She’ll be Coming Around the Mountain: Stone Mt. Cherokee Trail

This may be your last chance to hike before the big day!  Do some pre-feast calorie burning on this 5.2 mile hike around the mountain. 

We'll hike the 5 mile Cherokee Trail at a moderate pace (so you can breath all the way). This is not a fitness hike, but not a leisurely stroll in the park, either; we plan to finish the 5 miles in 2 1/2 hours. If you're new to hiking and can't handle hills well, this would not be a good hike for you, as there are hills throughout the trail.  Nothing too steep or too long, though. We won't be in a rush to finish, so if you can go the distance, give it a try!

We'll meet at the restrooms near Confederate Hall (West Entrance to the park) and hike counter-clockwise around the mountain,  with a walk by the carving at the meadow before we access the final section of the trail.  You'll also see the Snow Zone that occupies the meadow for the winter season. 

We will leave promptly at 12 noon, so please arrive 5-10 minutes early to check in and meet your fellow hikers.  If you're running late, you are welcome to try to catch up with us.  Our route will be counter-clockwise around the trail.  If you're late and plan to catch up, please phone me to let me know you're in the park.  

Parking for Stone Mountain is $10 if you don't have an annual pass ($35).  If you want to save the parking fee, parking is usually available on the surface roads outside the park, but if you choose to park there, please be sure to allow time to get to the bathhouse on time and secure your belongings in the trunk of your car.

Dogs are permitted on the Cherokee Trail, but they must be kept on leash.  If your dog will not stay on leash, please do not bring it.  

GPS  Coordinates: 33.81076800026398, -84.16212379932403

Parking in the park lot:  $10 

Directions: 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. The parking lot will be immediately after. We’ll meet at the bathhouse on the other side of the lot from the Confederate Hall.

You can also enter through the West Gate entrance  in Stone Mountain Village, which puts you right at the parking lot we'll be using.  If you enter here, turn right through the gate and you're just about in the Confederate Hall parking lot.  We'll be on the right (as you look at the mountain) at the bathhouse.

Additional directions and maps can be found at: 

http://stonemountainpark.com/default.aspx

Remember to bring $10 for parking in the Confederate Hall lot unless you have an annual pass.  An annual pass is $35 - - a good investment if you think you might visit the park three or more times during the year.