November 28, 2006
| This week, we hiked on the Jack’s Knob trail to the intersection with the Appalachian Trail at Chattahoochee Gap and continued southward for a couple of miles.
HIKERS – Melissa Anderson, Thomas Bowers, Phil Brownrigg, Jack Jacobi, Dick Metzgar, Leigh Ann Miller, Wayne Miller, Jeanne O’Connor, Donna Presley, Tony Presley, Dan Ross, Dave Standard, Bob Thompson, David Whitaker, and Geri Whitaker. TRAIL INFO. – Starting at the parking lot on Hwy. 180 at the intersection for the access road to the Brasstown Bald Visitors Center, the Jack’s Knob trail heading southward leads 2.4 miles to the Appalachain Trail at Chattahoochee Gap. This portion of the trail is very hilly. From Chattahoochee Gap southward, the trail has one moderate climb over one mountain and down to a very long flat potion of the A.T. This is probably the longest flat stretch on the Georgia portion of the trail. It follows an old roadbed and you pass a series of culverts made with stacked stone that we think were built in the 1930’s by the C.C.C. Total hiking distance – 8+ miles. Rating – Moderately difficult on the Jack’s Knob portion because of the elevation change. Directions: Drive North from Helen, GA on Hwy 75 past Unicoi Gap and continue down the other side of the mountain and continue to the intersection of Hwy 180. Turn left on Hwy. 180 and drive to the Hwy. “alt 180” intersection on the right (stop here). There is a parking lot at this intersection for access to the Jack’s Knob Trail. Another great day for a hike! Cloudy and cool with a occasional sprinkles, temperatures from the low 50’s to the upper 50’s F. FLOWERS IN BLOOM: Witch Hazel BIRDS IDENTIFIED: Nuthatch, Pileated Woodpecker, Crow, Carolina Wren, Titmouse, Junco, Carolina Chickadee |
 Unloading at the parking lot. |
 The sign adjacent to our parking lot. |
 Heading up the first climb on the Jack’s Knob Trail. |
 Trail sign near the start. |
 Constant mountain views along the trail! (only after the leaves have fallen) |
 Working our way up the first long mountain climb. |
 Here, we join the A.T. at Chattahoochee Gap. |
 View from Chattahoochee Gap. |
 Taking a short break. |
 We are now on the old roadbed with stacked stone culverts and flat walking for a change. |
 The OFHC gang for today’s hike. (l-r front) Leigh Ann Miller, Dick Metzgar, Dave Standard, Melissa Anderson and trail dog “Nugget”. (l-r back) Tony Presley, Jack Jacobi, Phil Brownrigg, Donna Presley, Bob Thompson, Geri Whitaker, Wayne Miller, Thomas Bowers, Jeanne O’Connor, Dan Ross, and David Whitaker. |