East Palisades at Sunset

Join us for an evening hike at the East Palisades section of the Chattahoochee National Recreation Area.  This hike will include several steep ascents as well as a few brief stops at interesting landmarks, so in order to cover the distance before dark, we will hike at a quick pace.  We will stop at some unique features including the cave, the ruins, the bamboo forest, and scenic overlooks. After pausing to watch the sunset at the viewing platform, we will head back to our vehicles at dusk. Sunset is 8:51 p.m. on July 10th.  We will be returning to the parking lot in semi darkness, so be sure to bring a and LED headlamp or small flashlight.

We will meet at the Whitewater Parking lot at 6:30 for introductions and hit the trail at 6:35. Be prepared for several very steep inclines with granite or loose dirt surfaces.

A trail map for East Palisades is available at:
http://www.nps.gov/chat/planyourvisit/upload/2006EastPalisadesB&W.pdf

The directions to the Whitewater Entrance on the CNRA website may be incorrect and include several wrong turns.  A map of the CNRA is available at:

http://www.nps.gov/pwr/customcf/apps/maps/showmap.cfm?alphacode=chat&parkname=Chattahoochee%20River%20National%20Recreation%20Area

Enter the following coordinates for the parking lot entrance into your Auto or Handheld GPS. (note: All Garmin, and most TomTom GPS's allow for direct coordinate entry; many "built-in" GPS's will not)

h ddd˚ mm' ss.s" N 33˚ 52' 35.7", W 84˚ 26' 16.3"

h ddd˚ mm.mmm' N 33˚ 52.595', W 84˚ 26.271'

From I -285 Eastbound
- Take exit 22, Northside Drive, New Northside Drive, Powers Ferry Road.
- Right on Northside Drive.
- Go through the Powers Ferry intersection for 1.6 miles to Harris Trail (Caution light).
- Right on Harris Trail and 0.9 mile to Whitewater Creek Rd.
- Right on Whitewater Creek Rd. and entrance will be on the right (.1 mile).

From I-285 Westbound
- Take exit 22, Northside Drive, New Northside Drive, Powers Ferry Road.
- Straight to second traffic light.
- Left on Northside Drive
- Go through the Powers Ferry intersection for 1.6 miles to Harris Trail (Caution light).
- Right on Harris Trail and 0.9 mile to Whitewater Creek Rd.
- Right on Whitewater Creek Rd. and entrance will be on the right (0.1 mile).

From I-75 Northbound
- Take exit 256, Mt. Paran Road.
- Right on Mt. Paran Road, go to the first traffic light (Harris Trail) and turn left.
- Go about 0.3 miles and turn left onto Whitewater Creek Road.
- Unit is on the right (0.1 mile).

From U.S. 41 (Cobb Parkway) northbound
- Travel to Mt. Paran Road
- Right on Mt. Paran Road, go to the first traffic light (Harris Trail) and turn left.
- Go about 0.3 miles turn left onto Whitewater Creek Road.
- Go 0.1 miles to the unit, which is on the right.

From U.S. 41 (Cobb Parkway) southbound
- Travel to Mt. Paran Road
- Turn left on Mt. Paran Road, go to the first traffic light (Harris Trail) and turn left.
- Go about 0.3 miles turn left onto Whitewater Creek Road.
- Go 0.1 miles to the unit, which is on the right.

$3 parking fee or annual parking pass.  Either daily or annual pass must be displayed in the windshield of vehicle. The Whitewater Parking lot has limited spaces, so depending on availability, you may need to park along the entrance road.

Friendly, well behaved dogs are welcome on this hike.  Owners are responsible for knowing and following all leash laws. 

THIS EVENT WILL BE CANCELED IN THE EVENT OF SEVERE WEATHER.