Stone Mountain - Sunset & Full Moon - D3

Let’s hike Stone Mountain! We will meet at the restrooms near the Historical & Environmental Center (formerly Confederate Hall).  Our journey will include connector trails, cherokee trail, and the walk up trail. Beautiful scenery and lakes on our hike. We will maintain a moderate pace with a few short breaks along the way. Please arrive at least 10 minutes early for introductions and socializing.

This will be sunset and full moon hike. We will circle the mountain first as a group, then self paced on the walk up trail to the top. We will enjoy the sunset and the full moon. After a short time at the top, we will hike back down with our flashlights. The top is windy and cold, so bring a warm jacket.

FYI: Depending on moonrise and scheduling this may not be the exact day of the full moon, but close enough so the moon will appear full to the naked eye. Starting the hike about 3 hours before sunset will give us enough time to circle the mountain and get to the top to enjoy the sunset.

Recent D2+ experience to join the fun.

!This hike is weather dependent, so please check status before leaving your house. Cloudy is OK, but rain on Stone Mountain is treacherous!

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

From the I-285/ US-78 interchange on the east side of town take U.S. Hwy 78 East about 7.7 miles. Bear right at Exit #8 to the Stone Mountain Park "East Gate" main entrance where you'll pay $20 for the daily parking fee if you don't display a valid annual pass. The annual pass is $40 and well worth it if you come here regularly.

ONCE INSIDE PARK, DRIVE TO 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.  Look for the spacious Confederate Hall parking lot on your left where we park during the hike.  We'll gather at our "usual AOC meetup spot," by the stone restroom building at the base of the Walk-Up Trail (about 100 yards toward the mountain from Confederate Hall). 

You can also enter through the West Gate entrance, in Stone Mountain Village. If you enter here, turn right through the gate and you're almost to the Confederate Hall 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 such free parking lot is the "Red Caboose Visitor Center" lot on Main Street, which has its own paved walking/biking trail into the Park, much like the Silver Comet Trail. 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 and 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 our group at the restrooms near  Confederate Hall.