Island Ford *National Park Week*

April 22 - 26 is fee free week at most National Parks, including the Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area. If you didn't know, there are lots of very popular parks all along the Chattahoochee River. If you haven't been to these parks before, now is your chance to try any or all of them for free. I'm launching a series of hikes this week that will introduce you to most of the popular CNRA hiking trails. I would love it if you would come join me. You'll be amazed at what is right in your own backyard.
 
For each hike in the series, the difficulty and pace will vary as will the starting times. There are some daytime hikes and some evening hikes. I've tried to hit all sorts of different times throughout the day so hopefully at least one hike will fit it to everyones schedules. There are hikes ranging from a moderately paced D2 on which beginners are welcome all the way to a fast paced D3 hike that borderlines a fitness pace and is intended for intermediate to advanced skill hikers. On Friday, I'm doing two hikes at Island Ford which is the Park Headquarters. If you have done one or two of the hikes during the week and really like what you see, please consider signing up for a Friday hike at Island Ford and coming a few minutes early (or staying a few minutes late after the daytime hike) and purchasing a yearly pass at the Rangers Office. The pass is $25 and if you are even a slightly active AOC member; the pass will pay for itself in no time.

About this hike in a nutshell: This will be a D3 moderately paced hike. This is not a beginner hike. We will cover between 5 and 6 miles with limited breaks. You can purchase an annual pass at the Visitor's Center before or after this hike. This hike will depart from the Visitor's Center/Ranger's Station at the back of the park. Come all the way to the back of the park. You will pass two other parking lots on your left and the road will dead end in to the Visitor's Center/Ranger's Station.

I've enlisted some of my fellow Trip Leaders to participate in this series, so each hike will have an awesome co-lead on it. My co-lead extraordinaire for this hike will be Joyce. She has been my ever faithful co-lead on many events. She is one of our Member Ambassadors and does a great job of making sure everyone feels welcome. She has been known to take pictures, get lost, take pictures, lock her keys in her car, take pictures, lose her camera, take pictures, fall on the trail, take pictures and laugh a lot. She also likes to take a lot of pictures.

 
I will stagger the starting times for Registration by only a few minutes for each of these hikes so everyone has a fair shot of signing up. This is especially helpful if you plan on signing up for more than one hike. As always, remember...you should try to sign up as close to Registration opening as you can. The early bird does get the worm at AOC.   :)
 
Parking may be a little bit heavier than usual so please plan to arrive early so you can get a spot. We will depart for each hike at the posted starting time.

You're welcome to bring your dog but please follow the rules. The Chattahoochee NRA requires that owners keep their dogs on a leash and clean up after their pets on the trails. Please cooperate with the posted rules. Dogs MUST be on leash at all times for this event

We will start on time, so please arrive 5-10 minutes early to check in.  Restrooms are available at this trailhead. 

From northbound US 19 and GA 400
- Take exit #6 (Northridge Road).
- Coming off the exit, stay in the right lane, cross over GA 400, and turn right onto Dunwoody Place.
- Go 0.5 miles to Roberts Drive.
- Turn right and proceed 0.7 miles to the park entrance on your right.

From southbound US 19 and GA 400
- Take exit #6 (Northridge Road)
- Continue straight ahead at the traffic light onto Dunwoody Place.
- Go 0.5 miles to Roberts Drive.
- Turn right and proceed 0.7 miles to the park entrance on your right.

http://www.nps.gov/chat/planyourvisit/islandford.htm

Trail Map - http://www.nps.gov/chat/planyourvisit/upload/2006IslandF ordB&W.pdf