Summit Stone Mountain (summit x 2 fitness hike) plus optional Yoga

Do you plan to stay in town this weekend to do yard work, or taxes, or have just been leaving town too many weekends? Are you looking forward to staying home, sleeping late and enjoying Atlanta in this spring like weather? You still want to get a workout, but the gym just isn't adequate? Well then join the club.

We will hike up to the top of Stone mountain twice. After the 2nd summit we will regroup, then walk together to a place we can do some yoga. If you want, you can opt out of this portion of the event. If you're not capable of getting up the mountain in less than 25 minutes, you should join an easier hike. If you're not sure about how you rate, you can try it on your own, it's local, and there will be other trips scheduled. The intent is to be a fitness hike, so you can go up as fast as you'd like, but if you want to join the yoga portion, bring something to remain comfortable while you wait for the rest of the group.

Nancy is a professional yoga instructor, and has the ability to sooth away tension with her voice alone. The yoga positions she leads us into are suited for beginners, but has the same affect as any advanced yoga I've taken over the years. I believe doing it on the mountain after a good warm up hike is the perfect combination.

This is a steep climb in places, with a total elevation gain of 700x2', most of it in the last third of the hike up. If you're not familiar with the mountain, afraid of heights, or not in good shape, you may want to try this climb on your own first, because the objective is a fitness hike, and we can get spread out due to the varying paces. It's not a tour in other words.

After we regroup, I will lead you to a place where we can relax and start doing yoga. If you want to participate in yoga, I recommend bringing a yoga mat.

We will meet near the Confederate Hall and the start of the walk-up trail behind the large parking lot across from the bathrooms. We will meet 15 minutes prior to the start time so we can leave on time. There is a $10 parking fee to enter the park; however, free public parking is available in Stone Mountain Village. See directions below.

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.

Additional directions and maps can be found at:
http://stonemountainpark.com/default.aspx

I will email all event participants about the status of the hike in case there is a chance of severe weather.