Laurel Ridge Trail - Tue, Mar 17 2026

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Laurel Ridge Trail

The Basics:

Event Type:

Hike

Event Location:

3650 Buford Dam Rd, Cumming GA

Date(s) & Time:

Tue, Mar 17 2026 10:00 am >> Tue, Mar 17 2026 12:45 pm

Registration Opens:

Thu, Mar 12 2026 4:00 pm

Registration Cut Off:

Tue, Mar 17 2026 7:00 am

Event Duration:

2 Hours 45 Minutes

Difficulty Rating:

D2: Easy to Moderate

Distance:

6.5 Miles

Pace:

Moderate

Trip Leader(s):

Drew W

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Member Cost:

None

Participant Info:

Who's Invited:

Members Only, 21 And Older Only

Maximum Group Size:

Minimum Group Size:

Number Registered So Far:

1 / 0 (To see who's signed up, log in to the Member Area)

Are Dogs Permitted:

Itinerary:

Please join me for a hike at Laurel Ridge. We will meet in the Lower Pool West parking lot which is at the end of Lower Pool Rd after you enter the park. There are restrooms here, which is the Corps of Engineers parking lot. Your America the Beautiful parking pass is valid here. This is just beyond the small parking lot we meet in for our Bowmans Island hike.

This is a nice 6.5 mile hike with about 600' of elevation gain. We will hike at a moderate 2.6 mph with stops for water when needed. We will hike a short stretch along the river, then climb a hill up to Buford Dam Road which we will cross to continue the hike through wooded areas with some nice views of Lake Lanier.

Please arrive by 9:50 for a hike description and introductions. Arrive earlier if you need to buy a park pass or visit the restrooms. Daily passes are $8 and can be purchased with a credit card at the entrance kiosk (if it is working). It will probably be easier to purchase one on-line or buy one at the Island Ford Visitor Center for $5 before the hike. The hike will start promptly at 10:00.

I will send out a pre hike email on the Sunday prior to the hike with the expected weather forecast as well as other information of possible use.

DO NOT LEAVE ANY VALUABLES IN YOUR CAR. THERE HAVE BEEN BREAK-INS. PUT THEM IN YOUR TRUNK OR LEAVE THEM AT HOME.

Required Items to Bring:

Water for hydration

Hiking/ trail shoes with good traction

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

Hiking poles for the hills

Trail snacks for energy

How to Get There:

Event Directions:

The address above is for the entrance to the park. The road in the park is called Lower Pool Rd.

NOTE: Some GPS units have taken hikers to the wrong place. Be sure you are turning onto Lower Pool Rd right at the power station. There is a kiosk at the entrance to the park.

From Peachtree Industrial Northbound:

Turn left onto Shadburn Ferry Rd. Turn left onto Buford Dam Rd and follow it to Buford Dam. After crossing the dam, just after the power station, turn left onto Lower Pool Rd into the park.

From Hwy 400 Northbound:

Exit right on Hwy 20. Turn left onto Sanders Rd. At the stop light, turn right onto Buford Dam Rd. Once on the dam, just before the power station, turn right onto Lower Pool Rd into the park.

Both:

Follow Lower Pool Rd to the first parking lot on the right.

3650 Buford Dam Rd, Cumming GA

GPS Coordinates: 34.157258835511854 -84.08004246032716

Notes:

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

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

Registration for this event opens at 3/12/2026 4:00:00 PM