January 30, 2007
| This week, we hiked the Broad River Trail from start to finish and back. This is a very nice hiking trail in the Lake Russell Wildlife Management Area of the Chattahoochee National Forest. The trail is well-maintained and is designated for foot travel only and is a point to point trail that starts on Forest Service Road 87 at Dicks Creek and ends at Farmers Bottom also on F.S road 87. The trail is located west of Toccoa, GA.
HIKERS – John Bellamy, June Bellamy, Dick Metzgar, Wayne Miller, Bruce O’Connor, Jeanne O’Connor, Donna Presley, Tony Presley, Dan Ross, Bob Thompson, David Whitaker, Geri Whitaker, and Carole Wintle. TRAIL INFO. – This beautiful trail follows Dicks Creek until it intersects the Broad River and continues to Farmers Bottom. Much of the trail is alongside the river with mostly flat terrain. Total hiking distance today – 7.7 miles. Directions: Take Hwy. 123 west out of Toccoa and turn left onto Ayersville Road which is near the entrance to Patterson Pump, Inc. Follow this road for less than a mile and turn left onto F.S. Road 87. Drive about 2 miles past the game checking station and look for the trail head on the right. Another great day for a hike – Mostly sunny and cool.Temperatures from the upper 20’s to low 40’s F. WILDFLOWERS IN BLOOM: Purple Violet and White Violet. BIRDS IDENTIFIED: Turkey Vulture, Pileated Woodpecker, Carolina Wren, Hairy Woodpecker, Junco and Towhee. |
 Parking for the north end of the trail is along F.S. Road 87. |
 Nice trail sign near the start. |
 Nice rapids along Dicks Creek. |
 Results of a cool January night! |
 Here, the trail is on the edge of the river. |
 The nice footbridge at Farmers Bottom. |
 Today’s trail dogs, Jet and Jessie lead the way. |
 The trail is very well-marked and maintained. |
 Lunchtime along the trail! |
 A peaceful spot along the Broad River. |
 The OFHC gang for today’s hike. (l-r) Tony Presley, Dan Ross, Carole Wintle, Dick Metzgar, Bob Thompson, Wayne Miller, Donna Presley, Geri Whitaker, David Whitaker, Jeanne O’Connor, John Bellamy, June Bellamy, Bruce O’Connor. Dogs – Jessie (left) and Jet (yawning) |