November 21, 2006
| This week’s hike was on the Appalachian Trail from the Byron Herbert Reese Park to Wolf Laurel Top in extreme North GA.
HIKERS – John Bellamy, June Bellamy, Phil Brownrigg, Jack Jacobi, Wayne Miller, Bruce O’Connor, Jeanne O’Connor, Donna Presley, Tony Presley, Dan Ross, Bob Thompson, David Whitaker, and Geri Whitaker. TRAIL INFO. – Leaving the Byron Reese Parking lot, we first walked about a half-mile up to Mountain Crossings at Walasi-Yi. From here, we followed the trail eastward toward Wolf Laurel Top. We passed through Bull Gap and over Levelland Mountain, Swaim Gap, Rock Spring Top, Corbin Horse Stamp and finally up to Wolf Laurel Top for our lunch break. After lunch, we reversed course and returned. This is a very hilly hike but the scenery is very nice. Total hiking distance – 8 miles. Rating – Difficult because of the elevation change. Directions: Take US 19 and 129, north from Cleveland, GA and drive approximately 18 miles to the Byron Herbert Reese Park just a half mile past Neels Gap and the Walasi-Yi Center. Another great day for a hike! Sunny and cold, temperatures from 27 to 47 F. FLOWERS IN BLOOM: None. BIRDS IDENTIFIED: Crow, Titmouse, Pileated Woodpecker, Blue Jay, Carolina Wren, Junco. |
 Mountain Crossings at Walasi-Yi. The only place along the 2,100+ mile A.T. that the trail passes under a roof! |
 The historic Out-House at Walasi-Yi. |
 Awesome views along the trail! |
 The leaves have fallen and the trail has a wintertime look… |
 Typical trail-side view! |
 Signs of winter as we see remnants of our first dusting of snow from yesterday. |
 We arrive at Wolf Laurel Top and lunchtime! |
 View one from Wolf Laurel. |
 View two. |
 This view is along the trail back to Neels Gap. |
 The OFHC gang for today’s hike. (l-r) Phil Brownrigg, David Whitaker, Dan Ross, Geri Whitaker, Donna Presley, John Bellamy, June Bellamy, Jeanne O’Connor, Bob Thompson, Bruce O’Connor, Wayne Miller, Jack Jacobi, and Tony Presley. |