A Partially Silent Hike Around Stone Mountain

Join us for a partially silent hike around Stone Mountain and through the meadow on the Songbird Habitat trail. Hiking in silence gives us a chance to immerse ourselves in nature and connect more fully to the world around us.

We will start our hike at the base of the walk-up trail and head counter-clockwise around the mountain on the Cherokee Trail. Then we will turn south to the Songbird Habitat trail and loop around the meadow before returning to the Cherokee Trail, where we will continue our circuit around the mountain.

We can talk to our fellow hikers as normal for about the first 30 minutes of the hike, and then once we reach the Songbird Habitat trail, we will begin hiking in silence. This silence will continue through the Songbird Habitat and while we hike along the lake on the Cherokee trail, lasting for approximately an hour in total. At that point, we will be free to resume conversing with others as much as we wish for the remainder of the hike.

We will be averaging a little faster than moderate pace. 

Please arrive early for parking and introductions. There is an overflow lot across the street if the walk-up trail lot is full.

We will meet in front of the bathrooms across from the Historical & Environmental Education Center (formerly known as Confederate Hall) at the bottom of the walk-up trail.

https://stonemountainpark.com/ maps/

FROM I-285 TO THE PARK'S "EAST GATE" ENTRANCE:
From the I- 285/US-78 interchange take US-78 East about 7.7 miles. Take Exit #8 to the Stone Mountain Park main entrance (aka the East Gate). The entrance fee is $20 for a day pass or $40 for an annual pass.

ONCE INSIDE PARK, DRIVE TO HISTORICAL & ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION CENTER (formerly Confederate Hall) PARKING LOT:
After entering via the East Gate, first follow Jefferson Davis Drive about a mile straight ahead to the big road fork, crossing the lake en route. Bear right onto Robert E. Lee Blvd and follow it about another mile, bearing left to avoid the West Gate exit. Then turn left into the H&EEC parking lot. We'll gather at the "usual AOC meetup spot," by the restrooms 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'll see the H&EEC parking lot on your left.

OPTIONAL FREE PARK ENTRANCE FOR PEDESTRIANS & BICYCLISTS:
There's no charge for pedestrians or bicyclists to enter Stone Mountain Park. There is usually plenty of free parking just outside the Park in the Stone Mountain Village area. The Village is near the Park's "West Gate" entrance which is quite close to Confederate Hall and the Walk-Up trailhead. You can park near the railroad tracks and walk about 1/2 mile up East Mountain Street and directly into the park, through a small gate.
Another free parking lot is the "Red Caboose Visitor Center" lot on Main Street, which has its own paved walking/biking trail into the Park. To drive to that lot, get off US-78 (Stone Mtn Freeway) at Exit #5, then bear right to exit again about a half mile ahead, turn left onto E. Ponce de Leon Ave, go through the first traffic light onto Main Street, continue about a half mile and look for the red caboose on your left. In about 10 minutes you can walk into the Park via the paved PATH trail, turn left on Robt. E. Lee Blvd (for ~300 yards) and join the AOC group at the Walk-Up trailhead.

We will meet in front of the bathrooms across from the Historical & Environmental Education Center (formerly known as Confederate Hall) at the bottom of the walk-up trail.

The entrance fee is $20 for a day pass or $40 for an annual pass. You might as well buy an annual pass so you can come on more AOC events.