Thanksgiving Morning Fitness Hike at Island Ford

Let's celebrate Thanksgiving with a brisk "before-the-big-meal" hike!  We won't be going to lunch after this hike as we usually do on Thursdays, and we'll be starting earlier than usual, allowing you plenty of time to get showered and ready for the afternoon/evening feast.

This is a fitness hike, so we ramp up the speed and distance.  Please be aware that we'll be pushing ourselves so that we can get in at least 6 miles. We'll be taking just a couple of water breaks, so hydrate well before the hike.

This is NOT a beginner's hike because the brisk pace over rough terrain presents significant challenges that require one to build up speed and endurance. Please be sure you've done some difficult   D2 hikes before you tackle this one.    If you don't have an AOC record of suitable hikes, we'll be contacting you to ascertain your fitness level  We don't want to slow down the group to wait for people who can't keep up the pace, nor do we want to push you beyond your limits.

BE SURE YOU HYDRATE WELL THE DAY BEFORE THE HIKE and bring water/electrolyte drinks to the hike. Adequate fluids are essential.

Please sign up as soon as registration opens, as this hike tends to fill up quickly, and we don't want you to end up on the waiting list.

We'll start at the MIDDLE parking lot. (Hewlett Pond Parking Lot) This lot is NOT the first lot on the left, nor is it the Visitor Center lot;  rather, it's the lot before you come to the pond, on the left side of the road. .  . about .6 miles from the entrance.  We've found that parking in this lot is always light, and it affords a variety of routes to hike.

We'll start the hike promptly at 10:30 am.  Arrive at least 5 minutes early to meet everyone before we start,  and/or to purchase a $3 parking pass if you don't own an annual pass. If you think you might need to use the restroom before we start, give yourself an extra 15 minutes, as you'll have to drive to the Visitor Center and then drive back to the trailhead parking lot. 

BE SURE TO LEAVE VALUABLES AT HOME OR AT LEAST WELL OUT OF SIGHT WHEN HIKING.  CAR BREAK-INS HAVE OCCURRED IN ALL OF THE CNRA AREAS.

No more than 3 dogs on the hike, so if 3 dogs are already listed, please do not add yours. If you bring your dog, it must be kept on leash at all times.  The reputation of the AOC is damaged when we break the leash law!  Please - - no aggressive dogs who might challenge other dogs or people on the hike.

This is an example of a suitable, non-aggressive dog!  :-)

1906 Island Ford Pkwy, Sandy Springs, GA

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.

Once you enter the main gate, drive down the road about .6 miles until you see the parking lot on the left, above road level.  There will be a pond on your right if you drive past the lot.

Trail Map - http://www.nps.gov/chat/planyourvisit/upload/TrailMapIslandFord.pdf.  

Restroom facility is available down the road at the Visitor Center.  Allow an extra 15 minutes to use the bathroom so that you can get back to the middle lot in time to meet your fellow hikers before we start.

Don't forget to bring $3 cash for a parking ticket;  change is not available. (An annual pass can be purchased at the Visitor Center for $35. Lifetime passes are available to seniors over 62.)

Please cancel your registration yourself up to the time of the hike if you can't join us after all.  It puts an unnecessary burden on the trip leaders to ask them to delete your registration before the hike starts.