Thursday Morning Semi-Fitness Hike at Island Ford - Thu, Jun 4 2020

REGISTRATION REQUIRED: Once you've reviewed the event details, and decided you'd like to join us, you MUST sign up at the bottom of this page.



Thursday Morning Semi-Fitness Hike at Island Ford


The Basics:
Event Type:Hike
Event Location: Sandy Springs, GA   Hike: Thursday Morning Semi-Fitness Hike at Island Ford  National Weather Service Forecast
Date(s) & Time:Thu, Jun 4 2020  10:30 am >> Thu, Jun 4 2020 12:30 pm
Registration Opens: Thu, May 28 2020 6:00 pm
Registration Cut Off: Thu, Jun 4 2020 10:30 am
Event Duration:2 Hours
Difficulty Rating:D2: Easy to Moderate
Distance:5.5 Miles
Pace:Fast
Trip Leader(s):
Joyce T.
Email Trip Leader(s)
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Member Cost:None

Participant Info:
Who's Invited: Members Only, 21 And Older Only
Maximum Group Size:10
Minimum Group Size:4
Number Registered So Far: 9 / 0 (To see who's signed up, log in to the Member Area)
Are Dogs Permitted: Yes

Itinerary:
Itinerary:

We're back in operation for our Thursday morning hikes, though we're only going to be hiking with half our numbers for a while.  Please be understanding about a glitch in the web site that might allow more than 10 participants on the active list. 

if the web site allows more than 10 on the active list, I will have to move all those over the limit to the waiting list.   

This is NOT a beginner's hike because the brisk pace over rough terrain presents significant challenges that require one to build up speed and endurance. Please be sure you've done some ready for a challenging hike before you tackle this one.    If you don't have an AOC record of suitable hikes, we'll be contacting you to ascertain your fitness level  We don't want to slow down the group to wait for people who can't keep up the pace, nor do we want to push you beyond your limits.

BE SURE YOU HYDRATE WELL THE DAY BEFORE THE HIKE and bring water/electrolyte drinks to the hike. Adequate fluids are essential.

We'll start at the MIDDLE parking lot. (Hewlett Pond Parking Lot) This lot is NOT the first lot on the left, nor is it the Visitor Center lot;  rather, it's the lot before you come to the pond, on the left side of the road. .  . about .6 miles from the entrance.   We've found that parking in this lot is always light, and it affords a variety of routes to hike.

We'll start the hike promptly at 10:30 am.   Arrive at least 5 minutes early to meet everyone before we start,  and/or to purchase a $5 parking pass if you don't own an annual pass. If you think you might need to use the restroom before we start, give yourself an extra 15 minutes, as you'll have to drive to the Visitor Center and then drive back to the trailhead parking lot. 

BE SURE TO LEAVE VALUABLES AT HOME OR AT LEAST WELL OUT OF SIGHT WHEN HIKING.  CAR BREAK-INS HAVE OCCURRED IN ALL OF THE CNRA AREAS.

No more than 3 dogs on the hike, so if 3 dogs are already listed, please do not add yours. If you bring your dog, it must be kept on leash at all times.  The reputation of the AOC is damaged when we break the leash law!  Please - - no aggressive dogs who might challenge other dogs or people on the hike.

Willow was aiming for some stomach rubs.

This is Willow, an example of a suitable, non-aggressive dog!  :-)

 

Required Items to Bring:
 
Appropriate hiking shoes (waterproof if we've had recent rain)
Water (electrolyte fluids are adviseable)
$5.00 cash or your annual pass (unless the fee is still temporarily waived because of the CoVid-19 virus.)
Recommended Items to Bring:
Use our Event Checklists to make sure you have everything you need.
 
Hiking poles if you like to use them, especially after a rainy day!
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

How to Get There:
Event Directions:

1906 Island Ford Pkwy, Sandy Springs, GA

From northbound US 19 and GA 400
- Take exit #6 (Northridge Road).
- Coming off the exit, stay in the right lane, cross over GA 400, and turn right onto Dunwoody Place.
- Go 0.5 miles to Roberts Drive.
- Turn right and proceed 0.7 miles to the park entrance on your right.

From southbound US 19 and GA 400
- Take exit #6 (Northridge Road)
- Continue straight ahead at the traffic light onto Dunwoody Place.
- Go 0.5 miles to Roberts Drive.
- Turn right and proceed 0.7 miles to the park entrance on your right.

Once you enter the main gate, drive down the road about .6 miles until you see the parking lot on the left, above road level.  There will be a pond on your right if you drive past the lot.


Notes:

Trail Map - http://www.nps.gov/chat/planyourvisit/upload/TrailMapIslandFord.pdf.  

Restroom facility is available down the road at the Visitor Center.  Allow an extra 15 minutes to use the bathroom so that you can get back to the middle lot in time to meet your fellow hikers before we start.

Don't forget to bring $5 cash for a parking ticket;  change is not available. (An annual pass can be purchased at the Visitor Center for $40. Lifetime passes are available to seniors over 62.)


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


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

Please cancel your registration yourself up to the time of the hike if you can't join us after all.   It puts an unnecessary burden on the trip leaders to ask them to delete your registration before the hike starts.