This cache is placed with permission. Please follow all park rules, noting that the park is open Dawn to Dusk (no night caching, please).
Cell service will be limited in various areas on the AMNHA Geo-Path. Please plan accordingly.
Questions or need to share a challenge with a cache?
Send us a message through the Geocaching app
Remember to bring a pen, items to trade, and follow recommended
Geocaching Etiquette
.
CONGRATULATIONS TO SOLAR FOR BEING THE FTF!
AMNHA Geo-Path Series
AMNHA: Quarry
Passport:
Geo-Path
Series: Arabia Mountain Adventures
Password: Located in the logbook
Hours: Sunrise to Sunset
Parking Options: See waypoints (paid or free)
AMNHA and the U.S. National Parks GeoTour
This geocache is part of the AMNHA Geo-Path and also qualifies for the
U.S. National Parks GeoTour (GT6A). It is one of a small number of caches in the Arabia Mountain National Heritage Area that connects both programs, linking a local landscape of granite outcrops, wetlands, and cultural history with a nationwide GeoTour experience.
If you are using the Geocaching app, tap the GeoTour button on this cache page to view GeoTour details and track your progress, or use the link below.
View the U.S. National Parks GeoTour (GT6A)
The cache is located in Davidson-Arabia Mountain Nature Preserve. The Nature Preserve is along Klondike Road south of Lithonia in southeastern DeKalb County Georgia. From the Nature Center either take the Mile Rock Trail or take the Arabia Mountain PATH south and intersect the Mile Rock Trail at the remains of the old quarry office building. The cache is a short distance off the Mile Rock Trail and less than one mile from the Nature Center. Visitors should stay on the trail when navigating toward the cache. When in the immediate area, visitors will need to leave the trail, being careful not to step on sensitive plants, moss, or lichen.
This section of trail passes through one of the preserve’s historic quarry corridors, where the landscape still shows evidence of past stone work alongside recovering habitat.
Arabia Mountain is one of the two famous granite peaks in the Arabia Mountain National Heritage Area (AMNHA), located just east of Atlanta, Georgia. It’s a type of mountain called a monadnock, which means it stands out because it’s made of hard granite that resists erosion, unlike the softer surrounding land that has worn away over millions of years.
In the quarried areas of Arabia Mountain, granite was once cut and removed for use in streets, buildings, and construction projects. If you look closely along the Mile Rock area, you may notice subtle reminders of that era: worked stone, altered rock faces, and the footprint of old operations tucked into the woods.
In these same quarried areas, there’s a phenomenon called “pop-ups.” These are sudden events when pieces of granite break off from the surface of the mountain. This happens because of a natural process called exfoliation, where the outer layers of granite expand and contract as the temperature changes. Over time, this causes the rock to peel away in sections.
These “pop-ups” are more likely to happen on hot summer days, and they can be dangerous. Avoid lingering directly below steep granite faces and give exposed outcrops extra space on hot days.
Quarrying changed parts of this mountain forever, but it also helps tell the story of how people lived and worked here. Today, the preserve protects both the natural granite landscape and the traces of the past that shaped it.
About the Arabia Mountain National Heritage Area (AMNHA)
The Arabia Mountain National Heritage Area is a unique landscape just east of Atlanta, known for its beautiful granite outcrops and rich history. Spanning over 40,000 acres, it includes not only the stunning Arabia and Panola Mountains but also former quarries, agricultural sites, historic communities, and spiritual centers.
The area has a deep history, from Native American settlements to European settlers and enslaved Africans. Arabia Mountain was once a major granite quarry that supplied stone for structures like the U.S. Naval Academy. Panola Mountain, however, was spared from quarrying and remains a pristine natural space with rare plants and wildlife.
Today, visitors can explore hiking, biking, and nature trails, and discover historic sites like Vaughters' Farm and the Flat Rock community, one of Georgia’s oldest African-American communities. The Monastery of the Holy Spirit, a peaceful retreat, is also located here.
Popular Trails in the Area:
• Arabia Mountain Top Trail (1.3 miles) – A beginner-friendly trail leading to 360-degree views at the summit.
• Mile Rock Trail and Forest Trail Loop (2 miles) – A scenic loop through forests and granite expanses, passing a picturesque lake.
• Arabia Mountain View Trail (2.3 miles) – A trail through shaded forests, open rock areas, and grassy meadows.
• Cascade Trail and Wilburn Farm Trail (3.25 miles) – A scenic loop that passes waterfalls and historic barn ruins.
• Arabia Mountain Boardwalk Trail Loop (5.1 miles) – The park’s most scenic trail, featuring forests, Arabia Lake, and panoramic mountain views.
The AMNHA offers a peaceful escape from the city, with opportunities for outdoor adventures and a deeper connection to Georgia’s natural and cultural history.
Capturing Change Over Time
You may notice Chronolog stations near Arabia Lake and other points along the trail. These stations invite visitors to take a photo from a fixed location, helping document how the landscape changes over time. Seasonal shifts, weather, wildlife, and human impact all become part of a growing visual record created by the people who explore this place.
Are You Ready to Find More Geocaches?
Come explore the
Arabia Mountain PATH
and earn trackable prizes along the way.
The
AMNHA Geo-PATH
is a geocaching program spread across more than 30 miles of the Arabia Mountain PATH hike and bike trail.
Many geocaches are waiting to be discovered.
Download the passports
Geocaching Adventures Passport
Each cache is classified into one of the following series:
• Adventure Labs
• Arabia Mountain Adventures
• Geocaching 101
• GeoTour
• Lands Less Visited
• Lithonia's Historic Hike
• Panola Mountain Pathways
• Past and Present Passages
• South River Stroll
Completed the passports?
Choose one of the following options to claim your prize:
Scan and email the Arabia Alliance Team
Scan and mail to the Arabia Alliance office
Additional Links
Trail Maps and
Landmarks
Learn and
Activities
Tips for Hiking in the Summer Heat
Tips for Avoiding Ticks
Winter Hikes and Winter Wildlife
Waypoints and
Adding or Viewing Coordinates
Trails Map Type Option