Summit Sunrises: Stone Mountain - Sat, Apr 23 2011

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Summit Sunrises: Stone Mountain


The Basics:
Event Type:Hike
Event Location: Stone Mountain Park
Date(s) & Time:Sat, Apr 23 2011  5:30 am >> N/A
Registration Opens: Thu, Apr 21 2011 8:00 am
Registration Cut Off: Sat, Apr 23 2011 4:00 am
Event Duration:per itinerary
Difficulty Rating:D2: Easy to Moderate
Trip Leader(s):
Tony C
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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:2
Number Registered So Far: 6 / 0 (To see who's signed up, log in to the Member Area)
Are Dogs Permitted: No

Itinerary:
Who says that Saturday is for sleeping in late...lets get up early (or stay up all night Friday) and try to score a sweet sunrise from the top of Stone Mountain.

The Plan:  

Sunrise is at 6:58AM and the Park gates open at 6:00AM, so that should give us plenty of time to get in there and up there without having to rush too much.   We will meet at the Marta Park & Ride lot at 5:30AM and start the short .8 mi walk to the West Gate, so we can be there right when the doors open.  Then we can stream in (no running please) and get to the walkup trail and up we go.

If you have a St Mtn Parking pass and would rather meet us at the walkup trail at 6:10 AM, that's fine too...but we are heading up no later than that time.  If you are late, you can just catch up though...no big deal as this trail is very easy to follow.

The hike up is 1 mile and gains about 670 feet.  Everyone can go at their own pace and then we can collect at the top and watch the sunrise.   Hopefully we will have some clouds to enhance the scene (but not too many of course).

After the sunrise, it's up to you if you want to head home or hang out on the summit or perhaps check out some of the Cherokee Trail.  Your trip leader will probably head home to take a nap, but depends on the mood and energy level of the moment.

This is definitely a weather dependent event and if somehow the forecast changes and it is supposed to be overcast or rainy, we will just reschedule for another day.  So check the AOC website and/or your email before you leave in the morning to see if the hike is still on.


Required Items to Bring:
• Comfortable shoes with good traction

Recommended Items to Bring:
Use our Event Checklists to make sure you have everything you need.
• Camera
• Water
• Breakfast snack

How to Get There:
Event Directions:DIRECTIONS: To the main entrance- From I-285 take U.S. Hwy 78 East (Snellville/Athens) exit. Travel about 7 miles and take Exit 8, the Stone Mountain Park Main Entrance. After entering the main entrance, proceed straight ahead. The road will fork at about 1 mile – stay to the right. Continue to follow the road for another mile to the Confederate Hall parking lot which will be on your left. We’ll meet (at 6:10 AM) in front of the Whistle Stop Station restroom area, which is just beyond the parking lot.

FREE PARK AND WALK: For free public parking in Stone Mountain Village, from Hwy 78 take exit 5 and merge onto GA 10. Proceed 0.5 miles to the first exit. At the end of the ramp turn left. Drive a mile or so, past a gas station and a funeral parlor (both on your right). When you see City Hall turn left. There is a Marta park-and-ride between 4th and 5th streets. From there it is a short walk on East Mountain Street. Enter the park through the gate and you'll be at the parking lot where we'll be meeting.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES: For more information about Stone Montain Park, go to:
http://www.stonemountainpark.com/

(Thanks to TL Kiran for help with the directions)

Notes:
This is definitely a weather dependent event and if somehow the forecast changes and it is supposed to be overcast or rainy, we will just reschedule for another day. So check the AOC website and/or your email before you leave in the morning to see if the hike is still on.


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


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