Say Hello! to the ISS - over Stone Mountain

I just finished reading Samantha Harvey's Booker Prize winning novel "Orbital" and I kind of want to look up to the sky and wave to the International Space Station (ISS)! So, if you have never see this modern marvel in action, which has now been orbiting the earth for almost a quarter of a century (it was launched in Nov 2000), this is your chance! NASA meticulously tracks the ISS trajectory and says that it will make another glorious fly by over Stone Mountain on Dec 14, at 6:31 AM, for a total duration of 7 minutes, peaking at 83°, appearing at 10° above SW, and disappearing at 10° above NE. Plenty of time to wave  encouragement to the seven astronauts (American, Russian, Japanese, Danish) currently on board. As an added bonus, we get our morning workout done before 7:30 AM. What a deal!

So, the plan is to meet at 05:50-ish at the restrooms near the walk-up trail (next to Confederate Hall), start hiking by 06:00, reach the summit, tag the geo markers, settle in a suitable place on the Northern face, focus our binoculars, and watch for the ISS as sails by from 06:31 to 06:38.

After that, you have the option to walk around the summit in anticipation of the sunrise (at 07:35), or make your way 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 we will be unable to see the ISS. However, I plan to hike CLOUD COVER OR NOT, just so I can get my morning work out done. BTW, if there is rain in the forecast, I will cancel the hike at least 2 hours before the event.

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

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.