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Stone Mtn Sunset & Super Moon Hike




The Basics:
Event Type:Hike
Event Location: Stone Mountain Park   Hike: Stone Mtn Sunset & Super Moon Hike  National Weather Service Forecast
Date(s) & Time:Tue, Sep 9 2014  6:45 pm >> Tue, Sep 9 2014 9:30 pm
Registration Opens: Thu, Sep 4 2014 9:00 pm
Registration Cut Off: Tue, Sep 9 2014 3:00 pm
Event Duration:2 Hours 45 Minutes
Difficulty Rating:D2: Easy to Moderate
Distance:2.5 Miles
Pace:Leisurely
Trip Leader(s):
Sharon H
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Member Cost:None

Participant Info:
Who's Invited: Members Only, 21 And Older Only
Maximum Group Size:16
Minimum Group Size:6
Number Registered So Far: 18 / 0 (To see who's signed up, log in to the Member Area)
Are Dogs Permitted: No

Itinerary:

One of my first hikes with the AOC was a sunset & moonrise hike. Thanks Tony C!.  It is still one of my favorite hikes.

There is only a day or two per month when the moon rises shortly after sunset.  Here's hoping the weather cooperates for this one.

Let's meet in front of the restroom building near the start of the walk-up trail beside Confederate Hall.  We'll hike up the 1 mile trail at a leisurely pace.  It will take about 30 minutes or so to reach the top with an elevation gain of 700 feet.  We should be on the top at 1,686 feet elevation in plenty of time to see the sun dip below the horizon at 7:54pm. After the sunset we will walk around the top of the mountain for about 1/2 mile.  

This is the last super moon of the year and the moon will rise 23 minutes after sunset at 8:17pm.  It is the day after the full moon, however, the brightness is still at 99%.

While at the top there will be time to relax, have a snack and/or take pictures if you want. 

We'll start heading down the mountain around 9pm. 

The mountain is very slippery when wet.  I will cancel if it rains. 


Required Items to Bring:

Water
Flashlight or headlamp
Shoes or boots with good traction

Recommended Items to Bring:
Use our Event Checklists to make sure you have everything you need.

Snack
Jacket (There is always a breeze at the top so you might get cool)
Camera
Tripod
Binoculars


How to Get There:
Event Directions:

  • From I-285 to the Park's "East Gate" entrance:

    From the I-285/ US-78 interchange on the east side of town take U.S. Hwy 78 East about 7.7 miles.  Bear right at Exit #8 to the Stone Mountain Park "East Gate" main entrance where you'll pay $10 for the daily parking fee if you don't display an valid annual pass. 

  • Once inside Park, drive to Confederate Hall parking lot:

    After entering via the East Gate, first follow Jefferson Davis Drive about a mile straight ahead to the big road fork, crossing the lake en route. Bear right onto Robert E. Lee Blvd and follow it about another mile, bearing left to avoid the West Gate exit.  Look for the spacious Confederate Hall parking lot on your left where we park during the hike.  We'll gather at our "usual AOC meetup spot," by the stone restroom building at the base of the Walk-Up Trail (about 100 yards toward the mountain from Confederate Hall).

Notes:
OPTIONAL FREE PARK ENTRANCE for PEDESTRIANS & BICYCLISTS:  There's no charge for pedestrians or bicyclists to enter Stone Mountain Park or to enjoy the numerous free attractions inside the Park including the nice trails.  If you don't have an annual Park Pass and wish to save the daily $10 parking fee, there are usually plenty of free parking spots just outside the Park in Stone Mountain Village.  The Village is near the Park's "West Gate" entrance which is quite close to Confederate Hall and the Walk-Up trailhead.  One such free parking lot is the "Red Caboose Visitor Center" lot on the Main Street, which has its own paved walking/biking trail into the Park, much like the Silver Comet Trail. To drive to that lot, get off US-78 (Stone Mtn Freeway) at Exit #5, then bear right to exit again about a half mile ahead, turn left onto E. Ponce de Leon Ave, go through the first traffic light onto Main Street and continue about a half mile to the "caboose lot" on your left.  In about 10 minutes you can walk or ride your bike eastward into the Park via the paved PATH trail, turn left on Robt. E. Lee Blvd (for ~300 yard) and join the AOC group at the Walk-Up trailhead.

* We encourage all members to follow our Etiquette Guidelines while participating in AOC events.


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