Lakefront Hiking at Overlook Park, just before AOC Picnic at same scenic venue!

IN a NUTSHELL:  This series of three short easy dayhikes has been specially planned to immediately precede our big annual AOC Summer Picnic at "Morgan Falls Overlook Park." See Directions, Parking advice and more Details below.  Members are encouraged also to register for the Picnic.  We can conveniently enjoy both events in a single trip without moving our parked cars. BTW, we hikers who also register for the Picnic are likely to get a "Double-Booking?" auto-email from the Club.  This should be of no concern since the Picnic begins at 5:00, about a half hour after our expected return from the hiking.

WHERE & WHEN?  We'll gather for the series of hikes a few minutes before 2:30 PM on the walkway beside the Info Kiosk at the entrance to the Park's lakeside Dining Pavilion area.  The AOC has reserved space in the huge Pavilion for our annual Summer Picnic which will take place there between ~5:00 and 8:00 PM.  In case the main parking lot at the Park is full, there's normally plenty of free "overflow" parking about 1/4  mile down the hill by the river (as discussed in the Directions below).

MORE about the PARK and our suggested HIKE PLAN:    Morgan Falls Overlook Park is owned and operated by the city of Sandy Springs, having built it about 8 years ago on a beautiful high bluff overlooking "Bull Sluice Lake." The above panoramic photo was taken from a hiking trail on the hill within the Park.  The lake is a wide slow-flowing section of the Chattahoochee River, just upstream of the historic Morgan Falls hydroelectric dam that dates from 1904.  The Park's adjoining woodlands boast several miles of shady hiking trails in addition to the nice walkways, lawns and gardens in the built-up part of the park.
  Our three short hikes will each be an easy to moderate pace, stopping occasionally at various scenic spots along the way to for photos, etc.  Each hike will begin and end at or near the same Kiosk where we initially meet.  No problem if anyone prefers "spliting" early from the group, provided that you let us know you're doing so.
1.  "Park Overview Hike":  We'll explore the grassy lakefront area of the Park and hike the "figure-8 loop" of trails that wind through the forested hillside just above the Park Pavilion.
2:  "Below the Dam":  After walking together via the shoulder of Morgan Falls Rd to the "Hooch" riverbank below the dam, we'll visit a small lake and the creek that feeds it via a "secret trail."
3. "Lakefront Fisherman's Trail":  A shady trail extends from the Park's aquatics outfitter building at least a half mile northeastward along the shore of Bull Sluice Lake.  It will be fun to explore as an optional final hike prior to the Picnic.

OPTIONAL "BYO BOATING":  If you have a kayak, canoe, or inflatable watercraft you may wish to bring it to play with off the Park's dock after the hike, etc. - and if so don't forget your paddle & lifejacket!   SWIMMING in the lake is also OK PROVIDED YOU DO IT FROM YOUR BOAT!  (The Park prohibits swimming directly off the dock.) If you do choose to swim consider wearing your lifejacket and make sure you're easily visible to passing boaters, etc.
  Actually I (Charlie) plan to bring my own sit-on-top kayak + lifejacket & paddle.  Any of you hikers are welcome to take the boat for a spin (+ swim off it, etc.) if you like!

GPS and Maps.Google.com USERS:  You can augment the verbal directions below by entering either of the following as your Destination Address for the Event:
- Street Address of Park: 200 Morgan Falls Rd, Sandy Springs, GA 30530
- Lat/Lon of our meetup spot at Park Info Kiosk: 33.9707,-84.3796

DIRECTIONS from GA-400 EXIT 6, "Northridge Rd" (This exit is about 5 miles N of the GA-400/ I-285 Interchange in N. metro Atlanta and just south of Roswell, GA.)

1. From GA-400 Exit #6 take Northridge Rd westward about 0.6 mile to the traffic light at Roswell Rd.
2. Turn Left onto Roswell Road and go about 1-1/4 mile to the traffic light at Morgan Falls Road.
3. Turn Right onto Morgan Falls Road, go about 1-1/4 mile and look for "Overlook Park" on your Right (just before a very sharp left turn in the road).
4. Turn Right and park in the free Parking Lot (assuming spaces remain). We'll meet   for the hike beside the Info Kiosk near the park's dining pavilion and restroom building.
NOTE:  If this main Overlook Park parking lot is full, continue driving down Morgan Falls Road (about 1/4 mile beyond its sharp left turn) to the gravel riverside area below Morgan Falls Dam.  Parking is normally available there, e.g. at the "Dog Park," and it's about  a 5- to 10-minute walk back up to our meetup spot at the Info Kiosk.

FREE Event with Free Parking.  If you plan to stay after this hike for our AOC Annual Summer Picnic you must pre-register for it and prepay that small event fee.