Sunset and Supermoon on Stone Mountain

Apparently the moon tonight will be the closest full moon to the Earth this year.. a so called "supermoon", so we've got to get up somewhere high and watch it rise and then sit there and marvel at its supersize.  Forecast is looking decent...maybe scattered storms later but 30% chance of precip so most likely will be ok.

"The biggest and brightest full moon of the year arrives Saturday night, May 5, 2012 as our celestial neighbor passes closer to Earth than usual. Saturday's event is a ``supermoon,'' the closest and therefore the biggest and brightest full moon of the year....the moon will be about 221,802 miles from Earth. That's about 15,300 miles closer than average. "

So the plan is to head to the top of Stone Mtn and perhaps look for the moonrise at 8:14PM.   It may be too bright to see it with the sun still up but we'll see.   Then we can run to the other side of the mtn to watch the sunset at 8:24 PM. Hopefully it won't be a spectacular sunset because we don't want any clouds in the sky to potentially block the moon. 

The St Mtn walkup trail gains about 650 feet in 1 mile. That is a good climb and this would be a D3 hike if we were going at even a moderate pace.  But because this one is go-at-your-own-pace, it is instead a D2. Because the trail is so easy to follow and so populated, everyone can take their time on the way up and then we can just meet at the top and hang out for the moonrise and sunset.

The forecast high for Saturday is 87, but should cool down in the evening and hopefully a cool breeze on top. I plan to bring a blanket and just relax for awhile and enjoy watching the moon and enjoying the peaceful calm and the city lights surrounding us.  If you would like to head down earlier at any point, just please let me know and that's fine.

So IF the weather cooperates at it is supposed to, this should be a fun way to this celestial occasion. 

If you would like to try the free public parking, there is a Marta Park and Ride on Fourth Street in Stone Mountain Village. From there it is a less than a half mile walk on East Mountain Street into the Park and you will end up right at the start of the walk-up trail where we are meeting.


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Additional directions and maps can be found at:
http://stonemountainpark.com/default.aspx

To the main entrance- From I-285 take U.S. Hwy 78 East (Snellville/Athens) exit. Travel about 7 miles and take Exit 8.  After entering the Park, proceed straight ahead. The road will fork in about 1 mile - stay to the right. Continue to follow the road for another mile. Confederate Hall will be on your left. The parking lot will be immediately after. We will meet behind Confederate Hall, right outside of the railroad track and near the restrooms...at the start of the walk up trail.