KM Trail-Run / Fast Hike

The promo shot is the view towards Standing Indian from the tower on Albert Mountain and not of KM just so you know :-)  Do this event every week and you'll have no problems climbing up to Albert Mountain on the weekends, plus your legs won't be sore the next day!

This trail run/fast hike is for those that already "own" Kennesaw "Mountain", know the trails, and consider it a rather easy climb.

You can run or fast-hike it, but you must know the trail and realize that we get very spread out.  Please look over the directions below to potentially save yourself some time getting there.

After introductions (if you are new) and a quick briefing (e.g. Go to Burnt Hickory and back) we will ascend the 1.2 miles to the 1808 foot top of Big Kennesaw Mountain which is a climb of 657 feet. From there we will drop down about 500 feet to the gap between Big Kennesaw and Little Kennesaw Mountain, up and over the hump in the middle which is about a 20 foot climb heading towards Little Kennesaw and about a 50 foot climb heading back, then down to the base of Little Kennesaw.  From there it's about a 300 foot climb to the top of Little Kennesaw at 1601 feet.  Then we'll head down the other side of Little Kennesaw to Burnt Hickory for a short break.  After that we'll head back the same way we came.

The total distance is ~5.4 miles, and we'll be moving at 3.0 mph pace or more.  The sun goes down quickly so again we don't tarry much.  This is strenuous and heart pumping and is intended to be a mid-week workout to keep in shape for D5 weekend trips.  It has a bootcamp feel to it.

Study the map, especially if you've never been there before.  We'll be going from the Visitor Center to Burnt Hickory Road on what is called the East Trail.  It goes over the mountains versus around the mountains.  At every fork in the trail on the way over, choose right and you'll be alright.  We tend to get spread out on this one, so it's best if you've been here before, but it's not a requirement.

1) I-75 North to exit 267B Hwy 5 Canton Road Connector

2) If you are not heading west after getting off of the Interstate you are going the wrong way.  You should be heading towards US 41 and downtown Marietta after getting off of I-75 onto the Canton Road Connector and see Kennesaw Mountain on your right.

3) You will be tempted to take the first exit off of the Canton Road Connector which is US 41, but do not take it.  Proceed over US 41 on a bridge staying on the Canton Road Connector.

4) After crossing US 41 take a right at the first redlight which is Church Street Extension.

5) You should cross railroad tracks soon.

6) Take a left onto Old 41 at the second redlight.  If you get to US 41 again, you have missed the turn onto Old 41 so turn around.

7) Stay on Old US 41 until you pass in front of the mountain then turn left at the redlight and park in the main visitor center lot if you can.  If full head back out to Old 41, take a left and park in the new parking lot farther down the road on the left.

8) Last resort / panic mode / all available parking spaces have been taken:  When this happens, here is where to park - Turn around and head back in front of the mountain on Old 41.  Take the first left which is White Circle Road.  Take the first right which is White Road Court.  Park on the side of the road.

Meet prior to 6:00 PM at the cannon outside the main entrance of the visitor's center or just inside the lobby.  Call the trip leader if you are running late, but please note that we won't wait on you.  You will have to try and catch up with the group if you arrive late.

VERY IMPORTANT NOTES:

1) The hike will start as close to on time as possible, so please plan on meeting prior to the start time to sign in.

2) Allow 5 - 10 minutes to walk from the new parking lot to the visitors center in the event that the main parking lot is full.

3) Account for potentially bad traffic.  This bites people every time and makes them late.

4) No need to call if it rains.  This hike will proceed in the pouring rain and will only ever be cancelled due to weather at hike time.  I haven't cancelled an outdoor event due to weather since 1978.

No cost.

This is a rain or shine hike - we will hike regardless of the weather - except for thunder, tornadoes or earthquakes.  No need to call or text me to see if it will be canceled.  It won't be canceled due to weather for the most part.