Autumnal Equinox Sunrise and Cherokee Trail Hike

The autumnal equinox officially marks the beginning of autumn in the Northern Hemisphere and spring in the Southern Hemisphere. At the beginning of autumn and spring, the days are divided neatly into a 12-hour day and night. Let's say farewell to the heat of summer, and hello to falling leaves and crisp autumn air.

We will meet in front of the Confederate Hall restrooms a few minutes before 6:40 am for brief introductions before we head to the top to wait for the sun to make her appearance. Sunrise time is 7:25 am. We'll ascend via the main walk-up trail. Once atop, we'll settle in to watch the sun rise and celebrate the changing of seasons.

After enjoying Mother Nature's performance, we will descend most of the way back down the mountain and pick up the Cherokee Trail. We'll circumnavigate the mountain at a moderate to fast pace before ending back at Confederate Hall.

Although there will be some early morning twilight, please bring a headlamp or flashlight.  

*(Actual exact time for the equinox is 3:40 am Monday, but we won't be climbing Stone Mountain then). 

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 $20 for the daily parking fee if you don't display a valid annual pass. 

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). 

You can also enter through the West Gate entrance, in Stone Mountain Village. If you enter here, turn right through the gate and you're almost to the Confederate Hall parking lot on your left.

OPTIONAL FREE PARK ENTRANCE FOR PEDESTRIANS & BICYCLISTS:
There's no charge for pedestrians or bicyclists to enter Stone Mountain Park. There is usually plenty of free parking just outside the Park in the Stone Mountain Village area. The Village is near the Park's "West Gate" entrance which is quite close to Confederate Hall and the Walk-Up trailhead. You can park near the railroad tracks and walk about 1/2 mile up East Mountain Street and directly into the park, through a small gate.
Another such free parking lot is the "Red Caboose Visitor Center" lot on 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 and look for the red caboose on your left. In about 10 minutes you can walk into the Park via the paved PATH trail, turn left on Robt. E. Lee Blvd (for ~300 yards) and join the AOC group at the Walk-Up trailhead. 
Additional directions and maps can be found at:
http://www.stonemountainpark.com/activities/map/overview. aspx