RESCHEDULED: SEVEN PLANET ALIGNMENT preview @ Stone Mountain

Our solar system is putting on a rare show on the 28th of February and you are invited to the preview! Seven of the nine planets (and yes, I said nine, because I still consider Pluto our ninth planet) will be on the same side of the sun, forming a graceful daisy chain across the sky. This rare event, which will not happen again till late 2028, features Saturn, Mercury, Neptune, Venus, Uranus, Jupiter, and Mars in one broad sweep of the night sky. What a deal!

The plan is to meet at sunset (6:30 PM) outside the restrooms near the walk-up trail, hike up to the summit, tag the geo markers, settle in a suitable place on the Southern face, focus our attention on the sky, and identify the seven planets visible in the night sky. Extra bonus: The constellations Orion, Auriga (the Charioteer) and Gemini (the Twins).

After locating the seven planets, you'll have earned bragging rights and can confidently check that rare event off your bucket list. Later, you get to decide whether you'd like to stay on the summit to enjoy more of the night sky, or make your way down the mountain, to the parking lot.

Fair warning:

1. This moderately strenuous NIGHT HIKE involves rock hopping and a few stiff climbs. If you are recovering from injury, have mobility issues, or are uncomfortable with traversing uneven rocky terrain, this is not the hike for you!

2. This is a weather-dependent event, so if there is significant cloud cover, we will be unable to see the planets. However, I plan to hike despite the cloud cover, just so I can get in a good after-dinner walk! If there is rain in the forecast, all bets are off, and I will cancel the hike.

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 I-285 on the east side of town, take US Hwy 78 East for about 7.7 miles.  Bear right at Exit #8 to the Stone Mountain Park "East Gate" main entrance and pay the daily parking fee, unless you have a valid annual pass. If you are 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 outside 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 is 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 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.

- Please, no unregistered guests or +Ones!

- Late cancellations, particularly within 36 hours of the event, make it difficult for those on the waitlist to attend. Please be courteous to your fellow AOC members and cancel with as much notice as possible.

- If you need to get in touch with me, the best way is to TEXT me with your NAME and query/comment. FYI, thanks to those annoying robocalls, calling me will send you to my voicemail, but feel free to leave a message.

- I usually hike RAIN-or-SHINE! However, in case of severe weather or other unforeseen emergencies that warrant a cancellation, I will text/email you at least TWO HOURS before the start of the event.

In order to earn credit for this event, participants must complete the entire hike/event with the group, or within the stated time frame.