Kennesaw - Mountain Pass, Hardage Trail and Illinois Monument - Sun, May 26 2024

REGISTRATION REQUIRED: Once you've reviewed the event details, and decided you'd like to join us, you MUST sign up at the bottom of this page.



Kennesaw - Mountain Pass, Hardage Trail and Illinois Monument


The Basics:
Event Type:Hike
Event Location: Kennesaw Mountain National Park   Hike: Kennesaw - Mountain Pass, Hardage Trail and Illinois Monument  National Weather Service Forecast
Date(s) & Time:Sun, May 26 2024  8:00 am >> Sun, May 26 2024 1:00 pm
Registration Opens: Mon, May 20 2024 6:00 pm
Registration Cut Off: Sat, May 25 2024 4:00 pm
Event Duration:5 Hours
Difficulty Rating:D5: Difficult
Distance:13 Miles
Pace:Moderate
Trip Leader(s):
Kip
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Member Cost:None

Participant Info:
Who's Invited: Members Only, 21 And Older Only
Maximum Group Size:10
Minimum Group Size:4
Number Registered So Far: 9 / 0 (To see who's signed up, log in to the Member Area)
Are Dogs Permitted: No

Itinerary:

We will start at the Visitor Center and hike over Big and Little Kennesaw Mountains to Burnt Hickory Road.  

We will hike south from Burnt Hickory, turn right on the Hardage Trail and hike to the end at Dallas Highway.  We will cross Whitlock Avenue and hike to the Illinois monument.  After a lunch break at the monument we will hike the trail to the activity area and loop back along the Cheatam Hill Trail to Whitlock Avenue.  We will hike the Noses Creek Trail and Salem Church trail then cross back over the mountain again to the Visitor Center.  Be aware - there are no restroom facilities available after leaving the Visitor Center - only trees.

The average pace of this hike will be  2.8+ mph, a little slower on the two passes over the mountain.

Due to the length of the hike we will stay together as a group throughout the hike.

Attendees must have recent D4 experience and sufficient endurance for a 12+ mile hike. 


Required Items to Bring:

Hiking shoes or boots

Water or energy drinks, enough for a long hike

Snacks

Recommended Items to Bring:
Use our Event Checklists to make sure you have everything you need.

Hiking poles


How to Get There:
Event Directions:
We'll meet at the Kennesaw Mountain Visitor Center, 900 Kennesaw Mountain Dr, Kennesaw, GA 30188. (The visitor center is near the intersection of Old Highway 41 NW and Stilesboro Road NW.)
 
Please arrive a little early in case the visitor center lot is full and you need to park at the overflow lot located a short distance away on Old Highway 41 NW.  We will meet on the Visitor Center porch at 9:20 for introductions and hike instructions.
 
** Late lunch and drinks at the Marietta Melt Yard (optional) **
 

Notes:

There is a $5 parking fee at both the Visitor Center and overflow lots, unless you have an annual pass.  Be sure to display your annual or day pass on your dashboard, as both lots are routinely monitored by park employees.


* We encourage all members to follow our Etiquette Guidelines while participating in AOC events.


Cancellation/Partial Attendance:   Please review the AOC cancellation policy.