After a few hikes that took us to the other side of the metro area, we’ll stay close to home this time with a hike around the lake at Stone Mountain Park. This approximately 2.5-mile hike (3 miles on your scout’s passport) starts from the playground on the south side of the park, traces part of the Cherokee Trail, crosses the lake and then turns back along a connecting trail that will take us back to Robert E. Lee Blvd. and the playground parking lot. Along the way are great views of the lake and Stone Mountain, the chimney of an old homestead and a few chances to look out for fish and other critters in the water.
The trail is relatively easy, with a total elevation gain of about 200 feet, but it is narrow in spots, has a considerable amount of roots and some rocks to trip up the unobservant hiker. Trailside poison ivy is abundant and I’m fairly certain there’s some poison sumac, too, but you should be able to avoid it all fairly easily by staying on the trail and watching where you’re walking. The trail is a bit buggy, so I strongly recommend insect repellent.
The hike should last about an hour, but you might want to factor in some time for your kids to play on the playground. They’ve rebuilt it and it looks like a lot of fun.
You will want to park in the lot next to the playground, as indicated on the map. If that lot is full, there is another lot just down the road. You can park there. We’ll hike right past it on the way back.