Rich history, high elevations, and Scenic Views
Kennesaw Mountain Battlefield park offers over 15 miles of hiking/running trails with history and scenic views in its nearly 3000 acre National Battlefield. The Kennesaw Mountain Battlefield preserves a Civil War battleground of the Atlanta Campaign. Opposing forces maneuvered and fought here from June 19, 1864 until July 2, 1864 (NPS). Its rich history is evident from the moment you arrive. The first thing we noticed when we arrived to the Visitor's Center was a cannon. I've never seen a canon outside of a history book, so it was interesting to see.
I was initially planning to walk one of the trails surrounding the mountain since I was not really feeling up to the challenge of hiking up the mountain after being sick for the past week. However, after much deliberation with my brother, he convinced me to go up the mountain instead. Of which I'm glad he did despite my lack of energy. For had I not gone up the mountain, I would have missed out on seeing the canons at the top, the accomplishment excitement, and of course the top of the mountain summit view.
Sluggish beginning
Unlike Stone Mountain, Kennesaw Mountain quickly rises in elevation. From the moment we found the walk-up trail, it was already more of an incline in comparison to Stone Mountain. In Stone Mountain, it is a gradual increase in elevation from the walk-up trail entrance as compared to Kennesaw Mountain where it immediately increases in elevation. Perhaps my lack of energy from being sick could have had something to do with my perception of tiredness, but this hike has been the most physically challenging for me.
During my previous hikes, my mantra has been to keep going and not stop until I've reached the top/end. For this hike however, I had to take a couple breaks. When we were about 2/3 of the way up, my calf muscles felt tense, I kept coughing and felt out of breath. At one moment, I considered letting my brother go to the top while I wait for him there. However, I did not allow myself to quit, instead I took a longer break and then decided to get back up and keep going. After my break, I felt more energetic and better about the hike. I guess it's true, its all about your perspective/attitude. Before I knew it, I realized we were near the top!
During my previous hikes, my mantra has been to keep going and not stop until I've reached the top/end. For this hike however, I had to take a couple breaks. When we were about 2/3 of the way up, my calf muscles felt tense, I kept coughing and felt out of breath. At one moment, I considered letting my brother go to the top while I wait for him there. However, I did not allow myself to quit, instead I took a longer break and then decided to get back up and keep going. After my break, I felt more energetic and better about the hike. I guess it's true, its all about your perspective/attitude. Before I knew it, I realized we were near the top!
View from the top of Kennesaw Mountain
It was all worth the sluggish beginning and tiresome hike once we reached the top and were able to see the views from
the top! I was so glad I decided to keep going despite my lack of energy.
Alternate route
Just as we were getting ready to go back down the mountain, we noticed people going in two different directions. We decided to take the alternate route in order to be able to experience both routes. The road route is about .5 mile longer than the walk-up the mountain trail. Most people taking this route were bikers or runners. There was also a shuttle that brings visitors to the top of the mountain without the hike.
- When recovering from being sick, go on an easier hike. It seems like common sense to many, but for me, I thought that since I felt better, I'd be fine to go on this hike.
- Go to the restroom before you go on the hike. I thought there would be some restrooms at the top, like Stone Mountain.
- Attitude is everything!
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