Stone Mountain Around and Up

Meeting in front of the restrooms across from Confederate Hall at the bottom of the walk-up trail, we'll loop around then up the mountain at an easy pace and enjoy the sights, sounds, and smells of this beautiful state park.  We'll proceed south from Confederate Hall following the Orange and Green trails to find the Cherokee trail and continue counter-clockwise around the mountain.  Traipsing through the winter woodlands and alongside the lake, hawks are frequently seen overhead and White Tailed deer often cross the paths.  We'll pass the scenic waterwheel and cross below the massive stone relief carving of confederate civil war leaders.  After about 5 miles, just before Confederate Hall, the Cherokee trail turns away from the RR tracks and ascends to intersect the walk-up trail.  The summit is only a steep one-mile climb away, where we'll take a break then head back down to end up back at Confederate Hall.  The hike has a few spots where we cross inclined stone faces or rock-hop across small streams.  Some of these sections may be slippery and the walk-up trail is very steep, so you need to be strong and nimble!

Parking Options: 1. Park in town for free and walk to the event; 2. Daily parking pass $20; 3. Annual pass $40.

You should be familiar with the trails so you can find your way back to the parking lot without assistance:  https://www.stonemountainpark.com/Activities/Recreation-Golf/Hiking-Trails

FROM I-285 TO THE PARK'S "EAST GATE" ENTRANCE:

From the I-285/ US-78 interchange take U.S. Hwy 78 East about 7.7 miles. Take Exit #8 to the Stone Mountain Park Main Entrance, which is the "East Gate" 

ONCE INSIDE PARK, DRIVE TO CONFEDERATE HALL PARKING LOT:

After entering via the East Gate, first follow Jefferson Davis Drive about a mile, bear right at the fork onto Robert E. Lee Blvd and follow it about another mile, past the West Gate entrance on the right, then look for Confederate Hall parking lot on your left. We'll gather at the "usual AOC meetup spot," by the restroom building at the base of the Walk-Up Trail. 

You can also enter through the West Gate entrance, from Stone Mountain Village. If you enter here, turn right through the gate and you will see the Confederate Hall parking lot on your left.

Free Parking Option!  Park in the village and 1: walk down East Mountain Street, enter the park and find the meeting spot directly in front of you; or 2: from the visitor center "train caboose" next to the police station walk down the bike path to the park and turn left to find the meeting spot