December 20, 2005
| Today’s hike was on the Broad River Trail from Dicks Creek to Farmers Bottom and back. This is an excellent trail although there were quite a few downed trees from last Thursday’s severe ice storm.
HIKERS – John Bellamy, Bob Magee, Dick Metzgar, Wayne Miller, Bruce O’Connor, Jeanne O’Connor, Bob Presley, Dan Ross, Doug Russell, David Tate, and Bill Taylor. TRAIL INFO. – This is a very nice woodland trail along mountain streams with only gently rolling hills. The ice storm from last week has downed quite a few trees which obstructed the trail in a few places. Directions: Take Hwy. 123 west out of Toccoa and turn left onto Ayersville Road which is near the entrance to Patterson Pump, Inc. Follow this road for less than a mile and turn left onto F.S. Road 87. Drive about 2 miles past the game checking station and look for the trail head on the right. Today’s hiking distance – 7.6 miles Another great day for a hike! Partly cloudy to Fair with temperatures ranging from 30 to the low 40’s F. FLOWERS IN BLOOM: Witch Hazel BIRDS IDENTIFIED: Red-shouldered Hawk, American Crow, Hairy Woodpecker, Carolina Wren, Junco. |
 Our parking spot for the day was along the side of the road on F.S. road 87. |
 The trail sign near the parking spot. |
 A nice calm spot along the river. |
 A beautiful rushing cascade of water. |
 The remains of a rock furnace for a liquor still. At one time, this area was popular with moonshiners! |
 Bob’s new Nikon! |
 Our group crossing the bridge at Farmers Bottom. |
 One of the downed trees. |
 We are always amazed by this circular Hemlock tree. |
 Dare-devil Dan walks the log across a creek-bed. |
 Lunchtime on the trail! |
 The O.F.H.C. gang for today’s hike. (kneeling l-r) Bob Presley, Jeanne O’Connor, Bruce O’Connor (standing l-r) Bill Taylor, Dick Metzgar, John Bellamy, David Tate, Wayne Miller, Bob Magee, Doug Russell, Dan Ross. |