Mason Mill Park Sunset Hike + optional Picnic & Stargazing

sponsor

Print-Friendly Version

Add this event to your calendar (Outlook, iCalendar)

Add REGISTRATION REMINDER to your calendar

REGISTRATION REQUIRED: Once you've reviewed the event details, and decided you'd like to join us, you MUST sign up at the bottom of this page.

Mason Mill Park Sunset Hike + optional Picnic & Stargazing

The Basics:

Event Type:

Urban Hike

Event Location:

NE Atlanta near Clairmont Rd & I-85

Urban Hike: Mason Mill Park Sunset Hike + optional Picnic & Stargazing

Date(s) & Time:

Sat, Sep 24 2011 5:00 pm >> Sat, Sep 24 2011 7:30 pm

Registration Opens:

Fri, Sep 23 2011 9:00 am

Registration Cut Off:

Sat, Sep 24 2011 3:00 pm

Event Duration:

2 Hours 30 Minutes

Difficulty Rating:

D2: Easy to Moderate

Distance:

4 Miles

Pace:

Moderate

Trip Leader(s):

Charlie Cottingham

Email Trip Leader(s)
You must be logged in to get the Trip Leader contact information.

Member Cost:

None

Participant Info:

Who's Invited:

Members Only, 21 And Older Only

Maximum Group Size:

Minimum Group Size:

Number Registered So Far:

8 / 0 (To see who's signed up, log in to the Member Area)

Are Dogs Permitted:

Itinerary:

IN A NUTSHELL: Ideal fall weather is expected here in Atlanta this weekend with highs in the upper 70s, mostly clear skies and low humidity. Since no other AOC events have yet been posted for Sat afternoon I thought I'd offer this leisurely hike near my home here in NE Atlanta followed by an optional "BYO picnic" and a little stargazing.
Mason Mill and Medlock Parks are two adjoining DeKalb County parks just east of Clairmont Road that are connected via a network of scenic shady hiking/biking trails. Mason Mill Park has recently been renovated, with excellent free facilities including three nice new dining pavilions.
The mile-long South Peachtree Creek Trail is the main trail linking the two parks. Much like the Silver Comet, it features a half-mile raised wooden deck through the forest canopy above the creek. Another high wooden walkway crosses the railroad tracks and gives hikers nice views of the historic ruins of the early-20th-Century "Decatur Waterworks."

EVENT PLAN: We'll meet at 5:00 in Mason Mill Park's free parking lot—see detailed directions below. After introductions we'll hike together via the pretty trail system to Medlock Park, stopping often to regroup and enjoy the scenery. Our total distance will be about 4 miles with just a few steep sections. By about 7:00 we should be back at Mason Mill Park.
If you like bring a simple picnic dinner and beverages to leave in our vehicles during the hike (perhaps in an iced-down cooler). We can enjoy dinner together just before dusk at the picnic tables in one of the nice park pavilions.
After dinner, for all who can stick around a little longer we'll enjoy some stargazing in a dark-sky area near the cars. I'll bring some star charts and we can observe the North Star, Milky Way and some of the other nice fall constellations.

Required Items to Bring:

• Wear comfortable well-broken-in Athletic Shoes or Hiking Boots and comfortable Lightweight Clothing appropriate for the weather. If you have a pair of Trekking Poles, consider bringing them since part of our route will be a bit steep. A simple Hiking Stick works about as well.

• Hydrate in advance and carry in your Daypack or Fanny Pack a filled Water Bottle or your "Camelbak" or other hydration system.

• If you'd like to join me for a little picnic after the hike, bring a Picnic Dinner and a couple of your favorite Beverages to leave in your vehicle. We'll enjoy these in one of the Mason Mill dining pavilions and share any extra items with one another.

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

• Consider bringing your Camera. Lots of nice photo-ops!

How to Get There:

Event Directions:

FROM the "SPAGHETTI JUNCTION" I-85 / I-285 INTERCHANGE in NE METRO ATLANTA:

1) Take I-85 South toward Atlanta about 4 miles and get off at Exit #91 "Clairmont Road."

2) Turn Left onto Clairmont Road (US-23 southward toward Decatur) and go about 2.3 miles to the traffic light at McConnell Drive. (This is the first light south of the much busier junction and light at North Druid Hills Road).

3) Turn Left onto McConnell Drive, go 0.1 mile ahead and turn Right at the stop sign to stay on McConnell (following signs toward Mason Mill Park and DeKalb Tennis Center).

4) About another 0.1 mile ahead, look for the Mason Mill Park sign on your left and turn Left into the large free parking lot. We'll gather at 5:00 PM in by the stone restroom building.

FOR A MAP or CUSTOM DIRECTIONS from your specific point of departure: Go to Google.com/maps and input as your destination the following "dummy address" of the Mason Mill Park parking lot:
1280 McConnell Drive, Decatur, GA 30033

The above address or its Lat/Lon Coordinates below may be useful as a destination for your vehicle's onboard GPS navigation system.
33.8081,-84.3068

Notes:

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

Cost Includes:

Free Event with Free Parking!

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