January 9, 2007
| This week, we hiked on the Lake Russell Trails in the Lake Russell Recreation Area near Cornelia, GA. We hiked the Lake Russell Loop Trail (4.6 miles) and the Sourwood Loop Trail (2.7 miles) and a connector between the two loops.
Total Hike 8 miles. 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, Pom Sinnock, and Bob Thompson. TRAIL INFO. – The two loop trails are in excellent shape and the terrain is mostly flat with a few moderate hills. All stream crossings have wooden foot-bridges. A tree had recently fallen on a new bridge on the Sourwood Loop but it was passable, although broken. Today’s hiking distance – approx. 8 miles Directions: On U.S. 123 East of Cornelia, near the Mt. Airy, GA railroad bridge, turn onto the Lake Russell Recreation Area access road. Drive about 2.5 miles to the parking lot at Nancytown Lake. Another great day for a hike – Partly cloudy, breezy and cool.Temperatures from the low 30’s to low 40’s F. BIRDS IDENTIFIED: Blue Jay, Chickadee, White-breasted Nuthatch, Ruby Crowned Kinglet, Downy Woodpecker, Pileated Woodpecker, Woodcock, Dark-eyed Junco, Winter Wren, American Crow, Turkey Vulture and Canada Goose. |
 Our starting point today was the Nancytown Lake Dam parking lot. |
 The trail passes through the Lake Russell swimming area |
 We always see ducks or geese on this hike. (Canada Geese here) |
 The only houses on Lake Russell are Wood Duck houses! |
 At the 1.5 mile mark of the Lake Russell Loop. |
 The trail passes just below the Lake Russell Dam. |
 This loop trail stays very close to the lake for the 4.6 mi. |
 After finishing the Lake Russell Loop, we head over to the Sourwood Trail. |
 We have a “relaxing” lunch just below Nancytown Waterfalls. |
 Nancytown Falls is not spectacular but it is nice! |
 Nancytown Creek features several nice cascades. |
 The OFHC gang for today’s hike. (l-r kneeling) Tony Presley, Dick Metzgar, “Jet” facing backwards, and Bruce O’Connor. (l-r standing) Jack Jacobi, Phil Brownrigg, Dan Ross, Jeanne O’Connor, John Bellamy, Donna Presley, Wayne Miller, June Bellamy, Pom Sinnick, Bob Thompson, Ray Cowan, and Doug Russell. |