April 11, 2006
| This week’s hike was on the Bartram Trail in extreme N. Georgia. We hiked from the Hale Ridge Road trail crossing up to Rabun Bald. Rabun Bald is the second highest mountain peak in Georgia at 4,696 ft.
HIKERS – Melissa Anderson, John Bellamy, Phil Brownrigg, David Carswell, Ray Cowan, Jack Jacobi, Beth McDonald, Wanda Miller, Wayne Miller, Bruce O’Connor, Jeanne O’Connor, Bob Presley, Donna Presley, Tony Presley, Doug Russell, Bob Thompson, David Whitaker and Geri Whitaker. TRAIL INFO. – This section of the Bartram Trail is very well maintained and is just an outstanding hike. Total hiking distance today, approx. 8.4 miles. Directions: Take Hwy. 441 N from Clayton, GA through Dillard, GA and turn right onto GA 246 / NC 106 toward Highlands, NC. Drive about 7 miles and turn right at the Scaly Mtn. Ski Slope. Go a couple of miles and turn left onto Hale Ridge road. Drive a mile or so and you will see the trail crossing sign on your right. Another great day for a hike! Fair with temperatures ranging from the mid 40’s to the mid 60’s F. FLOWERS IN BLOOM: Bluet, Round-leafed Yellow Violet, Star Chickweed, Halberd-leafed Violet, Pussytoes, Trailing Arbutus, Common Purple Violet, Robin’s Plaintain, Cinquefoil, Serviceberry, Dogwood. BIRDS IDENTIFIED: Titmouse, Hooded Warbler, Pileated Woodpecker, Red Eyed Vireo, Yellow Throated Vireo, White Breasted Nuthatch, Crow, Carolina Wren, Black & Blue Warbler, Carolina Chickadee, Towhee, Veery, Pine Warbler, Woodcock, Junco, Black & White Warbler and Black Throated Green Warbler. |
 We parked on Hale Ridge Rd. for our hike on the Bartram Trail. |
 A nice new trail sign! |
 About a half-mile out, we pass this nice little waterfall. |
 Working our way up the mountain toward Rabun Bald. |
 The Rabun Bald Tower! |
 Views in every direction! |
 view 2! |
 View 3! |
 We left our hiking sticks at the base of the tower for lunch. |
 This friendly little Junco enjoyed some bread crumbs that we tossed to him! |
 Our first ever sighting (while hiking) of an American Woodcock. This beauty was walking slowly beside the trail when Ray Cowan captured this photo! |
 The OFHC gang for today’s hike. (l-r front) Ray Cowan, Jeanne O’Connor, Bruce O’Connor, Beth McDonald, Melissa and “Bo” Anderson, Geri Whitaker, Donna Presley, Wanda Miller, and Tony Presley. (l-r standing) John Bellamy, David Carswell, Wayne Miller, Phil Brownrigg, Bob Thompson, David Whitaker, Doug Russell, Bob Presley, and Jack Jacobi. |