Free Class at REI Atlanta Store: Hiking the Benton Mackaye Trail

IN A NUTSHELL:  The Benton Mackaye Trail (BMT) is a wonderful less-crowded alternative to the Appalachian Trail (AT) which it parallels and occasionally crosses in the southern Appalachians.  Named for the famous founder of the AT (Mackaye rhymes with "rely" by the way) the BMT likewise has its southern terminus at Springer Mountain, just 50 miles north of Atlanta.
  In the interest of our members who would like to learn more about the BMT I've obtained confirmed reservations for an AOC subgroup of 12 AOC members to attend this indoor REI class at the REI "Atlanta Store" —on the I-85 Access Rd near Clairmont Rd—detailed directions below.
  Many of our AOC members may be unaware that our four Metro Atlanta REI stores regularly offer FREE classes, seminars and talks such as this, on topics including basic backpacking, camping, hiking, bicycling, paddling, skiing, climbing & mountaineering—also first-hand accounts of exotic adventures and favorite wilderness destinations.  Each session is presented by an invited guest speaker who is an expert in their field or by an REI employee who is a specialist in the featured topic.

WHERE TO MEET? Our AOC subgroup will first gather at 6:40 PM just inside the store entrance where we'll introduce one another and "take roll."  Then a few minutes before 7:00 PM we'll find seating together in the designated room where we'll meet the featured speaker(s) and other clinic attendees. Classes are normally presented in the large "Gear Room" which adjoins the store's public restrooms behind the right wall after you enter.  If you have to arrive a bit late, no problem - just ask an REI employee to direct you to the class.

SPECIFICS: Here is the recent REI.com promo material for this informative and entertaining free class:

"Hiking & Backpacking the Benton Mackaye Trail"
The Benton MacKaye Trail was described in a New York Times feature as "Appalachia's Other Trail." It is 286 miles long, starting at Springer Mountain, GA and ending at Big Creek on the northeastern end of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. A young trail, completed in 2005, built and maintained by volunteers, the BMT is intended as a more-primitive, less-crowded trail alternative. This presentation includes a "virtual tour" of the BMT and will describe options for hiking the trail, including day-hikes, section-hikes and thru-hikes.

WHY an AOC "SUBGROUP" for these free REI CLASSES?  Several good reasons:
- AOC members can conveniently register to attend via our website and may not be aware that the class is available without seeing the AtlantaOutdoorClub.com announcement.
- Upcoming AOC events and specialty gear that relate to the class topic can be discussed.
- The AOC subgroup can browse the store together before or after the class to discuss examples of the relevant gear.

 BY THE WAY:  If you'd like to make PERSONAL RESERVATIONS for yourself and your friends or family at FUTURE FREE REI CLASSES or SEMINARS:  You can check the offerings & availability at an REI store near you and reserve your spot(s) as follows:
1. Go to REI.com
2. Click on "Store Locator" in the upper right corner of the home page and choose your Store of interest from the pop-up menus that appear.
3. Click on the free Class or Seminar of interest. (Various fee-based classes are also available.)
4. Fill in the online Reservation form and submit (may require your REI member number—costs only $20 for a lifetime membership).
5. If you fail to make a formal reservation, keep in mind that walk-ins at these events are usually acceptable, but only on a space-available or standing-room-only basis.

THE REI "ATLANTA STORE" is at 1800 Northeast Expy, Atlanta, GA 30329 about 4 miles toward downtown from "Spaghetti Junction" (the I-85/ I-285 interchange in NE Atlanta).  You GPS or Google.com/maps users may find its Lat/Lon coordinates handy as your entered destination: 33.8395,-84.3213
 The store is on the southbound I-85 Access Road just south of the Clairmont Rd exit.  Two approach options are detailed below.  The store's phone number is 404-633-6508.

FROM SPAGHETTI JUNCTION ETC. via I-85 SOUTH:
1. Going southbound on I-85, take Exit #91 "Clairmont Rd" and continue straight ahead at the exit traffic light (crossing Clairmont).
2. After you cross Clairmont bear slightly right to stay in the rightmost lane of the I-85 southbound Access Road.
3. The store is on the right side of the Access Road, about 0.5 mile south of Clairmont and just beyond the Briarwood Road junction.

FROM MIDTOWN ATLANTA, ETC. via I-85 NORTH:
1. Going northbound on I-85 take Exit #91 "Clairmont Rd," and stay in the far left lane of the exit ramp as you near Clairmont.  This will loop you counterclockwise onto the southbound I-85 Access Road without any traffic lights.
2. Bear quickly right to get into the rightmost lane of the Access Road without re-entering I-85.
3. The store is on the right side of the Access Road, about 0.5 mile south of Clairmont and just beyond the Briarwood Rd junction.

Free Event with Free Parking!