**Newcomer Hike - Meet the Member Ambassadors at Island Ford

 The 2014 AOC Member Ambassadors would like to invite our newer members out to meet us. This is a great opportunity to come out and see what the AOC is all about. The most noteworthy feedback received from previous "Meet the Officers" newcomers hikes was that new members liked coming out because they knew they weren't going to be the only brand new person there. We are there to meet you, give you some tips about the AOC and answer any questions you have.

Island Ford is a wonderful intown hiking area. It is amazing to me that such beautiful scenery can be found so close to civilization.  We will meet at the Park Headquarters parking lot, then venture north along the Chattahoochee River before turning west along Summerbrook Creek.  We will continue tromping through the woods and over a couple of bridges until we reach the newer section of the trail.  We will backtrack just a short distance before branching off along Beech Creek.  For the final section of the hike we will meander along the river, then stop at a scenic vantage point to bask in the twilight alongside the river.  

This is a four mile hike, and while there will be just a little bit of elevation change, it is still perfect for the newcomer to hiking. We will take our time and stay together as a group so please, if you are wanting a power hike, this is not for you!

While we certainly love spending time with our experienced hikers, we will use the following method to assist our newer members in reserving a spot on this newcomer hike: We will open registration immediately and close it about a week before the hike. All registrants will automatically be placed on the waiting list (this is on purpose). The weekend before the hike, the top 18 people with the fewest events will be moved to the confirmed list. We will send a confirmation email to notify those who make the list. Of course, if new members do not fill up the slots, we will welcome our established members!

If you bring your dog, it should be able to keep up with the group and interact well with other dogs and people. Make sure you bring a leash and clean up after your dog. 

Thanks Tony C for the picture!
 

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.

*** Proceed straight back approx. 1.1 mi. to Park Headquarters parking lot.***

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.

   *** Proceed straight back approx. 1.1 mi. to Park Headquarters parking lot.***

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

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