April 17, 2007
| Today’s hike was on the Chattooga River Trail starting at the Highway 28 Bridge on the South Carolina side of the river. This was an out-and-back hike to Lick Log Creek and Falls.
HIKERS – John Bellamy, Chuck Crisp, Jack Jacobi, Billups Johnson, Linda Johnson, Dick Metzgar, Wayne Miller, Bruce O’Connor, Jeanne O’Connor, Donna Presley, Tony Presley, Joe Raguckas, Doug Russell, David Whitaker and Geri Whitaker. TRAIL INFO. – This portion of the Chattooga River Trail also has signs indicating that it is part of the Bartram Trail but the Bartram Trail Society says that no portion of the Bartram Hiking Trail is located in South Carolina. The trail is in good shape except for several blow-downs that occurred over the past couple of days during heavy winds. The trail passes through a predominately White Pine and Eastern Hemlock forest. Many of the trees are magnificent specimens and we shudder to think what this area will look like if all of the Eastern Hemlocks die from the Wooly Adelgid infestations that we observed. The trail difficulty is moderately easy. Directions: Take Hwy. 28 between Highlands, NC and Walhalla, SC and drive to the Hwy. 28 Bridge (Russell Bridge) and park in the parking lot on the SC side of the bridge. Another great day for a hike! Sunny and warm with temperatures ranging from the low 60’s to mid 70’s. Hiking distance – 7.4 miles WILDFLOWERS IN BLOOM: Catesby’s Trillium, Vasey’s Trillium, Red Toadshade Trillium, Foamflower, Dwarf Iris, Bluet, Small Bellwort, Dogwood, Sweetshrub, Doghobble, Birdsfoot Viloet, Common Blue Violet, Round Leaf Yellow Violet, Sweet White Violet, Halberd-leafed Yellow Violet, Rue Anemone,Wood Anemone, Star Chickweed, Daisy Fleabane, Yellowroot, Trailing Arbutus, Cinquefoil, . BIRDS IDENTIFIED:Carolina Wren, Crow, Hooded Warbler, Black Throated Blue Warbler, Towhee, Red Eyed Vireo, Carolina Chickadee, Pileated Woodpecker, Black Throated Green Warbler, Yellow Throated Vireo, Titmouse, White Breasted Nuthatch, Black and White Warbler |
 Starting out from the Highway 28 Bridge parking lot. |
 A good wildflower day. Here we have Foam Flower (Tiarella cordifolia) and Dwarf Iris (Iris verna) |
 The heavy winds for the past couple of days brought down lots of trees. |
 A nice peaceful section of the Chattooga River. |
 The lower waterfalls on Lick Log Creek – Lick Log Falls. |
 The upper falls on Lick Log Creek – Pigpen Falls. |
 Lunchtime at Lick Log Creek! |
 The trail intersection just beyond Lick Log Creek. |
 More wildflowers: Left- Yellowroot (Xanthorhiza simplicissima), Right – Wood Anemone (Anemone quinquefolia) |
 Typical tree specimens along the trail. Mostly White Pine and Eastern Hemlock. |
 New marker at Nicholson’s Ford. |
 The OFHC gang for today’s hike. (l-r front) David Whitaker, Bruce O’Connor, Tony Presley. (l-r back) Geri Whitaker, Jack Jacobi, Dick Metzgar, Donna Presley, Jeanne O’Connor, John Bellamy, Doug Russell, Joe Raguckas, Linda Johnson, Billups Johnson, Wayne Miller, and Chuck Crisp. |