Stone Mountain - Cherokee Trail Hike on Independence Day (Saturday)

Let's enjoy an early morning pleasant hike. We will meet at the Confederate Hall area, next the to restrooms building.  We will go around the base of the mountain completing a 5.5 mile hike in approximately 2 hours.  We will stop at the Grist Mill for a quick water break and restroom break, if needed.  Then we will proceed toward the covered bridge that was relocated from Oconee County in 1891.  The trail surface is compacted soil, bare rock, exposed rock, and woods.  The lay of the land is wooded hills, creek bottoms, and exposed rock slopes.  We will keep a moderate to fast pace for D3.  Anticipate a total of 2 or 3 quick breaks along the way.

GPS  Coordinates: 33.81076800026398, -84.16212379932403

Parking in the Stone Mountain Lot:  $20 per day.  Annual pass is $40.  Discount if you purchase more than one Annual Pass at a time.

Directions: To the main entrance- From I-285 take U.S. Hwy 78 East (Snellville/Athens) exit. Travel about 7 miles and take Exit 8, the Stone Mountain Park Main Entrance. After entering the main entrance, proceed straight ahead. The road will fork at about 1 mile – stay to the right. Continue to follow the road for another mile. Confederate Hall will be on your left. The parking lot will be immediately after. We’ll meet behind Confederate Hall near the walk up trail.

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 just about in the Confederate Hall parking lot.

OPTIONAL FREE PARK ENTRANCE FOR PEDESTRIANS & BICYCLISTS:

There's no charge for pedestrians or bicyclists to enter Stone Mountain Park or to enjoy the numerous free attractions inside the Park including the nice trails.  If you don't have an annual Park Pass and wish to save the daily parking fee, there are usually plenty of free parking spots just outside the Park in Stone Mountain Village.   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 up East Mountain Street and directly into the park.

Another such free parking lot is the "Red Caboose Visitor Center" lot on the 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 to the "caboose lot" on your left.  In about 10 minutes you can walk or ride your bike eastward into the Park via the paved PATH trail, turn left on Robt. E. Lee Blvd (for ~300 yard) 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

Be Aware:  Put all your personal belongings out of sight in your vehicle.  Lock your vehicle.

Stone Mountain Website is www.stonemountainpark.com. 770-498- 5690.