AtlantaOutdoorClub
sponsor
Print-Friendly Version
Add this event to your calendar (Outlook, iCalendar)
Add REGISTRATION REMINDER to your calendar


REGISTRATION REQUIRED: Once you've reviewed the event details, and decided you'd like to join us, you MUST sign up at the bottom of this page.



Thanksgiving Morning at Island Ford




The Basics:
Event Type:Hike
Event Location: Sandy Springs, GA   Hike: Thanksgiving Morning at Island Ford  National Weather Service Forecast
Date(s) & Time:Thu, Nov 24 2022  9:00 am >> Thu, Nov 24 2022 11:00 am
Registration Opens: Thu, Nov 17 2022 6:00 pm
Registration Cut Off: Thu, Nov 24 2022 9:00 am
Event Duration:2 Hours
Difficulty Rating:D2: Easy to Moderate
Distance:5 Miles
Pace:Moderate
Trip Leader(s):
Joyce T.
Email Trip Leader(s)
You must be logged in to get the Trip Leader contact information.
Member Cost:None

Participant Info:
Who's Invited: Members Only, 21 And Older Only
Maximum Group Size:15
Minimum Group Size:4
Number Registered So Far: 15 / 0 (To see who's signed up, log in to the Member Area)
Are Dogs Permitted: Yes

Itinerary:

Are you in town for Thanksgiving, but not eating your big meal till later in the day?  How about a morning hike, early enough to get home, shower, and get ready for whatever comes next?  This hike will get you home by noon! 

Island Ford has much to offer in the its variety of surfaces, views of the Chattahoochee, which usually hosts numerous geese and sometimes even a heron, and lots of short, challenging hills which get our hearts pumping!  

We'll be keeping a steady, moderate pace over some rough terrainin including tackling some hills which will raise your heart rate.  It's NOT a hike for beginners who aren't used to navigating some technical trails with rocks and roots.   

BE SURE YOU HYDRATE WELL THE DAY BEFORE THE HIKE and bring water/electrolyte drinks to the hike. Adequate fluids are essential.

We'll start at the MIDDLE parking lot. (Hewlett Pond Parking Lot) This lot is NOT the first lot on the left, nor is it the Visitor Center lot;  rather, it's the lot before you come to the pond, on the left side of the road. .  . about .6 miles from the entrance.   We've found that parking in this lot is always light, and it affords a variety of routes to hike.

We'll start the hike  promptly at 9:00 am.   Arrive at least 5 minutes early to meet everyone before we start,  and/or to purchase a $5 parking pass if you don't own an annual pass. Cash is no longer accepted at the kiosk.  You must use your smartphone to pay for parking or purchase a pass in advance online at:  https://www.nps.gov/chat/planyourvisit/fees.htm

BE SURE TO LEAVE VALUABLES AT HOME OR AT LEAST WELL OUT OF SIGHT WHEN HIKING.  CAR BREAK-INS HAVE OCCURRED IN ALL OF THE CNRA AREAS.

No more than 3 dogs on the hike, so if 3 dogs are already listed, please do not add yours. If you bring your dog, it must be kept on leash at all times.   The reputation of the AOC is damaged when we break the leash law

Please - - no aggressive dogs who might challenge other dogs or people on the hike.

Willow was aiming for some stomach rubs.

This is Willow, an example of a suitable, non-aggressive dog!  :-)

 

Required Items to Bring:
 
Appropriate hiking shoes (waterproof if we've had recent rain)
Water (electrolyte fluids are adviseable)
Smart phone to get your parking pass if you don't already have one.
 
 
Recommended Items to Bring:
Use our Event Checklists to make sure you have everything you need.
 
Hiking poles are recommended, especially after a rainy day
Protection for your wallet and phone in case of rain
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

How to Get There:
Event Directions:

8800 Roberts Drive, Sandy Springs, GA

From northbound US 19 and GA 400
- Take exit #6 (Northridge Road).
- Coming off the exit, stay in the right lane, cross over GA 400, and turn right onto Dunwoody Place.
- Go 0.5 miles to Roberts Drive.
- Turn right and proceed 0.7 miles to the park entrance on your right.

From southbound US 19 and GA 400
- Take exit #6 (Northridge Road)
- Continue straight ahead at the traffic light onto Dunwoody Place.
- Go 0.5 miles to Roberts Drive.
- Turn right and proceed 0.7 miles to the park entrance on your right.

Once you enter the main gate, drive down the road about .6 miles until you see the sign for the Hewlett Pond parking lot on the left, above road level.  The pond will be on your right if you drive past the lot.


Notes:

Trail Map - https://www.crnra.vip/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Island-Ford.pdf

Purchase a Park Pass online:  https://www.nps.gov/chat/planyourvisit/fees.htm

Parking is $5, payable online or with your smartphone at the parking lot.  No cash accepted.

Annual and daily passes may be purchased at the Visitor Center at the end of the entrance road - - about a mile from the front gate.


* We encourage all members to follow our Etiquette Guidelines while participating in AOC events.


Cancellation/Partial Attendance:   Please review the AOC cancellation policy.
*Note:

Please cancel your registration yourself up to the time of the hike if you can't join us after all.   It puts an unnecessary burden on the trip leaders to ask them to delete your registration before the hike starts.

And if you're on the waiting list, it's assumed you will hike on Thursday morning if you get a last-minute call.  Please remove yourself from the waiting list if you can't get to the hike in short notice.