Kennesaw Mountain - 10 Miles - D5

Please join us for a D5 hike at Kennesaw. We will be following the standard AOC 10 mile D5 route. We will go up and over Big Kennesaw and Little Kennesaw, then continue down to Burnt Hickory Road just past the 3 mile marker. Then we will turn around and retrace our steps, going over Little Kennesaw and Big Kennesaw again. Once we get back to the beginning of the trail, we will turn around again and hike back over Big Kennesaw and Little Kennesaw until we reach the 2 mile marker. Then we will turn around once again and hike back to the Visitor's Center for a total of just over 10 miles and lots of elevation.

This is a self-paced hike, so we may get spread out along the trail. You will need to maintain a pace of about 2.5 miles per hour in order to complete the hike in time. You must start the hike with the trip leaders and finish in the allotted time in order to receive credit for the hike. Because this hike is scheduled on what will likely be a hot and humid day, we are allowing 4 hours and 15 minutes to complete the hike rather than the usual 4 hours. This additional time should ensure that hikers have time to refill their water bottles at the Visitor's Center and to take short breaks during the hike if they are feeling the heat.

This is a challenging hike due to the distance, the elevation gains, the pace, and the rocky terrain. You should have recent D4 experience to participate in this hike. If you do not have this experience with the AOC, please email the trip leaders with information about your recent hikes. If the trip leaders do not hear from you, you will be moved to the waiting list.

Please note that Kennesaw requires a $5 Daily Pass or a $40 Annual Pass, which can be purchased in the Visitor's Center, at an automated machine in the parking lot, or online. America the Beautiful National Parks Passes also can be used at Kennesaw.

https://www.nps.gov/kemo/planyourvisit/fees.htm

Bathrooms and water fountains are available in the Visitor's Center.

We will start the hike promptly at 7:30am, so please arrive 10 minutes early for socializing and introductions before the hike. Also, please allow extra time if you need to purchase a parking pass or use the bathroom. The sign says the bathrooms open at 7:30, but they are usually open earlier on the weekend.

We will meet by the cannon in front of the Visitor's Center.

900 Kennesaw Mountain Drive, Kennesaw, GA 30152

From I-75 North:

Take exit 267B onto SR-5 Spur South toward US-41, Marietta

Turn right onto Church Street Extension NE

Turn left onto Old US-41 Hwy NW

Turn left onto Stilesboro Rd NW

Turn left into the Visitor's Center parking lot.

Note that if the visitor center lot is full, you can park in the overflow parking lot, which is about a 1/4 mile farther north on Old US-41 just west of Stilesboro Rd. The address of that lot is 1200 Old US 41 Hwy NW, Kennesaw, GA 30152.

We will meet by the cannon in front of the Visitor's Center.

Please allow extra time in case you have to park in the overflow parking lot and walk back to the Visitor's Center. See the Directions for more information about that lot.