Kennesaw Mountain to Burnt Hickory and Back plus Noses Creek Loop - 10 miles

We will go up and over Big Kennesaw and Little Kennesaw, then continue down to Burnt Hickory Rd. Then we will cross the road and hike the Noses Creek Loop to Dallas Hwy and back to Burnt Hickory. Then we will retrace our steps back to the Visitor's Center, going over Little Kennesaw and Big Kennesaw again for a total of about 10 miles and a lot of elevation changes.

We will stop occasionally for brief water breaks. About 2/3 of the way through the hike, we will also stop for about 10 minutes for a snack break.

I have not hiked the Noses Creek Loop, so that's why this hike is marked as exploratory. The time and distance listed are estimates.

Please note that we will be staying together as a group for the entire hike. This is not a self-paced hike.

This is a challenging hike due to the elevation gains, the somewhat faster pace, and the rocky terrain. We will be averaging about 2.5 mph or a little faster, so you need to be able to maintain a solid pace with minimal breaks in order to keep up with the group. You should have recent D4 or strong D3 experience to participate in this hike.

Please note that Kennesaw requires a $5 Daily Pass or a $40 Annual Pass, which can be purchased in the Visitor's Center, at an automated machine in the parking lot, or online. America the Beautiful National Parks Passes also can be used at Kennesaw.

https://www.nps.gov/kemo/planyourvisit/fees.htm

Bathrooms and water fountains are available in the Visitor's Center. We will also be able to refill our water bottles at Burnt Hickory. There are no bathrooms once we leave the Visitor's Center, but there are lots of trees.

We will start the hike promptly at 8:00am, so please arrive 10 minutes early for socializing and introductions before the hike. Also, please allow extra time if you need to purchase a parking pass or use the bathroom.

We will meet by the cannon in front of the Visitor's Center.

After the hike, I spend about 15 minutes stretching. You are welcome to join me if you would like. It feels great to stretch out after a long hike.

900 Kennesaw Mountain Drive, Kennesaw, GA 30152

From I-75 North:

Take exit 267B onto SR-5 Spur South toward US-41, Marietta

Turn right onto Church Street Extension NE

Turn left onto Old US-41 Hwy NW

Turn left onto Stilesboro Rd NW

Turn left into the Visitor's Center parking lot.

Note that if the visitor center lot is full, you can park in the overflow parking lot, which is about a 1/4 mile farther north on Old US-41 just west of Stilesboro Rd. The address of that lot is 1200 Old US 41 Hwy NW, Kennesaw, GA 30152.

We will meet by the cannon in front of the Visitor's Center.

Please allow extra time in case you have to park in the overflow parking lot and walk back to the Visitor's Center. See the Directions for more information about that lot.