SM Sunrise Hike with INTERNATIONAL SPACE STATION (ISS) Viewing - Tue, Sep 30 2014

REGISTRATION REQUIRED: Once you've reviewed the event details, and decided you'd like to join us, you MUST sign up at the bottom of this page.



SM Sunrise Hike with INTERNATIONAL SPACE STATION (ISS) Viewing


The Basics:
Event Type:Hike
Event Location: Stone Mountain Park   Hike: SM Sunrise Hike with INTERNATIONAL SPACE STATION (ISS) Viewing  National Weather Service Forecast
Date(s) & Time:Tue, Sep 30 2014  5:45 am >> Tue, Sep 30 2014 7:45 am
Registration Opens: Wed, Sep 24 2014 9:00 pm
Registration Cut Off: Mon, Sep 29 2014 9:07 pm
Event Duration:2 Hours
Difficulty Rating:D2: Easy to Moderate
Distance:2 Miles
Pace:Moderate
Trip Leader(s):
Aaron
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Member Cost:None

Participant Info:
Who's Invited: Members Only, 21 And Older Only
Maximum Group Size:20
Minimum Group Size:2
Number Registered So Far: 6 / 0 (To see who's signed up, log in to the Member Area)
Are Dogs Permitted: No

Itinerary:

Join us for another exciting viewing opportunity of the International Space Station, this time right before sunrise!! The station will be in view for a full 5 minutes - weather permitting!!! If the sky is overcast/cloudy I will still run this hike as it is great exercise!!

The hike will begin from the Confederate Center at 5.45 AM (remember to bring a flashlight/headlamp as we will be hiking up in the dark). Sunrise is at 7.30 AM and the ISS will come into view at 6.25AM. After viewing the ISS we will hike slowly down the mountain enjoying the sunrise!

If you have a pair of binoculars you may want to bring them for an even better view.

Please take the time to look at the park map and parking options in order to be on time! As the days are getting cooler please dress appropriately.

Any questions - please call or send me an email.

Thanks Mark R for the photo and borrowing parts of your write up!!


Required Items to Bring:
 
  • Flashlight or headlamp
  • Hiking or trail shoes.
Recommended Items to Bring:
Use our Event Checklists to make sure you have everything you need.
  • Snacks/beverages
  • Camera
  • Binoculars

How to Get There:
Event Directions:

 

GPS Coordinates: 33.81077, -84.16212

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.  Look for the large Confederate Hall parking lot on your left where we park during the hike.  We'll gather at our "usual AOC meetup spot," by the stone restroom building at the base of the Walk-Up Trail

You can also enter through the West Gate entrance, in Stone Mountain Village. If you enter here, turn right through the gate and you're just almost to the Confederate Hall parking lot on your left.

OPTIONAL FREE PARK ENTRANCE FOR PEDESTRIANS & BICYCLISTS:

There's no charge for pedestrians or bicyclists to enter Stone Mountain Park.  There is usually plenty of free parking just outside the Park in the Stone Mountain Village area.  The Village is near the Park's "West Gate" entrance which is quite close to Confederate Hall and the Walk-Up trailhead.  You can park near the railroad tracks and walk about 1/2 mile up East Mountain Street and directly into the park, through a small gate (Note that this gate is often locked soon after sunset and you have to walk out around the nearby West Gate and then left to get back to East Mountain Street.)

Another such free parking lot is the "Red Caboose Visitor Center" lot on the Main Street, which has its own paved walking/biking trail into the Park, much like the Silver Comet Trail. To drive to that lot, get off US-78 (Stone Mtn Freeway) at Exit #5, then bear right to exit again about a half mile ahead, turn left onto E. Ponce de Leon Ave, go through the first traffic light onto Main Street and continue about a half mile and look for the red caboose on your left.  In about 10 minutes you can walk into the Park via the paved PATH trail, turn left on Robt. E. Lee Blvd (for ~300 yards) and join the AOC group at the Walk-Up trailhead. (Note the gate on this PATH trail is often locked soon after sunset).

Additional directions and maps can be found at: 

http://www.stonemountainpark.com/activities/map/overview. aspx

Notes:

There is a $10 daily parking fee to drive into Stone Mountain Park unless you have an annual pass.


* We encourage all members to follow our Etiquette Guidelines while participating in AOC events.


Cancellation/Partial Attendance:   Please review the AOC cancellation policy.