March 28, 2006
| This week’s hike was on the Chattooga River Trail in SC starting at the Hwy. 28 bridge and hiking to Lick Log Falls. This trail shares with the Bartram Trail in this segment and intersects the Foothills Trail just beyond the falls.
HIKERS – Melissa Anderson, John Bellamy, Phil Brownrigg, Jack Jacobi, Steve Jordan, Bryan Lambert, Dick Metzgar, Wayne Miller, Jim Pickens, Bob Presley, Donna Presley, Tony Presley, Dan Ross, Doug Russell, and Bob Thompson. TRAIL INFO. – This is a nicely maintained trail that takes the hiker through beautiful forests featuring lots of hardwoods, hemlocks, white pines, rhododendron and mountain laurel. There are lots of creeks to go along with the beautiful wild and scenic Chattooga River. The hills are moderate and there are lots of level stretches. We rate it moderately easy. Directions: Take Hwy. 28 between Highlands, NC and Walhalla, SC and drive to the Hwy. 28 Bridge (Russell Bridge) and park in the parking lot on the SC side of the bridge. Total hiking distance today, approx. 8 miles. Another great day for a hike! Cloudy to partly cloudy with temperatures ranging from the mid 40’s to the low 50’s F. FLOWERS IN BLOOM: Trailing Arbutus. Yellowroot, Purple Toadshade Trillium,Rue Anemone, Hepatica, Round-leafed Yellow Violet, Halberd -leafed Violet, Bloodroot, Pussytoes, Blue Violet, White Violet. BIRDS IDENTIFIED: Carolina Wren, Pileated Woodpecker, Summer Tanager, Belted Kingfisher, Chickadee, Tufted Titmouse, Pine Warbler, Crow, Wood Duck . |
 The weathered sign at the start. |
 The bridge crossing at Ira Branch |
 Another great day for a hike! |
 One of the few hills that we had to climb. |
 The trail brings you along the Chattooga River for some nice views. |
 This is a nice deep area along the river. |
 The water was absolutely crystal clear! |
 We pass the first set of falls on Lick Log Creek. |
 Our lunch spot for the day! |
 The Gargoyle-looking tree! |
 Some of today’s wildflowers: (top left – clockwise) Toadshade Trillium, Bloodroot, Hepatica, Round-leaved Yellow Violet. |
 The OFHC gang for today’s hike. (l-r front) Steve Jordan, Tony Presley, Melissa Anderson, Donna Presley, Jim Pickens, and Phil Brownrigg. (l-r back) Jack Jacobi, Dan Ross, Dick Metzgar, Bryan Lambert, Bob Presley, Wayne Miller, Doug Russell, John Bellamy, and Bob Thompson. |