Mason Mill Park After-Work Hike - Coolest Evening of the Week! - Mon, Aug 15 2011

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Mason Mill Park After-Work Hike - Coolest Evening of the Week!


The Basics:
Event Type:Urban Hike
Event Location: Parks off Clairmont Rd, 2 miles S of I-85 in NE Atlanta   Urban Hike: Mason Mill Park After-Work Hike - Coolest Evening of the Week!   National Weather Service Forecast
Date(s) & Time:Mon, Aug 15 2011  6:30 pm >> Mon, Aug 15 2011 8:30 pm
Registration Opens: Fri, Aug 12 2011 10:00 pm
Registration Cut Off: Mon, Aug 15 2011 12:30 pm
Event Duration:2 Hours
Difficulty Rating:D2: Easy to Moderate
Distance:4 Miles
Pace:Moderate
Trip Leader(s):
Charlie Cottingham
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Member Cost:None

Participant Info:
Who's Invited: Members Only, 21 And Older Only
Maximum Group Size:20
Minimum Group Size:4
Number Registered So Far: 8 / 0 (To see who's signed up, log in to the Member Area)
Are Dogs Permitted: No

Itinerary:
OVERVIEW:  The weather is shaping up nicely for this Monday evening, with expected temperatures in the mid-80s and a nice breeze -- almost "chilly" by this summer's standards!  Also, hardly any chance of rain.
  Mason Mill and Medlock Parks are two adjoining DeKalb County parks just east of Clairmont Road that are connected via a network of scenic shady hiking/biking trails.  The mile-long "South Peachtree Creek" trail is the main trail linking the two parks.  Much like the Silver Comet, it features a half-mile raised wooden deck through the forest canopy that traverses the creek. Another high wooden walkway crosses the railroad tracks and gives hikers nice views of the historic ruins of the early 20th Century "Decatur Waterworks."

HIKE PLAN:  We'll meet at 6:30PM in the upper parking lot at Mason Mill Park (just past the stone Park sign)—see detailed directions below.  After introductions and roll call we'll hike together via the pretty trail system to Medlock Park, stopping often to regroup and to enjoy the scenery and take photos.  Our total distance will be about 4 miles with just a few steep sections.  By dusk at about 8:30 we should be finished hiking and back at our cars at Mason Mill Park.

Required Items to Bring:

• Wear comfortable well-broken-in Athletic Shoes or Hiking Boots and comfortable Lightweight Clothing appropriate for the weather.  If you have a pair of Trekking Poles, consider bringing them since part of our route will be a bit steep.  A simple Hiking Stick works about as well.

• Hydrate in advance and carry in your Daypack or Fanny Pack a filled Water Bottle or your "Camelbak" or other hydration system.  Consider also bringing a Snack or piece of Fruit to munch on during the hike.

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

• Consider bringing your Camera.  Lots of nice photo-ops!

How to Get There:
Event Directions:FROM the "SPAGHETTI JUNCTION" I-85 / I-285 INTERCHANGE in NE METRO ATLANTA:

1) Take I-85 South toward Atlanta about 4 miles and get off at Exit #91 "Clairmont Road."

2) Turn Left onto Clairmont Road (US-23 southward toward Decatur) and go about 2.3 miles to the traffic light at McConnell Drive. (This is the first light south of the much busier junction and light at North Druid Hills Road).

3) Turn Left onto McConnell Drive, go 0.1 mile ahead and turn Right at the stop sign to stay on McConnell (following signs toward Mason Mill Park and DeKalb Tennis Center).

4) About another 0.1 mile ahead, AVOID the first couple of left turns into the Park and look for a STONE "Mason Mill Park" sign on your left just beyond "Life Enrichment Services"  and partially obscured by shrubbery.  We'll gather at 6:30 PM in the "upper" parking lot just behind that stone sign that overlooks the colorful Park playground.  (If you reach the Tennis Center you've gone a bit too far)

FOR A MAP or CUSTOM DIRECTIONS from your specific point of departure: Go to Google.com/maps and input as your destination the following "dummy address" of the upper Mason Mill Park parking lot:
  1280 McConnell Drive, Decatur, GA 30033

This address or its Lat/Lon Coordinates below may be useful as a destination for your vehicle's onboard GPS navigation system.
  33.8076,-84.3072


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

Cost Includes:Free Event with Free Parking!

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