January 11, 2005
| HIKERS – Steve Bennett, Phil Brownrigg, John Hires, Jack Jacobi, Dick Metzgar, Wayne Miller, Bob Presley, Donna Presley, Tony Presley, Dan Ross, Doug Russell, Jack Slaton and Bob Thompson.
TRAIL INFO. – Today’s hike was on the Appalachian Trail from Winding Stair Gap to Siler Bald and back. We did the alternate route by the Siler Bald Shelter on the way up and returned by the normal A.T. route. The hike is mostly uphill on the way up to Siler but the trail is in good shape with excellent footing. The visibility was very poor with heavy fog, so we did not walk the final .2 mile up the grassy slope to the summit. Total distance out and back – 8.0 miles. Directions: From Franklin, NC, take Highway 64 West for about 10 miles and look for the parking lot on the left. (It is just beyond the large rock cliffs on each side of the road) You will see the Appalachian Trail sign. Another great day for a hike! Cloudy, foggy, light misty rain at times. Temperatures ranging from the mid 40’s to the mid 50’s F. FAUNA IDENTIFIED: Grey Squirrel. |
 The A.T. sign at Winding Stair Gap parking lot. |
 About a quarter mile into the hike, we pass this nice little waterfall. |
 A nice camping spot on the creek just south of Swinging Lick Gap. |
 The new sign at Swinging Lick! |
 Most of the hike today was very foggy. |
 There are lots of small creeks and streams on this portion of the A.T. |
 The misty rain made the trail foggy and damp. |
 Even though the poor visibility did not give us the normal mountain views, nature still provided nice views like this ancient moss-covered tree. |
 Lunchtime at the Siler Bald Shelter. The OFHC gang for today’s hike. (l-r) Steve Bennett, Bob Presley, Donna Presley, John Hires, Dick Metzgar, Jack Slaton, Wayne Miller, Bob Thompson, Penny (the trail dog), Tony Presley, Phil Brownrigg, Doug Russell, Dan Ross, Jack Jacobi. |