Stone Mountain Sunrise and Cherokee Trail Hike - Saturday Morning

Weather will be Sunny and bright and reach high 70's on Saturday. It's forecasted to range from 50 to 70 degrees during our hike.  This should make for a pretty sunrise.

Sunrise is forecasted to emerge at 7:31a.m. So, we will start our walk around  6:55 am by the bathrooms near Confederate Hall at the base of the walk-up trail. Plan to arrive at least 5 minutes early for check-in and introductions. I plan to hike at a medium pace but you are welcome to go at a comfortable pace that's suitable for yourself.

We will hang out at the top to watch the sunrise.  We could also explore the top of the mountain while waiting, if you're up for it. We will head back down towards the confederate hall and complete a loop around the the mountain via the Cherokee trail with short passages on the connector and nature garden trails.

I made provisions for extra time just in case we spend more time than necessary at top or other interesting areas, but we should be able to complete this event in about 3 hours.

Parking is $15/vehicle, unless you have an annual pass.  If anyone wants to park in stone mountain village I can pick you up on my way in to avoid the parking fees.  :)  Just give me a call. Remember to allocate ample time for this.

FROM I-285 TO THE PARK'S "EAST GATE" ENTRANCE:

From the I-285/ US-78 interchange on the east side of town take U.S. Hwy 78 East about 7.7 miles.  Bear right at Exit #8 to the Stone Mountain Park "East Gate" main entrance where you'll pay $10 for the daily parking fee if you don't display a valid annual pass.  Suggestion, especially if you're new to the Park, ask the gate attendant for a free color map.

ONCE INSIDE PARK, DRIVE TO CONFEDERATE HALL PARKING LOT:

After entering via the East Gate, first follow Jefferson Davis Drive about a mile straight ahead to the big road fork, crossing the lake en route. Bear right onto Robert E. Lee Blvd and follow it about another mile, bearing left to avoid the West Gate exit.  Look for the spacious 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 (about 100 yards toward the mountain from Confederate Hall).  For a zoomable map & aerial view of this spot, click on the red "Location Icon" at the top of this article.

OPTIONAL FREE PARK ENTRANCE FOR PEDESTRIANS & BICYCLISTS:

There's no charge for pedestrians or bicyclists to enter Stone Mountain Park or to enjoy the numerous free attractions inside the Park including the nice trails.  If you don't have an annual Park Pass and wish to save the daily $10 parking fee, there are usually plenty of free parking spots just outside the Park in Stone Mountain Village.   The Village is near the Park's "West Gate" entrance which is quite close to Confederate Hall and the Walk-Up trailhead.  One 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 to the "caboose lot" on your left.  In about 10 minutes you can walk or ride your bike eastward into the Park via the paved PATH trail, turn left on Robt. E. Lee Blvd (for ~300 yard) and join the AOC group at the Walk-Up trailhead.