SM Sunset, INTERNATIONAL SPACE STATION, and FIREWORKS - Mon, May 30 2016

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SM Sunset, INTERNATIONAL SPACE STATION, and FIREWORKS


The Basics:
Event Type:Hike
Event Location: Stone Mountain Park   Hike: SM Sunset, INTERNATIONAL SPACE STATION, and FIREWORKS  National Weather Service Forecast
Date(s) & Time:Mon, May 30 2016  8:00 pm >> Mon, May 30 2016 10:00 pm
Registration Opens: Tue, May 24 2016 7:07 pm
Registration Cut Off: Mon, May 30 2016 2:02 pm
Event Duration:2 Hours
Difficulty Rating:D2: Easy to Moderate
Distance:2 Miles
Pace:Moderate
Trip Leader(s):
Mark
Laura V
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Member Cost:None

Participant Info:
Who's Invited: Members Only, 21 And Older Only
Maximum Group Size:20
Minimum Group Size:4
Number Registered So Far: 21 / 0 (To see who's signed up, log in to the Member Area)
Are Dogs Permitted: No

Itinerary:

Well this one's pretty simple... we'll hike to the top of Stone Mountain, get comfortable, watch the sunset, hang out for a bit enjoying each other's company, and then watch the brightest man-made object in space wiz by for 6 minutes. Stone Mountain will be having an 'extended' Fireworks finale after the laser show for those who want to see it.

Wiz by?... that's right... it's zippin' along at 17,200 miles per hour! Brightest man-made object in space? Yep... it's the brightest object in the sky next to the sun and moon!  And if that's not enough to impress you, how about seeing $150 Billion speeding through space.  Yeah, that's 150,000,000,000 bucks.  But don't feel bad... your American tax dollars only contributed about $75,000,000,000.  How much does it weigh?... about 1 million lbs.  Only 6 minutes?... well, it travels entirely around the earth in about 90 minutes, so 6 min. is about as long of a view as we will ever get from earth.  How big is it?... about the size of a football field - including end zones.  Yes, since we contributed more than any other country, it's measured in football fields (per NASA)... not soccer fields. Alrighty... enough with the numbers... in laymans terms, it's big, it's fast, it's expensive, and it's cool.

Feel free to bring beverages and/or snacks to enjoy while we're hanging out on top... it's meant to be a leisurely, sociable, enjoyable evening.

 

Schedule: The hike will begin from the Confederate Center at 8 PM and we should arrive on top of the mountain 10 - 15 minutes before sunset - sunset is at 8:41 PM The ISS will come into view at 9:09 PM and be visible for 6 minutes. The laser show begins at 9:30 PM, and although there are some fireworks during the show, the extended fireworks show is at the end of the show (approx 10 PM). If anyone wants to leave early, you're welcome to head back down the mountain at whatever time you wish - just inform the Trip Leader before you head down.

If you have a pair of binoculars you may want to bring them for an even better view of the ISS.

Please take the time to look at the park map and parking options in order to be on time!


Required Items to Bring:
 
  • Flashlight or headlamp
  • Hiking or trail shoes.
Recommended Items to Bring:
Use our Event Checklists to make sure you have everything you need.
  • Snacks/beverages
  • Camera
  • Binoculars

How to Get There:
Event Directions:

 

GPS Coordinates: 33.81077, -84.16212

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.  Look for the large 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

You can also enter through the West Gate entrance, in Stone Mountain Village. If you enter here, turn right through the gate and you're just almost to the Confederate Hall parking lot on your left.

OPTIONAL FREE PARK ENTRANCE FOR PEDESTRIANS & BICYCLISTS:

There's no charge for pedestrians or bicyclists to enter Stone Mountain Park.  There is usually plenty of free parking outside the Park in the Stone Mountain Village area.  The Village is near the Park's "West Gate" entrance which is quite close to Confederate Hall and the Walk-Up trailhead.  You can park near the railroad tracks and walk about 1/2 mile up East Mountain Street and directly into the park, through a small gate (Note that this gate is often locked soon after sunset and you have to walk out around the nearby West Gate and then left to get back to East Mountain Street.)

Another 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 and look for the red caboose on your left.  In about 10 minutes you can walk into the Park via the paved PATH trail, turn left on Robt. E. Lee Blvd (for ~300 yards) and join the AOC group at the Walk-Up trailhead. (Note the gate on this PATH trail is often locked soon after sunset).

Additional directions and maps can be found at: 

http://www.stonemountainpark.com/activities/map/overview. aspx

Notes:

There is a $15 daily parking fee to drive into Stone Mountain Park unless you have an annual pass.


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


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