Approximately ten miles from downtown Atlanta, one thousand six hundred eighty-three feet above sea level stands Stone Mountain. Stone Mountain is, simply, an enormous rock that is made of granite. The mountain can be seen from Kennesaw Mountain (West), Amicalola Falls State Park (North), and Mount Yonah (Northeast). On the northwest side of the mountain, there are currently faces of three men carved into the granite: Robert E. Lee, Stonewall Jackson, and Jefferson Davis. “Stone Mountain Memorial, memorial to the Confederacy, consisting of the equestrian figures of Robert E. Lee, Stonewall Jackson, and Jefferson Davis carved on the northern face of Stone Mt., a granite dome 650 ft (198 m) high in NW Ga., NE of Atlanta” (“Stone Mountain Memorial”
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The Stone Mountain Railway, a ground-level train that circles the mountain, was officially opened in April 1962. Today, children with wireless microphones entertain passengers on board the train with a series of railroad-oriented songs. The Stone Mountain Railroad’s makes its single boarding stop in front of the Confederate Hall. Inside of the Confederate Hall one can find information on the creation and natural history of Stone Mountain, as well as information which pertains to the Civil War in Georgia. The train then takes its passengers on a tour around the park and among the many stops made, the train stops at the Confederate Memorial (which is at the center of the theme park attraction): a humongous granite carving which was completed in 1972. On November 28, 1962 the Skylift was opened and passengers would board a ‘car’ which would be raised to the very top of the mountain and drop off its passengers. After being dropped off by the skylift, park visitors are able to either lounge at the peak of the mountain, or hike down the mountain. The 2.4 mile Stone Mountain Mountaintop Trail is difficult to navigate and requires that one move/hop over larger rocks in places; however, the 360 degree view from the of the trail top is simply astounding. Ride the Ducks, which was added in 2004, takes park visitors on a land and lake tour visiting some of Stone Mountain Park's most popular sites …show more content…
With the Stone Mountain Railroad in full operation, you can ride the train and enjoy the breath-taking view, then climb the mountain. Since its creation, Stone Mountain has become a state park and a popular rock climbing exhibit. Climbers are given a harness and are told to use the pegs to climb the wall. Through the years of amateur rock climbing, many may choose to continue on to more extreme rock climbing. Today, many people climb the enormous rock of Stone Mountain, however, outdoor climbing in a brand new challenge. Stone Mountain officials are constantly updating the features of the mountain to ensure a safe climbing experience. “Recently the CCC initiated a collaborative project with the North Carolina Division of State Parks to develop and implement a plan to replace the aging rock-climbing anchors on Stone Mountain, one of the Southeast's premier rock-climbing areas and a popular state park. Because of the lack of natural features, pioneering climbers placed pitons and expansion bolts in the rock to safeguard their ascents, and so that subsequent climbers may climb safely and confidently” (Attarian
The Stone Mountain Railway, a ground-level train that circles the mountain, was officially opened in April 1962. Today, children with wireless microphones entertain passengers on board the train with a series of railroad-oriented songs. The Stone Mountain Railroad’s makes its single boarding stop in front of the Confederate Hall. Inside of the Confederate Hall one can find information on the creation and natural history of Stone Mountain, as well as information which pertains to the Civil War in Georgia. The train then takes its passengers on a tour around the park and among the many stops made, the train stops at the Confederate Memorial (which is at the center of the theme park attraction): a humongous granite carving which was completed in 1972. On November 28, 1962 the Skylift was opened and passengers would board a ‘car’ which would be raised to the very top of the mountain and drop off its passengers. After being dropped off by the skylift, park visitors are able to either lounge at the peak of the mountain, or hike down the mountain. The 2.4 mile Stone Mountain Mountaintop Trail is difficult to navigate and requires that one move/hop over larger rocks in places; however, the 360 degree view from the of the trail top is simply astounding. Ride the Ducks, which was added in 2004, takes park visitors on a land and lake tour visiting some of Stone Mountain Park's most popular sites …show more content…
With the Stone Mountain Railroad in full operation, you can ride the train and enjoy the breath-taking view, then climb the mountain. Since its creation, Stone Mountain has become a state park and a popular rock climbing exhibit. Climbers are given a harness and are told to use the pegs to climb the wall. Through the years of amateur rock climbing, many may choose to continue on to more extreme rock climbing. Today, many people climb the enormous rock of Stone Mountain, however, outdoor climbing in a brand new challenge. Stone Mountain officials are constantly updating the features of the mountain to ensure a safe climbing experience. “Recently the CCC initiated a collaborative project with the North Carolina Division of State Parks to develop and implement a plan to replace the aging rock-climbing anchors on Stone Mountain, one of the Southeast's premier rock-climbing areas and a popular state park. Because of the lack of natural features, pioneering climbers placed pitons and expansion bolts in the rock to safeguard their ascents, and so that subsequent climbers may climb safely and confidently” (Attarian