Blue Moon Rise and Sunset - ’Twice in a Blue Moon’ - Wed, Jan 31 2018

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Blue Moon Rise and Sunset - ’Twice in a Blue Moon’


The Basics:
Event Type:Hike
Event Location: Stone Mountain Park   Hike: Blue Moon Rise and Sunset - ’Twice in a Blue Moon’  National Weather Service Forecast
Date(s) & Time:Wed, Jan 31 2018  5:20 pm >> Wed, Jan 31 2018 7:20 pm
Registration Opens: Thu, Jan 18 2018 8:08 pm
Registration Cut Off: Wed, Jan 31 2018 12:12 pm
Event Duration:2 Hours
Difficulty Rating:D2: Easy to Moderate
Distance:2.5 Miles
Pace:Moderate
Trip Leader(s):
Mark
Charlie Cottingham
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Member Cost:None

Participant Info:
Who's Invited: Members Only, 21 And Older Only
Maximum Group Size:18
Minimum Group Size:2
Number Registered So Far: 17 / 0 (To see who's signed up, log in to the Member Area)
Are Dogs Permitted: No

Itinerary:

Should the skies cooperate, we will have the opportunity to view the sunset, and a short time afterwards, we will witness the Blue Moon Rise - a Blue Moon being the second full moon in a calendar month. On this particular day, there will be two opportunities to view the Blue Moon; one shortly before it sets in the morning (morning blue moon eclipse event) and again when it rises in the evening. So, I guess you could say this will be a "twice in a Blue Moon" day!

We will hike to the top of Stone Mountain and after arriving on the summit, we will get comfortable, socialize, and watch the sun set - it will come down on the horizon just south of downtown ATL. Shortly after sunest, we will move around to the east side of the summit, get situated, and then prepare for a relatively rare Blue Moon Rise. You may want to bring along a set of binoculars for an even better view the full moon. After enjoying the views of the full moon, we will make our way around the top of the mountain taking in views of the surrounding area before heading back down.

Feel free to bring beverages and/or some snacks to enjoy while we're hanging out on top... it's meant to be a leisurely, sociable, enjoyable evening. If anyone wants to leave early, you're welcome to head back down whatever time you wish.

The hike will begin near the restrooms at the bottom of the walk-up trail, near the Confederate Center. Sunset is at 6:07 PM, and moonrise at 6:31 PM.

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
  • Layered clothing to stay comfortable for the weather conditions
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 just 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 free parking lot is the "Red Caboose Visitor Center" lot on the Main Street, which has its own paved walking/biking trail (the "PATH") into the Park. 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 here.

Notes:

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

Permission has been granted by the Director of Events to expand this event slightly above the maximum group size.


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


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