Re-live your childhood again - Today! - Cherokee/Garden/Connector Trails

Who's game for this mini adventure?? It's the new year, the apocalypse has been averted and mother nature is presenting the perfect conditions to experience your childhood again (i.e. get wet, drenched and muddy) to kick off 2013.  Think of how great that cup of coffee or hot chocolate will taste or how great a hot bath/sleep will feel afterwards.  Yes it's wet, it's actually mostly drizzles, but there's no thunderstorms or lightning in sight and the temperature will be above 50 degrees when we hike. So, bring your rain gear and let's get some good work-out.         
We will be begin the hike at the Confederate Hall parking lot (near the restrooms) and head to the Cherokee trail where we will follow it around Stone Mountain finishing back where we started at the restrooms. On our way, we will branch off under the covered bridge and scramble near the lake for about a quarter to half mile. We will also traverse the longest of Connector trails and the entire Garden trail. 

The hike will be approximately 6.5 miles and may involve some steep or rugged sections so please bring appropriate footwear.

I will allow up to three dogs (assuming well behaved). 

Free parking is available at Stone Mountain Village. It is less than a half mile walk to the park and the West entrance gate is near our meeting area.

If you have any questions please contact Hakeem.

Thanks TonyC for the great picture!!!

Directions To Confederate Hall Parking Lot:

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. Confederate Hall will be on your left. (Careful - there's a stop sign in front of Confederate Hall for those entering the West Gate.) The parking lot will be immediately after. Wait for the group near the walk up trail. 


 
Free public parking in Stone Mountain Village

(Please note: The MARTA lot is currently closed. Use directions below only as a guide into Stone Mountain Village and look for parking elsewhere in the Village - Plenty closer to the train tracks on Main Street and on 5th street, according to reliable sources). Alternatively, You can park at the Stone Mountain Visitor Center Lot, next  to the Police Station, on Main Street. There's a trail that takes you into the Park from this lot. Turn left at the end of this trail to go to Confederate Hall meeting point.

From Hwy 78 take exit 5 - stay right for a half mile - then a quick exit to E. Ponce/Stone Mtn. Village. At the end of the ramp turn left. Drive a mile or so into town. Turn left on East Mountain. Turn right on Fourth Street. There you will find the MARTA park and ride.   -    For GPS use 995 4th St, Stone Mountain, GA 30083

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