Hiking Kennesaw Mountain

You’ve probably gotten here looking for a Kennesaw Mountain Trail Map, so there you go.  This is a great map to print out an carry with you if you’re planning on hiking an extended portion of the Kennesaw Mountain Trail system. It’s also really helpful in figuring up how many miles you’ve covered in your hike or run. If you look around you will find many versions of the map on the web but this is the one that I’ve found to be the most informative and helpful.

Winter has started early this year! In fact, it’s not even winter yet and we’ve had our first few brushes with snow and extended periods of freezing temperatures. So, when I saw that 12/15/2010 would provide temps that weren’t going to be moving above freezing the entire day I knew it was time to pack a sandwich, leash up the dog and head over to Kennesaw Mountain or as many people like to call it, KEMO.

I made it to the visitors center at close to 11AM and headed up the “Kennesaw Mountain Top Trail”. This is the steepest and most challenging portion of the entire trail system. In a little over a mile this trail climbs more than 700 feet or for another perspective it climbs almost 100 feet for every 1/10 of a mile.

With a heavy coat and a full days supplied I moved a bit slower than normal and enjoyed the cold air as it filled my lungs. I made it to the top in about 20 minutes and took a moment to drink some water at the Georgia Overlook which is a memorial dedicated to the generals from Georgia.  With many trenches and gun embankments within eyeshot of this memorial it’s a good reminder that the majority of these trails were the stage for a very bloody fight and that the area should always be treated with respect as any final resting place should be.

From there I headed to the top of the mountain and took a few pictures. It was a reasonably clear day and did I mention it was cold?? You will even notice a little snow remaining on one of the signs.

The trail at this point becomes known as the Burnt Hickory Loop and while the trail prior to this sees VERY heavy usage, in my opinion this is where the trail becomes really nice.  This trail will take you down from the highest point of Kennesaw Mountain and over Little Kennesaw Mountain and Pigeon Hill.

The initial descent from the top is rather steep but the trail club has done a great job keeping it in shape. Many of the steeper areas have been stepped with stones from the mountain.  After a short moment the trail will cross Kennesaw Mountain Road.  On weekdays you will often see some cars on this road but on the weekends the road is closed to public traffic and a van runs a shuttle up and down the mountain.  I think the cost is $1 or $2 for those who are unable to climb the mountain or have children… or are just lazy.

After crossing the road the trail continues downhill for a while before heading up Little Kennesaw Mountain.  While the double peaks of Little Kennesaw are quite a bit smaller than their big cousin the climbing will still cause you to work up a sweat.

The second peak of little Kennesaw is the more picturesque of the two.  It is more similar to the first with a great deal of exposed stone. This is also a place that I often see quite a few deer on the north side of the peak so make sure to approach quietly.

Heading down the mountain is without a question the wildest and my most favorite part of this hike. The trail is often narrow with boulders rising up on your left and beautiful views off to your right. There is even one or two areas that require you to pull yourself up in short vertical climbs. Don’t worry, you can do it!!

The trail continues down to the base of the mountain in a series of switchbacks and you are faced with your first decision point, you can go left and hike the 2 – 3 miles back to the visitors center or head on to the right towards Pigeon Hill.

On this day I was in for the looooong haul so I headed over to Pigeon Hill.

Pigeon Hill
Pigeon Hill is a great place to stop and have a snack if you’re with a group. Many of the rocks in this area are so beautiful and unique. The area got it’s name from the carrier pigeons that once inhabited the area. Maybe I will get some pictures of the area up here some time soon.

From Pigeon Hill  you will continue through more exposed rock, even walking through an areas that would have you thinking that for certain you were on Stone Mountain. As the rock turns back to dirt you will continue down the trail to to Burn Hickory Road.

As you cross the road you will see a large field off to your right and the trail will remain relatively flat for a while.  As you get to your first decision point I suggest that you take the trail to the right.  This is the “West Trail” though it is not marked as such at this point.  This trail is quite a bit longer than the East Trail but it is much more interesting and beautiful.  The trail will wind through the forest and on ocassion you will see smaller trails that lead off to the sides. Do not be concerned as the turn you will need to make next is clearly marked. Enjoy the scenery.

As you go through a series of small climbs and descents you will come to and cross Noses Creek. The cold air had taken it’s toll on the creek and a great deal of it was covered in ice.  The bridge that crosses is nice and I appreciate the fact that it has no railings to impede the view. After crossing the bridge I again suggest taking the West Trail. Again, it will add more distance to your hike but aaagain, it’s a nicer trail.

Now that you’ve come close to 2 miles on the West Trail you will cross Dallas Highway. The traffic at the crossing can be kind of annoying. Most motorists do not acknowledge that this is indeed a pedestrian crossing and that they should yield… what seems to work best is holding up your hand and stepping closer to the edge of the road.  Someone will come to their senses and slow down which will usually wake up the oncoming traffic as well.  Honestly though, if you wait… you could wait all day.

From here you will hike along a wide and mostly flat path about 3/4 of a mile to the Illinois Monument. This is a really impressive Monument and a great place to pause and reflect.  As I stood at the base of the monument looking down across the field a small herd of deer grazed. It’s a great place and if you can go on a cold day like this one then you’ll have it all to yourself as I did. Well worth it.

As the day was getting on and I’d come close to 8 miles (the West Trail is longer than the East) I figured I’d better turn around or risk the sun setting before I got back to the car.

I liked past the JM Springer Homesite and dd the small loop that goes around the parking lot in this area.  I’ve yet to complete the 5 mile loop here but will update the site when I do.

I hiked back across Dallas Highway and chose to take the East Trail back. This trail is wide enough for a car to drive on for the first mile. Only when the trail splits as you approach Burnt Hickory Road does it climb much. The East Trail will go as the trail name indicates a bit further east… duh!  After crossing the roadyou will pass the Eaton homesite and Cass homesite.  The trail will eventually hook back up with the Burnt Hickory Loop which will take you on another 2.5 mile hike to the visitors center.  Like most of the other trails, this one is not particularly challenging but like all of the trails in the park it is an oasis in this suburban landscape.

In all, I hiked close to 14 miles on this day. I was glad to make it back to the car but a little disappointed that I didn’t hike the entire KEMO trail system as I’d planned.  Perhaps another day.

Useful Links
http://www.nps.gov/kemo/index.htm
http://georgiatrails.com/gt/Kennesaw_Mountain_Trail
http://www.kennesawmountaintrailclub.org/
http://www.secretfalls.com/hiking/275-kennesaw-mountain-trail

Related Links
My  30 challenge on Kennesaw Mountain – Hiking 100 Miles