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Thursday Morning Semi-Fitness Hike at Island Ford




The Basics:
Event Type:Hike
Event Location: Sandy Springs, GA   Hike: Thursday Morning Semi-Fitness Hike at Island Ford  National Weather Service Forecast
Date(s) & Time:Thu, Apr 4 2024  10:00 am >> Thu, Apr 4 2024 12:00 pm
Registration Opens: Thu, Mar 28 2024 6:00 pm
Registration Cut Off: Thu, Apr 4 2024 10:00 am
Event Duration:2 Hours
Difficulty Rating:D2: Easy to Moderate
Distance:5.5 Miles
Pace:Fast
Trip Leader(s):
Joyce T.
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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: 14 / 0 (To see who's signed up, log in to the Member Area)
Are Dogs Permitted: Yes

Itinerary:

Welcome to our Thursday morning hike! 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!  

This is NOT a beginner's hike because the brisk pace over rough terrain presents significant challenges that require one to build up speed and endurance, especially on the ascents.  Please be sure you're ready for a challenging hike before you tackle this one.    If you don't have an AOC record of suitable hikes, I'll be contacting you to ascertain your fitness level  I don't want to slow down the group to wait for people who can't keep up the pace, nor do I want to push you beyond your limits.

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 10:00 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/c hat/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 CRNRA 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:

1906 Island Ford Pkwy, Sandy Springs, GA

33.99475, -84.33405

(Coordinates are for the park entrance.  Our parking lot is .6 miles down the road.)

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/c hat/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.