Stone Mountain Double Ascent, Cherokee Trail and more

We will start by going up the mountain via the Walkup Trail. This will provide a very good warm up for the rest of this hike. We'll descend using some lesser known trails, and then pick up the Cherokee trail. Turning left, we'll follow the Cherokee Trail all the way around to the King's Trail at Indian Island. After exploring Indian Island, we'll pop back on to the Cherokee trail before moving on to the grand finale, topping everything off with one more summit of the mountain.

We will see the Stone Mountain rock carvings at the Crossroads, the Grist Mill, the covered wooden bridge, many views of the two lakes, the primitive youth campground, nature gardens, a few small waterfalls, other folks enjoying this wonderful park, and hopefully some wildlife including deer, turtles, blue heron and many other birds.

We will hike at a moderate pace, stay together and regroup at trail and road crossings. We can take some short breaks to rest and enjoy. There is one short section (that we'll do twice) that is somewhat steep and challenging, in addition to climbing to the top, so you will need good hiking footwear.

This event will be rain or shine unless severe weather is forecast.

Park at Stone Mountain Park ($20 per vehicle or an annual pass that can be purchased at the gate for $40) or in Stone Mountain Village. 

FROM I-285 TO THE PARK'S EAST GATE ENTRANCE:

From the I-285/ US-78 interchange on the east side of town take U.S. 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 $20 for the daily parking fee if you don't display a valid annual pass.

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 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. Look for the spacious Confederate Hall parking lot on your left where we park during the hike. We'll gather at our "usual AOC meetup spot," by the stone restroom building at the base of the Walk-Up Trail (about 100 yards toward the mountain from Confederate Hall).

You can also enter through the WEST GATE ENTRANCE, in Stone Mountain Village. If you enter here, turn right through the gate and you're almost to the Confederate Hall parking lot on your left.