Saturday Morning Hike at Island Ford

Let's get in a 5.5 - 6 miler to start the weekend.  We'll take this hike at a moderate pace, hoping to finish in about two hours.  We'll start at the middle lot and head down toward the river, where we'll then follow the trails to the lollipop loop.  Finishing the loop, we'll return to the inner trails to finish covering the distance.

PAY ATTENTION!! We'll start at the MIDDLE parking lot! This lot is NOT the first lot on the left, nor is it the Visitor Center lot;  rather, it's the lot before you come to the pond, on the left side of the road. .  . about .6 miles from the entrance.   This is a change from our the usual Island Ford hikes that start either in the upper lot or the Visitor's Center lot. 

We'll start the hike promptly at 10:30 am.  Arrive at least 5 minutes early to meet everyone before we start,  and/or to purchase a $3 parking ticket if you don't own an annual pass. If you think you might need to use the restroom before we start, give yourself an extra 15 minutes, as you'll have to drive to the Visitor Center and then drive back to the trailhead parking lot. 

No more than 3 dogs on the hike, so if 3 dogs are already listed, please do not add yours. If you bring your dog, it must be kept on leash at all times.  The reputation of the AOC is damaged when we break the leash law!

1906 Island Ford Pkwy, Sandy Springs, GA

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.

Once you enter the main gate, drive down the road about .6 miles until you see the parking lot on the left, above road level.  There will be a pond on your right if you drive past the lot..

http://www.nps.gov/chat/planyourvisit/upload/TrailMapIslandFord.pdf

Trail Map - http://www.nps.gov/chat/planyourvisit/upload/TrailMapIslandFord.pdf

Don't forget to bring $3 cash for a parking ticket;  change is not available.

Trails can be muddy if there has been recent rain.  Be sure to have shoes with good tread that you don't mind getting dirty.  Waterproof shoes help, too!

WE ARE STARTING THE HIKE IN THE MIDDLE LOT .6 mile from the entrance!!!  If you see the pond on your right, you've passed it!

You can cancel your registration yourself up to 8:30 am before the hike.   After that, please call or text Joyce to cancel:  404-788-4089