COVID-Distancing Hike around Stone Mountain via the Cherokee Loop and other Scenic Trails

Event Overview and Where to Meet:  Hope you can join us for this clockwise loop hike around Stone Mountain, mainly via the beautiful "Cherokee Trail" and its orange-blazed connecting trails.  We intend to observe the CDC's COVID-19 guidelines regarding social distancing, masks, etc. and will adhere to the Club's temporary limit of 6 participants per event.  We'll enjoy stops at the awesome Memorial Carving (photo above), old Grist Mill, historic Covered Bridge, Songbird Habitat Trail, Native Plant Garden and several fascinating "off-the-beaten-path" scenic spots, for a total distance of about 6.3 miles and about 700 feet of total uphill elevation gain.  Along the way we'll occasionally do a little off-trail "bushwhacking"and also take a few breaks for observing the colorful native flora & fauna and shooting photos of the mountain and its lakeside & creekside scenery.  We'll have spectacular views of the mountain from all sides and hike across portions of its bare rocky shoulder where thousands of tons of its famous granite were once quarried.

We'll gather for introductions and begin the hike beside the stone restroom building near Confederate Hall - our usual gathering spot for most AOC events at the Park. (See Directions below to that Trailhead. I also include directions for Free Parking and Free Park Entry if you prefer an easy walk into the Park from nearby Stone Mtn village.)

Park Features & Activities:  Boasting 3,200 acres of natural beauty, Stone Mountain Park features a wide variety of amazing outdoor activities,adventures and attractions.  Hikers can enjoy more than 15 miles of scenic nature trails throughout the Park or take a variety of paved walkways if you prefer.  It's also a great place for bicycling, camping, paddling, fishing or playing golf.  There are lots of fun annual events such as the Yellow Daisy Festival, Stone Mtn Christmas, and Snow Mountain. Visitors who wish to learn more about the mountain's fascinating history, geology and ecology can explore the Historical & Environmental Heritage Center and visit the other museum displays, etc. in Confederate Hall and Memorial Hall.

Click these links for more about the Park, itsTrails, etc:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stone_Mountain
http://www.stonemountainpark.com/activities/recreation-golf/Hiking-Trails
http://www.stonemountainpark.com/faq/#Recreation

 

Above:  Water sluice for the old Grist Mill by the Cherokee Trail

Fun Fact: How large is the granite that underlies Stone Mountain? Hint:  Not the popular myth! 

We'll gather for the Hike at the "Walk-Up Trailhead" inside Stone Mtn Park (our "usual" gathering spot for most AOC Stone Mtn hikes).  It's about 75 yards toward the mountain from Confederate Hall,  beside the stone restroom building.  GPS users can enter this concise Lat/Lon as your destination address,,being sure to include the comma and minus sign: 33.8107,-84.1617  For a zoomable map or satellite view of this gathering spot click the square blue & green "Event Location" icon near the top of this article.

Directions and Parking Fees for Hikers who Prefer Driving into the Park:  The main entrance into the Park is the "East Gate" which has its own special "Exit #8" from the Stone Mtn Freeway.   Visitors who drive into the Park must purchase and display a valid Parking Pass: The current price is $20 per vehicle for a daily pass or $40 per vehicle for an annual pass, available from the entrance gate attendants - also online.
  Assuming that you drive in via the East Gate, take Jefferson Davis Drive straight ahead for 1 mile and bear right at the big 3-way junction.  Continue via Robt. E. Lee Blvd another 1.1 mile to Confederate Hall (on your left, avoiding the Park's "West Gate" exit at the 1-mile point).  Just past the Hall turn Left into its large Parking Lot and park there.  Then walk a few yards toward the mountain to the above-discussed gathering spot/ trailhead.

Optional Free Parking in nearby Stone Mtn Village and "Walk-In" Directions:  Park visitors are welcome to take advantage (as I do)  of the always-free Park admission for pedestrians and bicyclists.  There are normally plenty of free parking spots available about 1/4 mile outside the "West" Park entrance in the quaint old village of Stone Mountain.  For example, on weekends the Suntrust Bank is closed and there is usually space in its free parking lot, at 5399 E Mountain St, Stone Mountain, GA 30083 (corner of 2nd Street). GPS and Maps.Google.com users can enter "Suntrust Mountain St GA" as your destination.  On all days of the week free public parking is usually also available near the E Main St / Mountain St traffic light, esp. in the vicinity of the Village's old train station and white gazebo.
To walk (or ride your bike) from Stone Mtn Village to our AOC meetup spot inside Park near Confederate Hall:  Proceed eastward via the Mountain Street sidewalk and enter the Park via the narrow steel pedestrian gate. Continue straight ahead to the restroom building on the far side of the large parking lot (~75 yards beyond Confederate Hall on your left).  Although the narrow pedestrian gate is normally locked at night, hikers and cyclists can enter and exit the Park "24 - 7" at no charge via the "West Gate" (mentioned above for drivers).