Stone Mountain.... with a few new trails

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.

Stone Mountain.... with a few new trails

The Basics:

Event Type:

Hike

Event Location:

Stone Mountain Park

Date(s) & Time:

Sun, Dec 18 2011 8:50 am >> Sun, Dec 18 2011 12:50 pm

Registration Opens:

Sun, Dec 11 2011 8:00 pm

Registration Cut Off:

Sat, Dec 17 2011 7:00 pm

Event Duration:

4 Hours

Difficulty Rating:

D3: Moderate

Distance:

10 Miles

Pace:

Moderate

Trip Leader(s):

Laura V
Bob J

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:

Summary:
Join us for a 10 mile hike along some of the lesser known trails at Stone Mountain. Much of our hike will be on trails other than the familiar Cherokee trail. These trails include great scenery, some flats and some hills.

Specifics:
We will meet at 8:50 a.m. in front of the restrooms near Confederate Hall. From there we will go up Stone Mountain using a side trail that is mostly compact soil. Once we reach the picnic shelter, we will summit the mountain at 1,686 feet and return the way we started.

On the way down, we will turn to the South on the Cherokee Trail. We will follow this trail to the Connector Trail and on to the Nature Trail. After crossing Robert E. Lee Blvd. to the Nature Trail parking lot, we will follow a somewhat unknown trail along a creek to the primitive camp sites. There is water and flush toilets at these campgrounds. We will hike through the primitive sites and reconnect with the Cherokee Trail.

We will follow the Cherokee trail briefly to Stonewall Jackson Drive. We will take this road for about 100 feet to the South and then turn off on another somewhat unknown trail to the Songbird Habitat. We will hike a series of trails in that area.

After completing the Songbird Habitat trails, we will hike back across Stonewall Jackson Drive and do a short but, somewhat steep, downhill bushwhack to another trail along a creek. We will follow the creek back to the Cherokee Trail and cross a footbridge at the dam between Venable Lake and Stone Mountain Lake. From there, we will again leave the Cherokee and follow the trails to the Evergreen Resort. We will take a break by the resort on some picnic tables if desired.

We will then continue on the trails back to the footbridge. We will cross the footbridge and turn West on the Connector Trail. We'll follow the Connector Trail across Stonewall Jackson Drive. After another short bushwhack, we will once again pick up the Cherokee Trail back to the Nature Trail. This time we will take the northern route on the Nature Trail and pick up the Connector Trail. We'll head back to Confederate Hall via a side trail up onto the railroad tracks.

Required Items to Bring:
Sturdy hiking shoes or boots
Water, at least 1.5 liters
Light snack or energy bar
Clothing appropriate for the weather, including wind and rain gear if necessary

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

How to Get There:

Event Directions:

Directions To Confederate Hall Parking Lot:

To the main entrance- From I-285 take U.S. Hwy 78 East (Snellville/Athens) exit. Travel about 7 miles and take Exit 8, the Stone Mountain Park Main Entrance. After entering the main entrance, proceed straight ahead. The road will fork at about 1 mile - stay to the right. Continue to follow the road for another mile. Confederate Hall will be on your left. (Careful - there's a stop sign in front of Confederate Hall for those entering the West Gate.) The parking lot will be immediately after. Wait for the group near the walk up trail.

MARTA PARK & RIDE LOT - free parking in Stone Mountain Village

From Hwy 78 take exit 5 - stay right for a half mile - then a quick exit to E. Ponce/Stone Mtn. Village. At the end of the ramp turn left. Drive a mile or so into town. Turn left on East Mountain. Turn right on Fourth Street. There you will find the MARTA park and ride.

Notes:

Parking fee is $10 unless you have an annual pass or you can park for free at Stone Mountain Village.

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

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