In order to burn off the turkey, today I escorted one customer up to Stone Mountain State Park for a day hike. Although a little chilly it was a beautiful day so the Wife and Holly joined us. Completed the Stone Mountain Loop from the upper parking lot via the .3 mile mile extension to the loop, the 4.5 mile loop starting with the trail to the summit, down to Hutchinson farm, to the Stone Mountain Falls, and then back to the parking lot. As we exited the trail there were four deer in the field grazing, great way to end the hike. The temp was 53f going in and 47f when we got out and we completed the trail in 2 hours 45 minuted. We traveled most of the loop at decent pace but made many photo stops. Steady pace with no long stops until we hit the stairs at the waterfall this slowed us all down. An additional highlight as we left the park were the additional 14 deer grazing in a field on the side of the road who one by one crossed the road and jumped the wooden fence.
Looking forward to returning soon to take a day hike to Wolf Rock and the other side trails off of Stone Mountain Loop. May even throw in some rappelling!!