November 1, 2005
| Today’s hike was on the Appalachian Trail starting at Hog Pen Gap and hiking to the Low Gap Shelter The terrain is rated moderately difficult with several significant climbs.
HIKERS – John Bellamy, Ray Cowan, Jack Jacobi, Dick Metzgar, Wayne Miller, Donna Presley, Tony Presley, Dan Ross, Bill Taylor, Bob Thompson, David Whitaker, and Geri Whitaker. TRAIL INFO. – This portion of the Appalachian Trail is through a nice hardwood forest of Hickory, White Oak, Poplar, Maple, etc. with nice views along the trail especially after most of the leaves have fallen. The trail takes you through White Oak Stamp, over Strawberry Top, Poor Mountain, and Sheep Rock Top before heading down to Low Gap (elev. 3,050 ft.). The high elevation for the day is 3,625 ft. Today’s hiking distance : 9 miles. Directions: Take GA 75 north from Helen for 1.5 miles. Turn left onto GA 356(75 Alternate) and travel 2.3 miles to the Richard B. Russell Scenic Highway. Turn right and travel about 9 miles to Hog Pen Gap. The parking lot is on the right. Another great day for a hike! Cloudy to partly cloudy skies with temperatures ranging from 51 to 65 degrees F. WILDFLOWERS IN BLOOM: Witch Hazel, Heal All, Black-eyed Susan, Coreopsis, White Snakeroot, Mountain Gentian, Blue Aster, Heart-leafed Aster, Purple Bush Aster, Tall Bluet, Hooked Buttercup, Yellow Wood Sorrel, Lady’s Thumb, Phlox.
Most flowers have gone to seed, but, there are still enough blooms to make walks beautiful. BIRDS IDENTIFIED: Carolina Chickadee, Towhee & Crow |
 Getting ready at Hog Pen Gap! |
 Our group heading up the first mountain. |
 This portion of the A.T. is in the Mark Trail Wilderness.. |
 As we walk along, we have many mountain views through the trees. |
 Trail signs at Low Gap.. |
 There are patches of color but the peak will probably be next week.. |
 Lunchtime at the Low Gap Shelter!. |
 Nice yellow foliage on this Striped Maple Tree (Acer pensylvanicum).. |
 Some wildflowers are hanging on after frost. (Coreopsis lanceolata) |
 Doll’s Eyes (the fruit of White Baneberry) |
 Nice marker at Hog Pen. |
 The OFHC gang for today’s hike. (l-r ) Tony Presley, Jack Jacobi, Donna Presley, Dick Metzgar, Bob Thompson, Ray Cowan, Bill Taylor, Dan Ross, Wayne Miller, Geri Whitaker, David Whitaker, and John Bellamy. |