Hike around Stone Mountain via the Cherokee Loop with scenic off-trail Hidden Gems

Event Overview and Where to Meet:  Hope you can join us for this exploration of the forests and lakeshores that surround Stone Mountain via a wide variety of scenic terrain, including portions of its popular Cherokee Trail.  Saturday's forecast expects sunny skies during the 4-hour hike and warming a bit from the low to high 40s.  We'll gather a few minutes before 10:30 AM by the stone restroom building adjoining the huge Confederate Hall parking lot - our usual AOC gathering spot for events inside the Park - and begin & end the hike there. See Directions and GPS Info below.  I also include directions for optional Free Parking and Free Park Entry if you prefer taking a short walk into the Park from Stone Mtn village, as I normally do.  The current 1-day inside-the-park Parking Fee is $20 and Annual Parking Pass $40.
   Since this event includes the noon hour I suggest that we take the time to enjoy a picnic lunch at a scenic spot along the way.   Please bring snack items of your choice in a light daypack - plus about a quart of water.  We'll get to admire of course the awesome Memorial Carving (photo above) and aerial tramway towering above it - also take time to visit a variety of lesser-known "hidden gems": e.g. the NY World's Fair Carillon Tower, old Grist Mill, historic Covered Bridge & adjoining Indian Island, outdoor Quarry Museum, historic Train Yard, Songbird Habitat trails and Native Plant Garden.  Our adventurous route will require a little "bushwhacking" from time to time, but our reward will be up-close contact with rare flora & fauna and spectacular views of the granite monolith from all sides. Our total hiking distance will be about 8 miles with about 700 feet of total uphill elevation gains along the route.
  We intend to observe the CDC's COVID-19 guidelines regarding social distancing, masks, etc. and intend to adhere to the Club's temporary limit of 10 participants per event.  Please bring your mask and be prepared to wear it, esp. when we need to pass other park visitors on narrow trails, etc.
  Dogs now permitted. (12/18/2020 Revision) I've decided that our hiking terrain and distance is appropriate for owners of well-behaved leashed dogs to bring them if you so choose.  Please indicate this in your registration notes.

Park Features & Activities:  Perhaps too often "taken for granite" by Atlantans, Stone Mountain Park features more than 3000 acres of ruggedly beautiful terrain, a wide variety of wild flora & fauna and a fascinating human history.  Hikers can enjoy more than 15 miles of scenic nature trails and walk or jog on paved walkways if you prefer.  It's also a great place for bicycling, camping, paddling, fishing or playing golf.  There are festive annual events including the Yellow Daisy Festival, Stone Mtn Christmas, and Snow Mountain. Visitors who wish to learn more about the geology, history and ecology of the 300-million-year-old giant rocky "monadnock" can explore the Park's Historical & Environmental Heritage Center in Confederate Hall and visit other museum displays in Memorial Hall (below the world-famous bas-relief carving).

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

 

Above:    Water sluice for the old Grist Mill beside 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 the following concise Lat/Lon as your destination address, being sure to include the comma & minus sign: 33.8107, -84.1617
  For a zoomable map or satellite view of this spot click the square blue & green "Event Location" icon near the top of this article.

Directions and Parking Fees for Visitors 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 - or buy one online in advance
  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 Public Parking in nearby Stone Mtn Village and "Walk-In" Directions:  Park visitors are welcome to take advantage (as I normally do)  of the always-free Park admission for pedestrians and bicyclists.  Free parking is usually available in the quaint historic village of Stone Mountain, about 1/4 mile outside the Park's "West" entrance.  For example, on weekends the Suntrust Bank is closed and there's usually space in its free parking lot at 5399 E Mountain St, Stone Mountain, GA (at 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 also provided near the village's E Main St. / Mountain St. traffic light - toward the old train station and 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 always enter and exit the Park "24/7" at no charge via the "West Gate" (mentioned above for drivers).