April 6, 2004
| HIKERS – John Bellamy, Jack Jacobi, Steve Jordan, Wayne Miller, John Mooneyham, Bob Presley, Tony Presley, Dan Ross, Gerald Shedd, Jack Slaton, Bob Thompson, David Whitaker.
TRAIL INFO. – Our hike today was on Arkaquah Trail starting at Track Rock Gap Archaeological Site east of Blairsville, GA. This ancient site features rock carvings / etchings reported by some archaeologists to be dated from 1000 B.C.. We hiked The Arkaquah Trail to a point 1 mi or so from Brasstown Bald, GA. The trail-head is located on Track Rock Gap Road about 6 miles east of Blairsville, GA. Another beautiful hiking day! Fair skies with temps ranging from the upper 30’s to the upper 60’s F. Total hike approx. 9 miles. We rated the trail strenuous with lots of elevation change. Fauna identified : White-breasted Nuthatch, Red-eyed Vireo, Turkey Vulture, Pileated Woodpecker, and Black-throated Blue Warbler. Wildflowers in bloom: Bloodroot, Cut-leaved Toothwort, Trailing Arbutus, Yellow Toadshade Trillium, Red Toadshade Trillium, Serviceberry. |
 The sign at the Archaeological Site at Track Rock Gap. |
 We look at the ancient carvings at Track Rock. |
 The trail marker across the road from the Archaeological site. |
 Here we are making our way up the very long uphill segment to Buzzard Roost. |
 This is an excellent wildflower trail. Here are Yellow and Red Toadshade Trilliums. |
 This is a Service Berry tree in bloom along the trail. |
 From the ridge at the top of the mountain we get some awesome mountain views. |
 A typical trail-side view. |
 Near our lunch-spot, we get a nice view of Brasstown Bald. |
 The OFHC gang for today’s hike. (l-r)David Whitaker, Wayne Miller, John Mooneyham, Tony Presley, John Bellamy, Dan Ross, Jack Slaton, Bob Presley, Gerald Shedd (sitting), Bob Thompson, Jack Jacobi, and Steve Jordan. |