Spring Splendor, Waterfalls & Swinging Bridge Hike at Emory’s Parklands
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The Basics: |
| Event Type: |  | Urban Hike | |
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Event Location: | |
NE Atlanta near I-85 Clairmont Exit: 1900 Starvine Way
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| Date(s) & Time: | | Sun, Mar 18 2012
2:00 pm >> Sun, Mar 18 2012 6:00 pm
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| Registration Opens:
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Fri, Mar 16 2012 8:00 am
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| Registration Cut Off:
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Sun, Mar 18 2012 12:00 pm
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| Event Duration: | | 4 Hours | |
| Difficulty Rating: | | D3: Moderate | |
| Distance: | | 8 Miles | |
| Pace: | | Leisurely | |
Trip Leader(s):
| | Charlie Cottingham
 Email Trip Leader(s)
You must be logged in to get the Trip Leader contact information.
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| Member Cost: | | None |
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| Participant Info: |
| Who's Invited: | |
Members Only, 21 And Older Only
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| Maximum Group Size: | | 15 |
| Minimum Group Size: | | 2 |
| Number Registered So Far: | |
16 / 0 (To see who's signed up, log in to the Member Area)
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| Are Dogs Permitted: | |
Yes
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| Itinerary: |
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IN A NUTSHELL: Spring is "bustin' out all over," so join us Sunday afternoon for this adventurous hike at some of the easily accessible and beautiful "wild parklands" right here in NE Atlanta! We'll enjoy waterfalls, old mill ruins, birds and wildlife, and an exciting creek crossing via a high swinging footbridge. The weather is expected to be nice, with hike-time temperatures in the low 80s, partly sunny skies, and only about a 25% chance of a shower or two - so shorts and a T-shirt might a good choice of apparel.
Emory's Lullwater Park and its adjoining Hahn Woods Park are prized by hikers and joggers as "crown jewels" of the university's extended campus in NE Atlanta. The 185-acre forested nature preserve boasts more than 5 miles of scenic trails. Attractions include Lullwater Park & Estate with its beautiful Candler Lake, old mill ruins and waterfalls, a 210-foot-long swinging footbridge over Peachtree Creek, blooming native trees & plants, and frequent sightings of songbirds, raptors and waterfowl. As our AOC group crossed the swinging bridge in early March 2012 we were treated to an amazing show by a wild OTTER! in the creek below us.
Although we'll begin and end the outing at on the Emory campus, we'll also enjoy some of the lovely trails at nearby Mason Mill and Medlock Parks - see hike plan below.
WHEN & WHERE? We’ll gather at 2:00 PM in the free (on weekends & evenings) Clifton School parking lot at 1900 Starvine Way—see detailed Directions below. Also feel free to use the included Latitude/Longitude coordinates as your GPS "destination," but CAUTION: Be sure to enter Starvine Way from Clairmont Road since the other end is restricted to Emory Campus buses!
EVENT PLAN: After introducing ourselves we’ll begin the hike at the Clifton School, then continue around the lovely parklands and lake of Lullwater Estate, take a thrilling walk over its high suspension footbridge, and explore both sides of the South Fork of Peachtree Creek. After visiting Hahn Woods Park we'll return via the creekside trails. Then we'll cross Clairmont Road by the VA Hospital and enjoy a couple of miles on the lovely creekside trails at Mason Mill and Medlock Parks. We'll plan to be back at the cars by about 6:00 PM. We'll take a leisurely pace, stopping occasionally to regroup and for photo-ops at several scenic spots—about 8 miles total.
Just after the hike, at about 6 PM, if there's enough interest we can caravan to Cici's Pizza for their inexpensive buffet, complete with salad and desserts. It's a convenient 5-minute drive from the Clifton School parking lot.
WELL-BEHAVED DOGS WELCOME! These parklands are popular among dog lovers for walking their dogs. We'll permit up to three well-behaved dogs on this AOC event provided they're leashed and under their owner's control at all times. If you'd like to bring your dog please make a note of that in your online event registration.
FOR NICE PHOTOS from our JAN 2011 AOC HIKE at LULLWATER PARK:
Check out Scott & Laura Erich's Picasa SmugMug photo album at the following link:
http://www.jauntsaroundtheworld.com/Atlanta-Outdoor-Club/2011-01-23-Hahn-Woods-Atlanta/
FOR MORE on EMORY'S BEAUTIFUL CREEKSIDE PARKLANDS including PHOTOS & HISTORY: Check out from the library David R. Kaufman's excellent book, "Peachtree Creek: a Natural and Unnatural History of Atlanta's Watershed," and go to:
http://www.environment.emory.edu/ecology/lullwater.shtml
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Required Items to Bring:
• Wear comfortable well-broken-in Athletic Shoes or Hiking Boots with a coarse tread and comfortable Lightweight Clothing layers appropriate for the weather.
• Hydrate in advance and carry in your light Daypack or Fanny Pack a filled Water Bottle (or other favorite soft beverages)—or if you have one, your filled "Camelbak" or other hydration system. Consider packing also a compact Umbrella or lightweight emergency Raingear in case of a shower - also perhaps a Snack, piece of Fruit, etc.
| | Recommended Items to Bring:
Use our Event Checklists to make sure you have everything you need.
• Consider bringing a pair of Trekking Poles if you have a pair and like to use them. A simple Hiking Stick is an excellent alternative.
• Consider bringing your Camera—also perhaps lightweight Binoculars if you have a pair, for birding, etc.
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| How to Get There: |
| Event Directions: | |
FROM the "SPAGHETTI JUNCTION" I-85 / I-285 INTERCHANGE in NE Metro Atlanta:
1. Take I-85 South toward Atlanta about 4 miles and exit at Exit #91 "Clairmont Road."
2. Turn Left onto Clairmont Road (US-23 southeastward toward Decatur) and go about 3.2 miles to the traffic light at Starvine Way (less than a quarter mile past the two traffic lights that are in front of the huge VA Hospital. There may be no ''Starvine" sign here, but this is the traffic light near the bottom of the hill just after you pass the two lights at the VA Hospital. There's an open gateway into Emory's "Clairmont Campus" to the right of this light and a railroad overpass over Clairmont Road just beyond this light.)
3. Turn Right onto Starvine Way (off Clairmont Rd through the gateway) and go 0.4 mile (passing through a couple of stop signs en route) to the "Clifton School" on your Right. We'll meet near the steel & stone gate that blocks further passage along Starvine Way. Its signs say "Authorized Entry Only."
FOR A CUSTOM MAP & DIRECTIONS
FOR A CUSTOM MAP & DIRECTIONS or FOR GPS NAVIGATION:
Go to Google.com/maps and input as your destination the following address of the Clifton School parking lot:
"1900 Starvine Way, Atlanta, GA 30322."
Latitude/ Longitude: 33.7953,-84.3115
CAUTION for GPS USERS! As discussed above, be sure to choose a route that ENTERS STARVINE WAY from CLAIRMONT ROAD, since the other (north) end of Starvine is restricted to Emory campus buses.
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| Notes: |
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| Cost Includes: | | No Charge—Free Event with Free Parking! |
Cancellation/Partial Attendance: Please review the AOC cancellation policy. |
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