January 2, 2007
| This week, we hiked on the Bartram Trail from Warwoman Dell (east of Clayton, GA) to Rainy Mountain and beyond to an unnamed mountain. We also did the side trail out to Big Rock which overlooks Camp Rainey Mountain and Lake Toccoa.
HIKERS – John Bellamy, June Bellamy, Phil Brownrigg, Ray Cowan, Jack Jacobi, Dick Metzgar, Wayne Miller, Bruce O’Connor, Jeanne O’Connor, Donna Presley, Tony Presley, Dan Ross, Doug Russell, Bob Thompson, David Whitaker, Geri Whitaker, Carole Wintle. TRAIL INFO. – This portion of the Bartram is very well-maintained and is a very pleasant hike in the N. GA mountains. Total elevation gain for our hike today was 300 feet. There are nice mountain views all along the trail (especially in the wintertime). Today’s hiking distance – approx. 8 miles Directions: Take Highway 884 East from Clayton, GA for 5 miles or so on Warwoman Road and look for the Warwoman Dell sign on the right and turn right and drive to the end of the dirt road and park. Take the trail to the left up the mountain following the yellow blazes. Another great day for a hike – Sunny and cool.Temperatures from the low 30’s to upper 40’s F. BIRDS IDENTIFIED: Pileated Woodpecker, Titmouse, Ruffed Grouse, Carolina Chickadee, Ruby Crowned Kinglet, Crow. |
 Engraved trail rock at the start of the hike from Warwoman Dell. |
 A great walk through the forest! |
 Here, we can see all the way to Currahee Mountain near Toccoa, GA. “Currahee” is a Cherokee name for “stands alone”. |
 Here, we get our first view of Lake Toccoa at Camp Rainey Mountain. |
 Trail sign for our next destination.. |
 From Big Rock, we get this view of Rainey Mountain. |
 From the same location, we look over Camp Rainey Mountain |
 Telephoto of Camp Rainey Mountain from the same location. |
 We are climbing back up from Big Rock (difficult footing!). There is a nice big rope to help make the climb safer. |
 We notice that quite a few of the yellow plastic Bartram Trail markers have been chewed by animals (maybe squirrels?). |
 Back at Warwoman Dell, we find some nice historical signs. |
 sign continued.. |
 The OFHC gang for today’s hike. (l-r kneeling) Tony Presley, Bruce O’Connor, and Dick Metzgar. (l-r standing) Doug Russell, Ray Cowan, Phil Brownrigg, Dan Ross, Donna Presley, Carole Wintle, Bob Thompson, Jeanne O’Connor, Wayne Miller, June Bellamy, Geri Whitaker, John Bellamy, Jack Jacobi, and David Whitaker. |