Farewell, November: Stone Mountain summit and Cherokee Trail

We will meet at the base of the walk-up trail. This is in front of the Historical & Environmental Education Center (formerly Confederate Hall) restrooms. We'll meet a few minutes before 9:00 am for brief introductions before we head to the top. We'll ascend via the main walk-up trail. Once atop, we'll rest for a moment and perhaps have a sip from a thermos of coffee or hot chocolate and a snack before moving along.

After enjoying our view from the top, we will descend most of the way back down the mountain, via a path less traveled, through the woods, and pick up the Cherokee Trail. We'll circumnavigate the mountain at a moderate to fast pace before ending back at our starting point. We will complete the full Cherokee Trail including a steep climb across exposed granite near the end. 

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.