Turn left at the second traffic signal onto McConnell Drive. Turn right at the stop sign, take the first left then immediately turn right into the parking lot. Meet us by the bathrooms in front of the children's playground.

From the East take I-285 to the Decatur/78 exit and turn left on North Druid Hills Road. After about 3 miles turn left onto Clairmont Road. Turn left at the second traffic light onto McConnell Drive. Turn right at the stop sign, take the first left then immediately turn right into the parking lot. Meet us by the bathrooms in front of the children's playground.

The address for your GPS is:

1346 McConnell Dr

Decatur, GA 30033

This address will take you to the Central DeKalb Senior Center, but we will meet behind the building. Please refer to the instructions above for how to find us.


Notes:

Because of the steep ascents and descents, this hike may be cancelled or modified to avoid some of the steeper parts in the event of rain or slippery conditions.


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


Cancellation/Partial Attendance:   Please review the AOC cancellation policy.