10/24/06 Jones Gap – Fish Hawk Mtn. – Bartram Tr.

HIKERS – John Bellamy, June Bellamy, Jack Jacobi, Bryan Lambert, Wayne Miller, Donna Presley, Tony Presley, Dan Ross, David Whitaker, Geri Whitaker, and Carole Wintle.

TRAIL INFO. – After missing a weekly hike for the first time this year due to heavy rain storms last week, we got back on track this week with an absolutely awesome hike on the Bartram Trail. We traveled to Jones Gap (near Highlands, NC) and hiked the Bartram Trail over to the base of Fish Hawk Mountain. Along the way there are two short side trails that lead to breath-taking over-looks and today, the Fall leaf colors were very nice.

The first side trail leads up to Jones Knob and the second leads up to Whiterock Mountain (our lunch spot). Both have large rock faces with no trees to block awesome views of the mountains and deep valleys below. The Bartram trail was in great shape as usual.

Total hiking distance – 7 miles round trip.

Directions: From the corner of 4th and Main in Highlands, take US64/28 (toward Franklin) for 4.2 miles to Turtle Pond Rd. (SR1620). Turn left and drive 1.1 miles to SR1678. Turn right and drive 1.4 miles to the top of a hill. Turn left on Jones Gap Rd. (FR4522). Take this road 2 miles to the parking area. The trail leaves the parking area on the right

Another great day for a hike! Mostly Sunny and cold, temperatures from the low 30’s to the low 40’s F.

FLOWERS IN BLOOM: Heart-leafed Aster, Perfoliated Aster, Witch Hazel, Phlox and Mountain Gentian.

BIRDS IDENTIFIED: Crow, Peregrine Falcon, Junco