NEWCOMER HIKE - Stone Mountain Cherokee Trail (read below)

Many thanks to Ann and Ralph Howard for creating this hike at Kennesaw Mountain. I am - with their blessing - copying this newcomer hike for the folks who can't make that hike, live in the south/central park of the city (or any newcomer for any reason).

How it works:  You go on the waitlist starting on February 8 at 7:00 pm and on the 10th at 7:00 pm, I will put on the eight people, not in the order of the waitlist, but in the order of fewest hikes completed.  After that it is first come, first serve - with a total of 10 hikers.

The pace of the event will be leisurely - it will only be faster if the entire group can maintain that pace.  I will take a few short breaks, as needed.

Basic rules:

1. Don't signup unless you really, really want to come.

2. You cannot bring a guest, anyone participating must join the Club and signup.

3. Sorry, no pets on this event.

4. As a courtesy to participants we start on time.  Please arrive a few minutes early to get your pass and for introductions.

5. You must complete the entire hike to get credit.

We will meet in front of the restrooms at the start of the Walk-Up Traill. We will hike on the Cherokee a Trail and connecting trails around the mountain. We will not be going up the mountain.

FROM I-285/US 78 TO THE PARK'S EAST GATE ENTRANCE:

From the I-285/ US-78 interchange, take US Hwy 78 East 7.7 miles. Bear right at Exit #8 to the Stone Mountain Park East Gate main entrance.

ONCE INSIDE PARK, DRIVE TO THE WALK-UP TRAIL PARKING LOT:

After entering via the East Gate, first follow Jefferson Davis Drive about a mile straight ahead until you reach the fork in the road. Bear right onto Robert E. Lee Blvd and follow it about another mile. Pass the West Gate entrance (on the right) and you'll soon see the large parking lot for the Walk-up Trail on your left where you can park.  We'll meet by the stone restroom building at the base of the Walk-Up Trail.

FROM I-285/US 78 TO THE PARK'S WEST GATE ENTRANCE:

From the I-285/US-78 interchange, take US 78 East about 7 miles. Bear right on Exit #5 to Memorial Drive and keep in right lane to exit about a half mile ahead. Turn left onto E. Ponce de Leon Ave, turn left at the first traffic light onto James B. Rivers Memorial Dr. Turn right after passing through the gate and you'll see the Walk-up Trail 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. Take the West Gate directions but go through the first light to continue into the Village.  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.
Another free parking lot is the Red Caboose Visitor Center lot also on Main Street, which has its own paved walking/biking trail into the Park. Continue on Main Street until you see the red caboose on your left. In about 10 minutes you can walk into the Park via the paved PATH trail, turn left on Robert E. Lee Blvd (for ~300 yards) until you reach the large parking lot on the right.

$20 day pass, $40 annual pass (recommended if you'll be coming back), or walk from Stone Mountain village (see directions above).