May 17, 2005
| HIKERS – John Bellamy, Steve Bennett, Phil Brownrigg, Ray Cowan, Terry Doyle, John Hires, Jack Jacobi, Dick Metzgar, Wayne Miller, Donna Presley, Tony Presley, Dan Ross, Bob Thompson, David Whitaker and Geri Whitaker.
TRAIL INFO. – Today’s hike was on the Bartram Trail starting at Lake Nantahala and hiking Sawmill Gap and back. Total round trip hiking distance – approx. 8 miles This portion of the Bartram trail is in excellent condition and it features extreme elevation change as you walk up to Sawmill Gap. Trail difficult rating: Very strenuous due to a 1,770 ft gain in elevation from the start to the high point. Directions: From Franklin, travel west on US 64 for 3 miles to Old Murphy Road where there is a Wayah Bald sign. Turn right and drive .2 mile to Wayah Road (SR 1310). Turn left and continue past Wayah Crest on down to Lake Nantahala and look for the Bartram Trail sign on the left side of the road.. Another great day for a hike! Mostly fair with temperatures ranging from the low 60’s to the low 70’s. FLOWERS IN BLOOM: Painted Trillium, White Erect Trillium, Purple Erect Trillium, Yellow Ladyslipper, Pink Ladyslipper, Mayapples, Wood Anemone, Wood Betony, Star Chickweed, Bitter Cress, Yellow Round-leafed Violet, White Round-leafed Violet, Purple Heart-leafed Violet, Halberd-leafed Violet, Bluet, White Baneberry, Blue Cohosh, Serviceberry, Wild Strawberry, Sweet Cicely, Yellow Rocket, Hooked Buttercup, Robin’s Plaintain, Foam Flower, Golden Alexander, Sessile Bellwort .
BIRDS IDENTIFIED: Tufted Titmouse, Black-throated Blue Warbler, Black and White Warbler, Chestnut-sided Warbler, Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Parula, Wood Peewee, White-breasted Nuthatch, American Crow, Northern Cardinal, Pileated Woodpecker, Red-eyed Vireo, Oven Bird, Carolina Chickadee, Yellow Throated Vireo, Towhee, Blue Jay, Summer Tanager, Black-throated Green Warbler, Hooded Warbler, Great Crested Flycatcher, Catbird, Broad Wing Hawk. |
 Trail Marker at Lake Nantahala. |
 The trail was mostly up-hill all morning! |
 Looking back down to the Lake. |
 We arrive at our lunch-time destination! |
 Nice panorama from Sawmill Gap ! |
 Another view! |
 Still another nice mountain view! |
 Headed back to Nantahala! |
 A few of today’s wildflower finds. (top left – clockwise) Purple erect Trillium, Painted Trillium, Wood Anemone, and Pink Lady’s Slipper. |
 Yellow Lady’s Slipper just opening! |
 The OFHC gang for today’s hike. (l-r) Dick Metzgar, Ray Cowan, Penny Bennett (seated dog), Steve Bennett, John Hires, Donna Presley, David Whitaker, Geri Whitaker, Jack Jacobi, and Tony Presley. (not pictured – Bob Thompson, Wayne Miller, John Bellamy, Phil Brownrigg, Dan Ross, Terry Doyle, and George W. Bush) |