September 19, 2006
| This week’s hike was in North Carolina, from the Osage Mountain overlook to the Summit of Scaly Mountain and beyond. This hike is on the Bartram Trail near the NC/GA state line. Approximately half of our regular hikers could not hike today since they are election workers and Stephens County had a Special Election (SPLOST) today.
HIKERS – Phil Brownrigg, Terry Doyle, Bill Hess, Jack Jacobi, Wayne Miller, Bruce O’Connor, Jeanne O’Connor, and Bob Thompson . TRAIL INFO. – The Bartram Trail from Osage Mountain Overlook to the other side of Scaly Mountain is a very nice hike with awesome views of the NC/GA mountains. The rock-faced mountain offers many nice photo ops along the way along with a good wildflower environment. Total hiking distance – 7 miles R.T. Directions: Osge Overlook is 5.7 miles west of Highlands on NC Hwy. 106. Or from Dillard, GA turn right on GA 246 which becomes NC 106 and drive approx. 9 miles to Osage Overlook on the right. Another great day for a hike! Partly cloudy, temperatures in the low 70’s. FLOWERS IN BLOOM: Angelica ,Asiatic Dayflower, Blue Wood Aster, Closed Gentian, False Foxglove, Flowering Spurge, Goldenrods, Grass of Parnassus, Hawkweed, Heal-All, Ladys-thumb, Phlox , Southern Harebell, White Wood Aster, Woodland sunflower , Wood sorrel. BIRDS IDENTIFIED: American crow, Blue Jay, Grouse, Junco, Pileated Woodpecker, Pine Warbler, Towhee, White-Breasted Nuthatch. |
 Trail-head for today’s hike. |
 The trail starts across the highway from our parking lot. |
 Creek crossing early into the hike. |
 One of the first mountain views. |
 The clouds are starting to break up. |
 Nice group of mushrooms! |
 A great place for a break on Scaly Mountain. |
 Lunch “on the rocks!” folded layers of biotite gneiss and schist. |
 I had rather eat here than in the finest restaurant in the country! |
 Awesome! |
 The OFHC gang for today’s hike: (l-r) Bill Hess, Phil Brownrigg, Bruce O’Connor (seated), Bob Thompson, Jeanne O’Connor, Wayne Miller, Jack Jacobi, and Terry Doyle. |