Ultralight Backpacking Gear and Techniques: On-Trail Demo at Stone Mountain

Do you love to backpack, but are wondering how you could lighten your load?  Are you interested in going out for the weekend with your friends, but the idea of carrying all that heavy camping gear around turns you off?

Let's go for a walk around Stone Mountain on the Cherokee Trail and look at an alternative to traditional backpacking. 

We'll meet at the base of the walk-up trail to Stone Mountain at Confederate Hall, near the restrooms and parking lot and begin a loop of of the mountain keeping the summit on our left. We'll loosely follow the 5 mile Cherokee Trail, but generally take the path of least resistance. Weather permitting we'll stop in a clearing to relax and talk about how we can lighten our packs, if it's raining we'll stop at an available pavillion. I'll have my pack loaded for a 3 day trip (under 20 lbs of gear, clothing, food and water), will show you what I carry, how it's used, and how it's packed, to stay comfortable and safe during most 3 season trips where temperatures are above freezing.

After the demo and discussion we'll continue around the mountain along the Cherokee Trail and return to the base of the walk-up trail to Stone Mountain at Confederate Hall.

*** There is a $10 fee to enter the park without an annual park pass. Free parking is available in Stone Mountain Village in the lot adjacent to Main Street. From here it's a nice walk through the village along E Mountain Street into the park. If you plan on parking in the village, please leave yourself an additional 15 minutes to walk into the park from the Stone Mountain Village.

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.

To Stone Mountain Village Free Parking Lot - From I-285 take U.S. Hwy 78 East (Snellville/Athens) exit. Travel about 6.7 miles and take Exit 5 for GA 10 to Stone Mountain Village. In 1.3 miles exit to E Ponce De Leon Ave and turn left toward Stone Mountain Village. Continue straight onto Main Street. The parking area will be on your right. Park and walk back to the Main Street and E Mountain Drive and turn right down E Mountain Drive to walk 0.5 miles into the park to the base of the walk-up trail at Confederate Hall.  (If you plan to park in the village, please leave yourself an additional 15 minutes walk into the park from the village.) 

Additional directions and maps can be found at: 

http://stonemountainpark.com/default.aspx