Independence Day Fireworks - A Different Perspective

Join us for a nice hike up Stone Mountain, a sunset, some chillin' and a uinque view to one of the largest fireworks displays in Atlanta. 

We will take a slower-moderate paced hike to the top of the mountain, taking a route that will keep us off the walk-up trail most of the way to the top. We should arrive at the top 10-15 min before the sunset, where we will hang out and watch the sun set. After the sunset, we will walk the perimeter of the mountaintop taking in all the views until we reach the north side above the grass field. The fireworks are to begin right after the Laser show, so I expect they should start about 10 pm. It's a different viewing perspective than you're probably used to - they'll be exploding right out in front of us - and you get to 'feel' them as well as see them. After the fireworks show ends, we'll head back down the mountain, taking another side trail.

Notes:

We'll have a decent amount of 'hanging out' time on top, so feel free to bring some snacks and beverages of your liking - just no glass containers.

Allow time - I expect that there will be a lot of people inside the park - although I do not expect there to be many people hiking up or on top. However, the parking situation could be tough, so leave yourself enough time in case you have to use a different lot than the one near the walk-up trail. You might want to consider parking in SM Village and walking 10 minutes into the park.

The hike will begin at the restrooms at the base of the "walk-up trail." We will start on time to ensure we're on top before the sun sets.

Please take the time to look at the park map and parking options in order to be on time!

GPS Coordinates: 33.81076800026398, -84.16212379932403

Vehicle access to Stone Mountain Park:  $20 per day.  Annual pass is $40.

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.  Look for the large 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

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 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 (Note that this gate is locked soon after sunset and you have to walk out around the nearby West Gate and then left to get back to East Mountain Street.)

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 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. (Note the gate on this PATH trail is often locked soon after sunset).

Additional directions and maps can be found at: 

http://www.stonemountainpark.com/activities/map/overview. aspx

The parking fee inside the park is $20 unless you have annual pass.