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A fitness hike at Stone Mountain on some different trails




The Basics:
Event Type:Hike
Event Location: Stone Mountain Park, Stone Mountain, GA   Hike: A fitness hike at Stone Mountain on some different trails   National Weather Service Forecast
Date(s) & Time:Sat, Mar 10 2012  8:15 am >> Sat, Mar 10 2012 1:30 pm
Registration Opens: Sun, Mar 4 2012 8:30 pm
Registration Cut Off: Fri, Mar 9 2012 9:00 pm
Event Duration:approx 4 Hours 45 minutes
Difficulty Rating:D4: Moderate to Difficult
Distance:11.5 Miles
Pace:Fast
Trip Leader(s):
Bob J
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Member Cost:None

Participant Info:
Who's Invited: Members Only, 21 And Older Only
Maximum Group Size:10
Minimum Group Size:2
Number Registered So Far: 3 / 0 (To see who's signed up, log in to the Member Area)
Are Dogs Permitted: No

Itinerary:
We will meet at 8:00 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. This hike will be done at a fast pace. If you have not done a long, fast paced hike with the AOC recently, the trip leader will likely contact you to discuss your hiking experience and fitness. This is important since we will probably average 2.5 to 3 miles per hour, the trails are somewhat obscure in places, and therefore we will need to stay together. Once we reach the picnic shelter, we will go to the top of the mountain 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. We will hike through the primitive sites and briefly reconnect with the Cherokee Trail.  

We will follow the Cherokee trail briefly to Stonewall Jackson Drive. We will take a right on 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 hilly and flat trails in that area. 


After completing the Songbird Habitat trails, we will walk 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 turn right. When we get to the footbridge at the dam between Venable Lake and Stone Mountain Lake we will veer off to the right where we will again leave the Cherokee and follow the trails to the Evergreen Resort. We will take a lunch/snack break by the resort on some picnic tables if desired. The resort has nice restrooms if needed.


We will then continue on the Evergreen 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, where we will once again pick up the Cherokee Trail where we will return to the top of Stone Mountain the way we earlier came down. We'll head back down to Confederate Hall via the same side trail that we used going up earlier in the day.

This hike is 11.5 miles and an total elevation gain of 2100 feet. This is why the hike is listed as a D4.


Required Items to Bring:
At least two liters of water/sports drink
Rain gear for possible rain
Hiking shoes/boots with great  traction
Food to keep you fueled for hours of fairly fast hiking
Clothing appropriate for late Winter
A good, can do atitude		Recommended Items to Bring:
Use our Event Checklists to make sure you have everything you need.
camera
change of clothes for after the hike


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 a few hundred feet after this stop sign. Wait for the group near the restrooms by 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.

There is a trail that takes you into the park. When you get to the road in the park, turn left and the Confederate Hall is about 1/4 mile on your right.

Notes:
This hike is planned as rain or shine. If it rains we will avoid going up the mountain, follow the rest of the trails planned with a 'loop' around Lake Vennable and finish on the Cherokee trail going around the mountain. Since these trails are not known to many, we want to stay together and will regroup at turns and intersections.

There is a $10 daily parking fee. You can purchase an annual parking pass.
* We encourage all members to follow our Etiquette Guidelines while participating in AOC events.

Cost Includes:There is a $10 parking fee in the park. You can park in Stone Mountain Village for free, but you will need to allow more time to get to the starting point.

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