Developmental Kennesaw Mountain

Welcome to my new series of hikes called “Developmental Hikes.”  These hikes are designed to allow you to develop your hiking skills so that with time, you can do more difficult hikes. Unlike my "Stop and Smell the Roses” hikes which are leisurely events, these will be posted at a moderate difficulty level yet conducted in a way as to push your ability as much as possible to the next difficulty level. 

The pace for these hikes will be designed to challenge you to pick up your speed and gain strength as you navigate sometimes challenging trails.  The venues chosen will allow for the skills being developed. These hikes are for those of you that want to push your ability to do more advanced events, or for those of you who used to do more difficult hikes and want to work yourself back to your previous ability level.   

Please note:  This series of hikes is NOT for intermediate or advanced hikers who have been doing D4+ events.  They are designed for less experienced hikers who want to build strength and speed.  Please choose a different event if you are already a very fit D4+ hiker to allow room on the event for members who need the development. 

One last thing:  if the hike is for developing a hiker to go from a D3 to a D4 and you have done only D1 and D2 hikes – the hike is NOT for you either. They will likely prove to be too challenging, and I do not want to hold up the group to wait for you. I will vet members to ensure we get members of the same ability level on the hike.

Starting at the visitors center we will follow Mountain Drive to the top parking lot and turn around heading back down the mountain (3.2 miles round trip). We will not go to the top of the mountain. Once we are at the bottom of the mountain, we will head down the 24-Gun Trail and return the same way (3.0 miles round trip). Total distance will be 6.2 miles. Total elevation change with both trails is only about 900 feet. The pace of the hike is set at 2.5 miles per hour or 2.5 hours, thus a D2 rating. Our goal will be 3.0 miles per hour or 2 hours 10 minutes.

Please arrive at 8:15 am so that we may do introductions and start the hike on time.

DIRECTIONS from I-75/ I-285 INTERCHANGE in NW ATLANTA to our "Overflow Parking Lot" Gathering Spot:   

1.  From the I-75/ I-285 Interchange take I-75 North about 8 miles and exit toward your right at Exit 267B ("US-41, GA-5 South" which will loop you clockwise onto the GA-5 "Canton Road Connector" toward Marietta).
2. After completing this I-75 exit loop, AVOID the rightward exit onto US-41 and continue straight ahead on the connector for about 1 mile toward the first traffic light at Church Street.
3. Just before you reach this traffic light bear hard Right onto the "Church Street Extension" and go just 0.6 mile to the second traffic light where "Old US-41" tees in from the left.
4. Turn Left onto Old US-41 and go 1.2 mile to the first stop light. Continue straight ahead about another quarter of a mile (beyond the Park Visitor Center) and look for the Overflow Parking Lot on the left.
5. After parking there we'll gather for the hike near the lot entrance.

PARKING PASSES:  Each driver is responsible for paying the $5 per vehicle per day self-service National Park parking fee (or displaying instead from your rear-view mirror a valid National Park Annual Pass - available for sale at the park Visitor Center).