Kick off the Weekend (Even Sooner!) at Stone Mountain

Note: this event was rescheduled from Friday on account of rainy forecast.

Let's kick off the weekend early with a lunchtime summit of Stone Mountain.  We will meet in front of the restroom building near the walk-up trail a few minutes before 12:00 noon and hike up Stone Mountain.  Plan to arrive a few minutes early to circle up and introduce ourselves, as we will begin hiking promptly at 12:00.  After introductions we'll begin our ascent.  Although we will begin on the trail marked with the yellow lines, we will soon veer off to the left and take "the path less traveled."  And that will make all the difference.  

If you've only taken the marked trail up to the top, you are in for a treat.  The path less traveled winds through pine trees and rock outcroppings, narrowing in places to require single-file hiking.  As we near the top, we'll rejoin any climbers following the marked trail and complete our ascent.  After drinking in the view for a few moments, we will return down the same way we came.  Parting ways at the restroom building at the completion of our descent, we will depart refreshed and ready to continue the remainder of the weekend. 

It is usually breezy and a bit cooler on top of the mountain, so you may wish to bring a hat and additional layers to increase your comfort.

GPS Coordinates: 33.81076800026398, -84.16212379932403

Parking in the Stone Mountain Lot:  $10 per day.  Annual pass is $35.  Discount if you purchase more than one Annual Pass at a time.

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. Confederate Hall will be on your left. The parking lot will be immediately after. We’ll meet behind Confederate Hall near the walk up trail.

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 just about in the Confederate Hall parking lot.

OPTIONAL FREE PARK ENTRANCE FOR PEDESTRIANS & BICYCLISTS:

There's no charge for pedestrians or bicyclists to enter Stone Mountain Park or to enjoy the numerous free attractions inside the Park including the nice trails.  If you don't have an annual Park Pass and wish to save the daily $10 parking fee, there are usually plenty of free parking spots just outside the Park in Stone Mountain Village.  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 up East Mountain Street and directly into the park.

Another such free parking lot is the "Red Caboose Visitor Center" lot on the 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 to the "caboose lot" on your left.  In about 10 minutes you can walk or ride your bike eastward into the Park via the paved PATH trail, turn left on Robt. E. Lee Blvd (for ~300 yard) and join the AOC group at the Walk-Up trailhead.

Additional directions and maps can be found at: 

http://www.stonemountainpark.com/activities/map/overview.aspx

Be Aware:  Put all your personal belongings out of sight in your vehicle.  Lock your vehicle.