Sat, Aug 25 2012 - Hike to the Summit of Panola Mountain: A Rare Metro Atlanta Treat! (View Original Event Details) Trip Leader(s): Bobby Marie, Charlie Cottingham Participants: Charlie Cottingham, Sheila C, Armin, Jeremy Lee, Melissa M, Mark Anderson, Michael Ferrari, Glenn A, Dinkar, Barbara Gray, Rich, Lisa L., Bobby Marie, Christy Dyer, Linda Bratton Haynes, Zachary Schneider

We sixteen AOC hikers had a fine time together at Panola Mtn State Conservation Park this morning with near perfect blue-sky weather.  We took our time enjoying the nice Nature Center just prior to the hike.  Along the mountain approach trail we found a pretty box turtle that we held up for all to see and photograph, then later got close-up views of large colorful grasshopper-like insects and a huge reddish-orange "velvet ant."   When we reached the summit of the protected mountain the profusion of rare native plants of the granite outcrops and "solution pits" reminded us of how the top of Stone Mountain may have looked 100 years ago. As we neared the end of the hike several of us took the time to enjoy also the Rock Outcrop loop trail near the Nature Center.  Thanks to my friend and co-leader Bobby for doing a great job hiking sweep and help keeping our friendly group together.  -Charlie, 2PM Aug 25th