𝚂𝚝𝚘𝚗𝚎 𝙼𝚘𝚞𝚗𝚝𝚊𝚒𝚗, 𝙶𝚎𝚘𝚛𝚐𝚒𝚊 – The Largest Exposed Granite on Earth

Whether for the first or twentieth time, going to Atlanta’s Stone Mountain Park for sure is always a thrilling adventure. The best part of our second day was seeing the mountain itself.

It was my first time and would love to come back – for many times. To enjoy its natural beauty more. To roam its wilderness. In fact, I want to see it in the early light from the early rising sun and that red light of the setting sun. Thinking of it right now, my heart is racing. It sends a thrilling pulse through me. More than other reasons, it’s because I’ve fallen in love with the road with that sense of hopefulness for the world.

Upon first seeing the huge dome-shaped rock in the distance then gazing from its entrance, I saw it as an irregularly flat oval. As I get closer, this majestic gray granite dome attracts a big awe to me. What seems to be one thing from a distance is very different close up. Transforming into my very eyes. I would say, it’s like – when rocks speak.

It presents an appearance that is extraordinary and unique. A striking appearance because of its nearly perfect natural form. This enormous rock, like a gigantic egg on its side, is ancient – about 280 million years old. It is one of the largest masses of isolated, exposed granite ever discovered.

It is timeless yet impressive. The most compelling formations of its kind. I would like to say that we should not actually pass them by, for they are the very pulse of the earth talking to us. Touch it, feel its vibe, stare at it. Spend quality time on it.

The most visited destination in the State of Georgia

Stone Mountain is a quartz monzonite dome, owned by the State of Georgia. At its summit, the elevation is 1,686 feet (514 m) above sea level. Listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 2001. By 2015, it was the most visited destination in the State of Georgia.

The largest high relief sculpture in the world shows hand-chiseled figures of the Civil War. There are different points of view surrounding these figures, even so, the carving is an astounding view to take in. 

Being here, I don’t want to know what time it is. I don’t want to know what day it is. None of that matters. I stick with what I know that I am here.

To be present in the moment, to accept its mystery. To see its rainbows from can’t see to can see. To connect more with that uninterrupted peace as Blogger/Writer on One Big Mommy wrote… The Beauty of Listening to and the Power of your Inner Voice. It creates a strong impression on me, it keeps me reminded.

Although it’s hard not to think about it. I’m still in the midst of transforming all my powers of concentration. But we gotta leave in a few minutes. Still under its influence. I still have so many questions – but these two were louder than the others?

1. How Stone Mountain came to be?

Trust me, I don’t wanna sound like your history or science teacher here. To make the story shorter, it happened because of the tremendous force of collision of the two continents.  As a result, a huge mass of hot liquid rock called magma formed. 

2. What causes these rocks to crack?

The weathering process is called exfoliation sheeting because of nature’s course – wind, rain, frost and sun. Surface loosened into onion-like layers.

Stone Mountain Park

With over 3,200 acres of natural beauty. Stone Mountain Park is a unique and fun destination where families and friends can enjoy the outdoors together. Drawing nearly 4 million guests each year, this Park offers a lot of fun activities and recreation. For everyone – runners, joggers, walkers, and cyclists, the environment is beautifully maintained. 

Gorgeous mountain, beautiful scenery. I can’t tell you enough, one thing for sure is – it will not disappoint you. But of course if you are a nature lover like me.

How to get there?

The driving distance from Atlanta to Stone Mountain, Georgia is 20 miles. Statistics say, people come to Stone Mountain even in the winter. It attracts an impressive 4 million visitors per year. Stone Mountain has an elevation that on some days reaches the clouds. On some days, the top of the mountain is covered in a heavy fog, and visibility may be limited to only a few feet.

I would suggest bringing something to drink or a light snack.

I feel the aura and sense of life here. Mountains as a symbol of life, obstacles and triumph. I believe this mountain has called us and we must go. Stone just like river, ground and cave has a secret way of being with the mystery, unique and has its own story.

Skyride Aerial Tram

The summit of the mountain can be reached by a Walk-up Trail on the west side of the mountain or by the Skyride Aerial Tram. 

We did the Summit Skyride (Skyride Aerial Tram). It was a very nice ride. The cable car goes to the top of the mountain quickly so it is the easiest way to reach the top and well worth going.

You get to see the carving in the mountain as you go up and down. A birds eye view, it goes right past the carving. The conductor gave some very interesting facts and it was a smooth and quiet ride. Nice narration on the rides up and down.

Going up onto the biggest Granite Rock on Earth. The gondola ride is an amazing experience. Very solid and well-designed with great views out of every side. 

Top Hiking Trails in Stone Mountain Park

Stone Mountain Cherokee Loop Trail 

Stone Walk-Up Trail

Venable lake Loop

King’s Trail at Indian Island

Trail of the Muscogee

Songbird of the Habitat Trail

Nature Trail 

The Summit

The views from the summit were breathtaking, and the breezes were perfect for a summer day. You have free time at the top which is cool. We could see all the way to the Atlanta Skyline. The top of the mountain is a landscape of bare rock and rock pools, and it provides a view of the surrounding area including the skyline of downtown Atlanta.

It’s truly a place to relax and soak up your day. It’s a true panorama of Atlanta. A scenic view of the surrounding area. It’s definitely worth it.

 Quotes for you;

Nature gave men two ends — one to sit on, and one to think with. Ever since then man’s success or failure has been dependent on the one he used most. Robert Albert Bloch.

The story of each stone leads back to a mountain. W.S. Merwin

Travel improves the mind wonderfully

In our 4-day stay in Georgia, frankly – this was the best of the bunch. It has always taught me something. Altogether  i might never have had the will or the way to do any of the things that matter most to me. Aside from the love for my family, had it not been for just being ‘“out there”.

Allowing and letting the road take me – changed who I thought I was.

The road is messy in the way that real life is messy. It leads us out of denial and into reality. Out of facts and into honesty. Out of hesitation and into action. Out of speculations and into stories. In short, out of our minds and into our hearts. A way of being fully awake in the present.

See more @ https://youtu.be/Pgz5hqf0nII

I am amazed and hooked on travel… on everything and what could be.

Thanks for reading.