December 14, 2004
| HIKERS – Phil Brownrigg, Jack Jacobi, Dick Metzgar, Wayne Miller, Bob Presley, Donna Presley, Tony Presley, Dan Ross, Dave Standard, Bob Thompson, Geri Whitaker, David Whitaker.
TRAIL INFO. – Today’s hike was on the Lake Russell Trail and the Sourwood Trail – Total – 8 miles. We rated the trails moderately easy with few hills. The trails are located in the Chattahoochee National Forest in the Lake Russell Recreation area near Cornelia, GA. Directions: Take Ga 365/U.S. 23 North from Gainesville past Cornelia to Hwy 197. Turn right for approximately 3 miles until dead-end. Right on Dicks Hill Parkway for approx. ¾ mile. Turn left onto the paved Lake Russell Road. . Another great day for a hike! Fair, breezy and cold all day with temps. ranging from 24 to 35 degrees F. BIRDS IDENTIFIED: Pileated Woodpecker, Red-Bellied Woodpecker, Downy Woodpecker, Canada Goose, Belted Kingfisher, Great Blue Heron, Carolina Wren, Northern Cardinal. |
 We first hiked the Lake Russell Trail which is a very nice loop around the lake approximately 4.6 miles. |
 The trail passes below the Lake Russell Dam. |
 A nice view of the creek below the dam. |
 For most of the loop, you are near the water. |
 Below Nancytown Dam, the bridge has been washed to the side and we had to rock-hop across the creek. (no one got wet!) |
 Next, we hiked the Sourwood Trail which is a 2.7 mile loop consisting of rolling woodlands and includes Nancytown Falls and Creek. |
 A nice spot along Nancytown Creek. |
 Another typical view along the creek! |
 The OFHC gang for today’s hike. (l-r)kneeling – Dave Standard, Bob Presley, David Whitaker. (l-r standing) Jack Jacobi, Phil Brownrigg, Wayne Miller, Donna Presley, Dan Ross, Dick Metzgar, Geri Whitaker, Bob Thompson, Tony Presley. |