Friday Morning at East Palisades

This is a special hike...  we're celebrating Susan F.'s 300th event!  She's a special friend to all who know her - - and an instant friend to all who meet her for the first time.  Whether you know Susan or not, you are welcome to join us to hike this beautiful unit of the CNRA.  It's truly a must-see area!
 
East Palisades offers several miles of trails that connect to a scenic overlook that provides excellent views of the Devil's Racecourse Shoals.  The rugged granite palisades were called the Devil's Stairsteps during the 19th century by river boatmen because the shoals "were the devil" to navigate.  We will hike 4-5 miles of the trails in this section of the Chattahoochee NRA including sections along the river and the bamboo forest.  We'll try to avoid some of the steeper, more rugged hills, though there will be some elevation changes.  We will be hiking at a moderate pace, so it won't be too strenuous.  If you've done several D2 hikes in hilly areas, come give it a try.  We will stop as needed to rest and perhaps take a few pictures and we won't leave anyone behind!  :-)

Please remember to bring $3 cash for the National Park Service parking fee, unless you have a Chattahoochee NRA annual pass.

If you bring your dog, it should be able to keep up with the group and interact well with other dogs and people. The Chattahoochee NRA requires that owners keep their dogs on a leash and clean up after their pets on the trails.  I'm requesting that dogs be kept on leash during the hike for the comfort of our other members.  A maximum of three dogs will be permitted on this hike.

We'll meet at the Whitewater Road entrance to the unit. 

From I -285 East
- Take exit 22, Northside Drive, New Northside Drive, Powers Ferry Road.
- Right on Northside Drive.
- Go through the Powers Ferry intersection for 1.6 miles to Harris Trail (Caution light).
- Right on Harris Trail and .9 mile to Whitewater Creek Road.
- Right and entrance will be on the right (.1 mile).

From I-285 West
- Take exit 22, Northside Drive, New Northside Drive, Powers Ferry Road.
- Straight to second traffic light.
- Left on Northside Drive, through the Powers Ferry Road intersection for 1.6 miles to Harris Trail (caution light).
- Right on Harris Trail and .9 miles to Whitewater Creek Road.
- Right and travel.1 mile to the entrance on the right.

From I-75 North
- Take exit 256, Mt. Paran Road.
- Right on Mt. Paran Road to first traffic light (Harris Trail)
- Left on Harris Trail to Whitewater Creek Road
- Right about .4 miles to the unit which is on the left.

From U.S. 41 (Cobb Highway South)
- Travel to Mt. Paran Road
- Right on Mt. Paran Road, go to the first traffic light (Harris Trail) and turn left.
- Go about .3 miles turn left onto Whitewater Creek Road.
- Go .4 miles to the unit, which is on the left.

From U.S. 41 (Cobb Highway North)
- Travel to Mt. Paran Road
- Turn left on Mt. Paran Road, go to the first traffic light (Harris Trail) and turn left.
- Go about .3 miles turn left onto Whitewater Creek Road.
- Go .4 miles to the unit, which is on the left.

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

Remember to bring $3.00 cash for a parking pass, unless you have an annual pass to the CNRAreas.

No bathroom facilities at this location, though there are plenty of trees!  Don't be afraid to ask us to stop if you need a break.

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