May 3, 2005
| HIKERS – John Bellamy, Phil Brownrigg, Ray Cowan, John Hires, Jack Jacobi, Wayne Miller, Bob Presley,Donna Presley, Tony Presley, Dan Ross, Doug Russell, Dave Standard, David Whitaker, Geri Whitaker.
TRAIL INFO. – Today’s hike was on the Bartram Trail near Buckeye Creek near Otto, NC. Total round trip hiking distance – approx. 10 miles This portion of the Bartram trail is in very good condition and it is always a nice trail for wildflowers. There is a large elevation change from the trail-head up to Wolf Rock (more than 1800 ft. net gain). Directions: Take Highway 441 N. thru Clayton, GA and continue to Otto, NC. Turn right on Tessentee Rd. and go 8-10 miles and turn left onto Buckeye Branch Rd. and drive to the dead-end parking lot just before the Forest Service locked gate. Another great day for a hike! Mostly sunny with temperatures ranging from the upper 40’s to low 60’s. FLOWERS IN BLOOM: Catesby’s Trillium, Vasey’s Trillium, Pink Ladyslipper, Shooting Star, Purple Phacelia, Spring Beauty, Showy Orchis, Toothwort, Lobed Violet, Yellow Round-leafed Violet, Purple Violet, Bedstraw, Wild Strawberries, Huckleberries, Wild Geraniums, Spotted Mandarin, Hooked Buttercup, Robin’s Plaintain, Serviceberry, Blood Root, Vetch, Bluets, Star Chickweed.
BIRDS IDENTIFIED: Red-Eye Vireo, Pileated Woodpecker, Blue Jay, Titmouse, Crow, Hooded Warbler, Broadwing Hawk, Raven, Veery, Black and White Warbler, Oven Bird, Summer Tanager, Kentucky Warbler, Carolina Wren, Turkey Vulture, Towhee, Rose Breasted Grosbeak, Red-bellied Woodpecker, Great Crested Flycatcher, White-Breasted Nuthatch . |
 The trail follows the old F.S. road until it turns left at this point. |
 The trail marker at the turn indicated “Most Difficult”! |
 Continuous nice mountain views along the trail. Especially since the leaves are not yet out. |
 Typical view along the way. |
 Another nice mountain view! |
 Another spectacular wildflower day! (top left clockwise) Nodding Mandarin, Showy Orchis, Shooting Stars, and Vaseys Trillium. |
 Lunchbreak at Wolf Rock Over-look! |
 View from Wolf Rock! (Service Berry Tree blooming on left) |
 Another view from Wolf Rock! |
 The old school bus on the way to Wolf Rock. |
 The OFHC gang for today’s hike. (kneeling l-r) Tony Presley, Geri Whitaker, Bob Presley, and Doug Russell. (standing l-r)Jack Jacobi, David Whitaker, Dave Standard, Donna Presley, John Bellamy, Wayne Miller, John Hires, Dan Ross, Phil Brownrigg and Ray Cowan. |