Christmas Hike at Island Ford D3 (all levels are welcome to join)

All levels are welcome to try this D3 hike! 

Hey everyone, it is Christmas, so let us go the distance at one of my favorite Chattahoochee Parks - “Island Ford”.  While this trail is not a mountain trail, there are some moderate slopes, rocky terrain, and narrow trails which give this trail just enough character to make it fun, challenging and rewarding.     

For this event, we will cover 7 miles of trail at a fast pace. However, if you are a d1 or d2 hiker and would like to advance to the next level or try hiking greater distance at a faster pace please join me. This is an awesome trail and we will loop back to the parking lot a time or two if someone needs to abort.   (To get credit for the D3 hike you must complete the entire 7 miles with us).  

With this in mind, our Sunday Afternoonn Christmas  hike will start at the visitor’s center as we make our way through all of the trails at a fast pace. We will not be running this trail, but definitely plan to get some exercise. We will start at the visitor’s center walk all of the trails and loop back a time or two to get our exercise and mileage in. With this in mind, I have listed this hike as a D3 , so this is not for people that have not hiked before.  The pace will be fast 3.0-3.5 with only a few short breaks to catch our breath and take some photos.  

We are starting at the visitor’s center.  For those of you who have not been here before, the lot to the visitor’s center is about ½ mile down the main road (entrance to the park). You will pass two parking lots on your left before finally reaching the lot where we will meet.  Keep driving until the road ends!

Looking forward to hiking with everyone on  Christmas Sunday!!

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

Park at the Visitor's Center - the last lot on your left as you follow the road for about 1/2 mile past the entrance

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

We will start the hike promptly at 2 pm.  Arrive 5 minutes early to purchase a pass and to check in.

Please be reminded that this area requires a $3 (cash) parking pass if you don't already own an annual pass.  No change is available.