Bouldering Hike along the Metro Hooch meeting by Ray’s on the River

SPECIAL CAUTIONARY NOTE:  This event is intended only for experienced hiker-boulderers in good physical condition who feel comfortable climbing unroped up and down high rocky cliffs and don't mind bushwhacking through rugged brushy terrain.  We consider this event a "D6 adventure" not for its distance or elevation gain but rather for its inherent elements of danger. 

IN A NUTSHELL:  Some of you AOC adventurers who did metro-Hooch bouldering and cliff climbing hikes with me in 2009, 2011 or 2012 have requested that we offer a similar hike this spring.  Please join me for this shorter 3-hour version of the event in some of the lesser known parts of the gorgeous East Palisades unit of the CRNRA (Chattahoochee River Nat'l Recreation Area) just downstream of I-285.  Saturday afternoon's weather forecast looks great!  Partly sunny in the 70s with virtually no chance of rain.

BACKGROUND:  The ruggedly steep and beautiful East and West Palisades units of the CRNRA are among the most popular of all North Georgia public areas for outdoor recreation.  On opposite sides of the River between I-285 and US-41, the Palisades have been enjoyed on hundreds of AOC dayhikes over the years and make a spectacular wilderness backdrop for our "Happy Hour on the Hooch" floats in our kayaks, canoes and inflatables.

For safety reasons, the CRNRA's official marked trail system avoids routes that take hikers up and over the numerous palisades (steep rocky cliffs) that rise from the water's edge.  Despite this, adventurous local boulderers over the years have made numerous indistinct trails that connect to the trail system and make it possible to hike and climb quite close to the riverbank on either side of the entire 3-mile length of the River through the Palisades.

HIKE PLAN:  We'll gather for the adventure at 2:00 PM in the free rear parking lot adjoining the "Ray's on the River" restaurant on Powers Ferry Road (near the I-285 bridge over the river)  - see detailed directions below.   After introductions and a "clothing/boots/gear check" we'll first hike downstream along the East Palisades riverbank to the famous "jumping rock."  From there we may ascend eastward up to the 1000' (elevation above sea level) overlook.  On the return trip back up-river to our vehicles at Ray's we'll take a slightly different route.

In order to hike directly along the riverbank from Ray's to the jumping rock we must cross several spots where “bouldering” (climbing over rocky cliffs) is required.  Also we may choose to actually wade in the river in a few spots, so be prepared to get your shoes and legs wet!

FOR ARCHIVE WRITEUPS of our past AOC HOOCH-SIDE BOULDERING HIKES, go to:
http://www.atlantaoutdoorclub.com/events/archivedetails.asp?eventid=1578
http://www.atlantaoutdoorclub.com/events/archivedetails.asp?eventid=3861
http://www.atlantaoutdoorclub.com/events/archivedetails.asp?eventid=5695

FOR MORE ON THE CHATTACHOOCHEE RIVER NRA: Go to http://www.nps.gov/chat and for free printable trail maps of the East and West Palisades and Paces Mill units go to: http://www.nps.gov/chat/planyourvisit/maps.htm

WE'LL MEET IN THE FREE "RAY'S ON THE RIVER" REAR PARKING LOT just beyond their main entrance.  This is on the east bank of the Chattahoochee about 300 yards downstream of the I-285 bridge and directly across the River from the famous old "Riverbend" complex.  For a zoomable map and satellite view of this meetup spot click on the square blue & green "Event Location" icon near the top of this article. That icon also gives you Lat/Lon coordinates of our meetup spot for use with GPS navigation or Google.com/maps.

IF DRIVING EASTWARD ON I-285 FROM THE I-75 INTERCHANGE in NW ATLANTA:

1. Get off I-285 at Exit #22, “Northside Drive, New Northside Drive, Powers Ferry Road.”
2. Turn Right onto Northside Drive and go just 0.1 mile to the next light.
3. Turn Right onto Powers Ferry Road and go 0.6 mile to the "Ray's on the River" sign (last left before you reach the Chattahoochee River).
4. Turn Left into the Ray's parking lot and proceed about 0.1 mile all the way to the rearmost parking spaces beyond the restaurant entrance.  We'll park there during the hike. 

IF DRIVING WESTWARD ON I-285 FROM  SANDY SPRINGS, SPAGHETTI JCN, etc:

1. Get off I-285 at Exit #22 “New Northside Drive/ Powers Ferry Rd” and at the end of the exit ramp continue straight ahead about 0.2 mile to the traffic light at Northside Drive.
2. Turn Left onto Northside Drive and go 0.2 mile to the traffic light at Powers Ferry Road.
3. Now carefully follow Directions #3 and #4 above to reach the rearmost parking spaces at Ray's.

Free Event with Free Parking at "Rays on the River!"