Dark and Dinner Repeat: Another Night Hike at Red Top Mountain State Park

Did you want to do this night hike but couldn't manage it on Sept. 24th - - or couldn't make the active list?  Or did you just love the last night hike and want to do another one?  Well, this is your chance to join us!

We have special permission from the park rangers to park in their lot and hike their trails this evening.  How grateful we are for their hospitality!  

Night hikes have a lot to offer - - peace and quiet, different sights and sounds, and a delightful eerieness that is just not available when the sun is shining.  The moon will just be ebbing toward the full moon cycle, so the sky won't be too dark.  However, under the canopy of trees throughout the trail, flashlights/headlamps will be essential.   We'll take a moderate pace so that we keep the risk of tripping and falling to a minimum, though the trails are relatively smooth.  It will be an adventure!

That being said, if you aren't used to hiking 5-6 miles, please do not register for this event.  We can't accommodate stragglers who need to frequently stop and rest, as our group must stay together.  We will call you to discuss the hike if your record of events looks questionable. 

We're allowing 3 hours for the hike to accommodate times that we'll stop, look and listen.  We'll be hiking on three trails during the evening - - the Sweetgum Trail, the Homestead Trail, and the White Tail Trail  (which offers a spectacular view of Lake Allatoona).  

Following the hike, we'll hop into our cars and drive to the 24-hour I-Hop on Main Street in Cartersville, just a couple of minutes west of I-75.  (Those who want to skip dinner and head home are certainly welcome to leave the group after the hike.)

If you don't have a Georgia State Park Pass, there is a $5.00 per car fee. There is a self-service drop-box at a kiosk by our parking lot, where you can pay your fee.  Please make sure you have either $5.00 cash or a check to Red Top Mountain State Park.

We'll start on time, so please be sure you allow ample time for travel.  Since we are being given special permission to hike after hours, we will have to be sure to respect the rangers' cautions to stay together as a group and not wander off alone.  If you are inclined to "do your own thing" on hikes, this is not an appropriate event for you.

Note:  This is NOT the little Visitor Center cabin.  It's the large, modern office building about 3/4 miles down Lodge Road, the road is on the left,  just before you reach the Visitor Center cabin.  If you get to the Visitor Center, you just passed Lodge Rd. - - so turn around and make a right turn onto Lodge Road. 

The park office will be closed, but we'll park in the office lot.  A physical address to use is:
50 Lodge Rd SE, Cartersville, GA 30121

Trail Map:  http://redtopmountainstatepark.org/resources/red-top-mountain-state-park-trail-map.pdf

No bathrooms, but plenty of trees!  (Every tree is a bathroom at night!)

Be sure to bring $5 cash for parking unless you have an annual state park pass.  If you are in a carpool, please share the cost of the parking permit with your driver.