Two of my favorite things are hiking and craft beer, REI occasionally offers events that combine both into a short afternoon adventure. While I hiked around Stone Mountain a few weeks ago, I didn't hike to the summit of the granite dome, but today's organized hike with REI will allow me to do just that and finish it off with a cold beer. Additionally, I'm in talks to possibly work part time with REI guiding tours of this kind in the near future. Seems like it would be a fun part-time gig.
Meeting up with the group of nine hikers, and our guide, Mark, who I bikepacked Cumberland Island with a few weeks ago, we quickly talk about the plan for the day and then set off for Stone Mountain Park, which is just a short walk from the Village Corner German Restaurant, where we will enjoy our post-hike beverage.
Once we make a quick restroom break, we start making our way up the Walk-up Trail towards the summit. This is a really popular hike among locals and the trail is pretty busy this clear, but brisk morning. On the way up, I make a couple of new friends within the group and we talk about all kinds of topics from other hikes we've done to podcasts and a myriad of other subjects. While the trail is fairly steep and is along solid granite, it's not terribly difficult, but we do reach one point where railings have been installed to help visitors climb a steep section. This area is actually somewhat reminiscent of the cables on Half Dome in Yosemite Valley. While not as steep and certainly not as long, it has as similar feel and visual.
Arriving at the top, the cold January winds blow with ferocity up here, some eight-hundred feet above the surrounding area. A visitor's center, snack bar, and cable car landing have been installed up here to give this place a much more touristy feel than it's central California counterpart, but it's still a nice hike. Downtown Atlanta can been seen in the distance, as well as the beginning of the Blue Ridge to the distant north.
After a short stay on the top, we begin to make our way down the way we came. Arriving back at the Village Corner, I note that we hiked just about 3.6 miles and now it's time to enjoy the other part of the adventure. Mark orders a round of giant German pretzels for us, and we each provide our drink order to the bartender in turn. I opt for a flight of the beers made by the Stone Mountain Brewery, which is part of the restaurant. A coupe of the beers are pretty nice, but a couple leave a bit to be desired. That's the beer snob in me coming out, but this place is obviously geared towards tourists. Ah well, I enjoy the pretzel and the company for a while before heading home. Perhaps soon, I'll be getting paid to lead hikes like this.
No comments:
Post a Comment