Early Friday Morning at West Palisades from Akers Mill Road Entrance

There's a good chance of rain in the morning, but I'm hoping we can get in this hike and stay dry.  If the rain probability remains low, I'll keep the hike active . . .  but if the rain looks heavy, I'll cancel by 6 am.

We'll be hiking at a brisk moderate pace,  below fitness speed.  We should cover around 5 miles in 2 hours, allowing for several water breaks and photos.  Caution:  Beginners are warned that this is a challenging D2 hike;  it is NOT an easy trail . . .  especially for folks who have no recent hiking experience.  There are some areas of the trail that have lots of rocks and roots, and there is one rather steep, endless hill that is downright difficult. 

NOTE:  This entrance to West Palisades is off of Akers Mill Road!   It is NOT the 441 entrance from which some hikes originate.  The parking lot is behind some apartment complexes that you will drive past!  Turn left in front of the CRNRA brown sign and drive down the road into the parking area.  

Look for the apartments with the water wheel out front on Akers Mill Road!  That's where you turn in.  There are no signs indicating the trailhead here, so just trust that you're in the right place.  Drive until you see the park CRNRA sign for your left turn.

There is a $5 parking fee at this location, unless you have an annual pass.  You will need your smartphone to connect with the barcode reader at the kiosk that allows you to pay online.  Allow an extra 5 minutes to take care of this.

Up to 3 dogs will be permitted on the hike, so if you already see 3 dogs registered, please do not bring another.  Dogs are required to stay on leash in all of the CRNRA areas - - with steep penalties per animal if you are caught in violation of the law.  Besides. as representatives of the AOC, we want all participants to obey the park rules.

Location:

1927 Akers Ridge Drive,  Atlanta GA 30339

Coordinates 33.891623, -84.444515

From eastbound Interstate 285
Take exit 22, Northside Drive, New Northside Drive, Powers Ferry Road.
Right on Northside Drive to Powers Ferry Road.
Right approximately 1.5 miles to Akers Drive
Turn left at the wooden "Water Wheel"
Drive up the hill on Akers Drive passing apartment homes untill you see the brown CRNRA sign on the left at the drive to the parking lot. Turn left at the sign and drive through to the parking lot.  If you reach an apartment complex at the end of Akers Drive, you have gone too far. Backtrack to the CRNRA driveway

From westbound Interstate 285
Take exit 22, New Northside Drive, Northside Drive, Powers Ferry Road.
Straight to second traffic light.
Left on Northside Drive to Powers Ferry Road.
Right approximately 1.5 miles to Akers Drive
Turn Left at the wooden "Water Wheel."
Drive up the hill on Akers Drive passing apartment homes untill you see the brown CRNRA sign on the left at the drive to the parking lot. Turn left at the sign and drive through to the parking lot.  If you reach an apartment complex at the end of Akers Drive, you have gone too far. Backtrack to the CRNRA driveway

No bathrooms at the trailhead.  

https://www.crnra.vip/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Palisades-Paces-Mill.pdf

Please do your own cancellations until the 10 am deadline.  If you need to cancel after that, call your trip leader.