Kennesaw Mountain - To Big Rock and Back - Wed, Apr 7 2010

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Kennesaw Mountain - To Big Rock and Back


The Basics:
Event Type:Hike
Event Location: Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park
Date(s) & Time:Wed, Apr 7 2010  5:45 pm >> N/A
Registration Opens: Thu, Apr 1 2010 9:25 am
Registration Cut Off: Wed, Apr 7 2010 3:00 pm
Event Duration:2 hours max
Difficulty Rating:D4: Moderate to Difficult
Trip Leader(s):
Danny
Ann
Email Trip Leader(s)
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Member Cost:None

Participant Info:
Who's Invited: Members Only, 21 And Older Only
Maximum Group Size:16
Minimum Group Size:4
Number Registered So Far: 12 / 0 (To see who's signed up, log in to the Member Area)
Are Dogs Permitted: Yes

Itinerary:

Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park is a fantastic and very strenuous area for intown hiking and training.  We will start at the visitor's center.  Don't park in the visitor's center parking lot or your car could get locked in! Also, please look over the directions below to possibly save yourself some time getting there.  After introductions and a quick briefing we will hike the 1.2 miles to the 1808 foot top of Big Kennesaw Mountain which is a climb of about 800 feet. From there we will drop down about 500 feet to the gap between Big Kennesaw and Little Kennesaw Mountain, up and over the hump in the middle which is about a 20 foot climb heading towards Little Kennesaw and about a 50 foot climb heading back, then down to the base of Little Kennesaw.  From there it's about a 300 foot climb to the top of Little Kennesaw at 1601 feet where we will take a very very short break at Fort McBride at the cannons.  After that we'll head down the other side of Little Kennesaw to the Big Rock which is about a 400 foot drop, and then head back the same way we came except we'll do the loop on Little Kennesaw and pay our respects to General French at the rock he hid behind during the battle.

The total hiking distance is about 5 miles, and we'll be hiking at roughly a 3.0 mph pace or more depending on the speed of the group.  The sun goes down quickly so we don't tarry much.  Bring your headlamp just in case.  This is not a stroll in the woods. It is strenuous and heart pumping and is intended to be a midweek workout to keep in shape for D5 weekend trips.  It has more of a bootcamp feel to it than a hike.


Required Items to Bring:
Plenty of water or Gatorade
Good hiking shoes
Snack
Rain gear (Just in case. Rain alone will not force a cancellation of this hike)
Headlanp
Can do attitude!		Recommended Items to Bring:
Use our Event Checklists to make sure you have everything you need.

How to Get There:
Event Directions:1) I-75 North to exit 267B Hwy 5 Canton Road Connector

2) If you are not heading west after getting off of the Interstate you are going the wrong way.  You should be heading towards US 41 and downtown Marietta after getting off of I-75 onto the Canton Road Connector and see Kennesaw Mountain on your right.

3) You will be tempted to take the first exit off of the Canton Road Connector which is US 41, but do not take it.  Proceed over US 41 on a bridge staying on the Canton Road Connector.

4) After crossing US 41 take a right at the first redlight which is Church Street Extenson.

5) You should cross railroad tracks soon.

6) Take a left onto Old 41 at the second redlight.  If you get to US 41 again, you have missed the turn onto Old 41 so turn around.

7) Stay on Old US 41 until you pass in front of the mountain and park on the left or right-hand side of the road after passing the redlight for Stilesboro Road.

Old US 41 is closed in order to replace the CSX railroad bridge.  The signs will guide you take a left onto Stilesboro road.  Don't turn left, but rather head straight through the barricades.  There is room to drive your car through them.  There is a small sign indicating overflow parking beyond the signs so it's okay.  Park beyond the redlight and barricade on either side of the road.

Meet prior to 5:45 PM at the cannon outside the main entrance of the visitor's center or just inside the lobby.  Call the trip leader if you are running late, but please note that we won't wait on you.  You will have to try and catch up with the group if you arrive late.

Notes:
VERY IMPORTANT NOTES:

1) The hike will start as close to on time as possible, so please plan on meeting prior to the start time to sign in.

2) You must park in the area on old US Hwy 41 to prevent being locked in the main parking lot by the ranger.  The road is closed, but you can still drive behind the barricades and park on the side of old US Hwy 41 in what is called the "Overflow Parking Area".  There is a small sign on the barricades that denote the overflow parking area.  Do not park in the visitors center parking lot or you will have to move your car.  The gate will be locked at the 'end of our hike so you cannot park in the parking lot.

3) Allow 5 minutes to walk from old US 41 to the visitors center.

4) Account for potentially bad traffic.

5) No need to call if it rains.  This hike will proceed in the pouring rain and will only ever be cancelled due to weather at hike time.
* We encourage all members to follow our Etiquette Guidelines while participating in AOC events.

Cost Includes:No cost.

Cancellation/Partial Attendance:   Please review the AOC cancellation policy.
*Note: This is a rain or shine hike - we will hike regardless of the weather - except for thunder, tornadoes or earthquakes...