Sunset on Stone Mountain

THE PLAN: Let's get the weekend started off right with this short (and hopefully exhilarating) hike to gaze at the sunset from the summit of Stone Mountain. Feel the weekday stress melt away as you rise above it all, breathe in the fresh air, marvel at the sunset, take a few photos, and then head back down to start the weekend.

WHERE: We'll meet in front of Confederate Hall near the restroom building at 5:15 pm and hike up the Stone Mountain summit trail.

HOW: After brief introductions, we'll begin our ascent to the top, which takes about 30 minutes. Assuming a steady pace and not too much time spent gawking at the bubblegum poles, we'll be on the summit in time for the sunset at 6:09 PM.  Once on top, we will have a little time to hang out, explore the granite top, tag the geo-locator (a must-do for Kiran), maybe have a snack and/or take pictures, ooh and aah at the sunset - which promises to be dazzling - and then head back down to the parking lot.

WHAT (to bring): The Weather Gods predict a clear, crisp day with a high of 42° F and a low of 28° F. Since wind will most likely be a factor at the summit, make sure to dress in layers, bring a cap, and of course your headlamp (or flashlight) since it will be dark on our way down.

• From I-285 to the Park's "East Gate" entrance:

  From the I-285/ US-78 interchange on the east side of town take U.S. Hwy 78 East about 7.7 miles.  Bear right at Exit #8 to the Stone Mountain Park "East Gate" main entrance where you'll pay $10 for the daily parking fee if you don't display an valid annual pass.  Suggestion:  Esp. if you're new to the Park ask the gate attendant for a free color map.
  
  

• Once inside Park, drive to Confederate Hall parking lot:

  After entering via the East Gate, follow Jefferson Davis Drive for about a mile, crossing the lake en route. At the fork in the road, bear right onto Robert E. Lee Blvd and follow it for about a mile, bearing left at the West Gate exit. Immediately past this intersection, look for the spacious Confederate Hall parking lot on your left where we park during the hike.  We'll gather at our "usual AOC meetup spot," by the stone restroom building at the base of the Walk-Up Trail (about 100 yards toward the mountain from Confederate Hall).

OPTIONAL FREE PARK ENTRANCE for PEDESTRIANS & BICYCLISTS:  

There's no charge for pedestrians or bicyclists to enter Stone Mountain Park.  If you don't have an annual Park Pass and wish to save the daily $10 parking fee, there are usually plenty of free parking spots just outside the Park in Stone Mountain Village.  The Village is near the Park's "West Gate" entrance which is quite close to Confederate Hall and the Walk-Up trailhead.  One such free parking lot is the "Red Caboose Visitor Center" lot on the Main Street, which has its own paved walking/biking trail into the Park, much like the Silver Comet Trail.

To drive to that lot, get off US-78 (Stone Mtn Freeway) at Exit #5, then bear right to exit again about a half mile ahead, turn left onto E. Ponce de Leon Ave, go through the first traffic light onto Main Street and continue about a half mile to the "Caboose lot" on your left.  In about 10 minutes you can walk or ride your bike eastward into the Park via the paved PATH trail, turn left on Robt. E. Lee Blvd (for ~300 yard) and join the AOC group at the Walk-Up trailhead.