West Palisades Beach, Creek and Ridge

We look forward to a brisk tour of West Palisades for a weekday wake-up! We'll start off from the ridge and head to the N end of the area on the river, pause briefly, then hike along the river and back to the ridge. (We pass by toilets twice). Our first significant break will be at the river overlook, which is blocked by leaves this time of year.

We will then drop down to the river and along the bank for about a half mile to Rottenwood Creek, and we will continue along the river to the West end of the Callan Trail. (Toilets here). We will pause, return to the Creek, then up the creek and climb to the ridge and the last mile to the parking lot.

OPTIONAL:  We will hang out for a picnic lunch afterwards, and you are welcome to join us. BYO lunch, and something to share if you wish.

Because the AOC website can't keep track of simultaneous registrations, sometimes it overbooks a hike above the limit if there is a rush.  We initially are setting the limit to 12, and will add waitlisted people shortly after opening up to 14 participants.

We are aiming for about 6.5 miles and two 1/2 hours hiking.  Stops will be brief and we will keep a steady pace, so this is not a beginner's hike.  It will be a D3 effort with some tricky footing, so please gauge appropriately. If you are comfortable with other D2 and sometimes D3 events and want to stretch yourself, we encourage you to join us.

If D3's are a little too easy for you, we encourage you to carry a little extra weight in your pack to give you an extra workout! (Yes DC, that means you!) 

Light-moderate rain is OK,  Predicted thunder cancels.  

There are bathroom facilities near the river about 1 mile into our hike.  This is a Chattahoochee River NRA site so parking costs $5 or use of a CRNRA annual pass.

Here are two on-line versions similar to what we will do, with maps:

CRNRA Map with waypoints

AllTrails  (6.4 miles, with paved trail addition, 921' climbing)

Gaia Hiker  (4.8 miles, 265')

Parking Lot Coordinates: 33.89166     -84.444

https://goo.gl/maps/s1kuwnuqK7p

From eastbound Interstate 285

Take exit 22, Northside Drive, New Northside Drive, Powers Ferry Road.

RIGHT on Northside Drive to Powers Ferry Road.

RIGHT approximately 1.5 miles to Akers Drive SE

LEFT at the wooden "Mill Wheel"

Drive up the hill on Akers Drive passing apartment homes until you see the Stone CRNRA sign on the left at the drive to the parking lot. If you reach an apartment complex at the end of Akers Drive, you have gone too far. Backtrack to the CRNRA driveway.

Drive on the park drive all the way to the end. There are a group of handicapped spaces which you will reach first but drive past them about 50 yards to the parking lot at the end of the drive.

From westbound Interstate 285

Take exit 22, New Northside Drive, Northside Drive, Powers Ferry Road.

STRAIGHT to second traffic light.

LEFT on Northside Drive to Powers Ferry Road.

RIGHT approximately 1.5 miles to Akers Drive SE

LEFT at the wooden "Mill Wheel."

Drive up the hill on Akers Drive passing apartment homes untill you see the brown CRNRA sign on the left at the drive to the parking lot. If you reach an apartment complex at the end of Akers Drive, you have gone too far. Backtrack to the CRNRA driveway. 

Drive on the park drive all the way to the end. There are a group of handicapped spaces which you will reach first but drive past them about 50 yards to the parking lot at the end of the drive.

If you want tips on hiking, packs or footwear, blister prevention, map reading skills, people history or natural history, please ask your trip leaders. We may have some information for you, or know where to find it. 

Remember: Every corner of the woods tells a story! As you observe, you can read those stories of storms, old roads, farming, regrowth, transition. 

Question for the day:  How many oak trees can you identify? Maybe we can identify different ones on the fly!

As always, BONUS Karma points if you pick up one piece of litter, or share a Nature or history observation with another hiker.  These are YOUR trails, and we are blessed to have them, thanks to the forsight of people decades ago who protected them.

Please also be mindful that we will be a large group, so be gracious with hikers we meet on the trail.  Listen for "stay right" when oncoming hikers are observed.

If you cannot attend, please cancel as early as possible so we can add people.