May 22, 2007
| Today’s hike was on the Bartram Trail in GA starting at Bob Gap and hiking out to Dicks Creek Falls . This is an out and back hike of approx. 8.2 miles.
HIKERS – John Bellamy, June Bellamy, Bill Hunt, Jack Jacobi, Linda Johnson, Wayne Miller, Donna Presley, Tony Presley, Joe Raguckas, Doug Russell, Pom Sinnock, Dave Standard, David Whitaker, Geri Whitaker, Carol Wintle. TRAIL INFO. – This portion of the Bartram Trail is in good condition other than several downed pine trees from pine beetle infestations. The trail is over moderate terrain with mostly gradual elevation changes. The mountain laurel this season is especially stunning with an abundance of blossoms all along the trail. It is well worth the hike just to visit the the point where Dicks Creek Falls empties into the Chattooga River. Directions: Take Warwoman Road 5.9 miles from Clayton and turn right on Sandy Ford Road. Go 1.2 miles and turn right on Pool Creek Road. Drive 0.9 miles to Bob Gap. Another great day for a hike! Sunny and mild. Temperatures from the low 60’s to low 80’s. Hiking distance – approx. 8.2 miles WILDFLOWERS IN BLOOM: Yellow Star Grass, Tall Bluet, Galax, Viburnum, Goat’s Rue, Dewberry, Wild Blueberry, Bind Weed, Partridge Berry, Whorled Loosestrife, Carolina Rhododendron, Pea, Blackberry, Flowering Spurge, Indian Cucumber, Cow Wheat, Euonymus, Flame Azalea, Mountain Laurel, Indian Physic, Milk Weed, Rattlesnake Weed, Ragwort, Daisy Fleabane, Racemed Milkwort . BIRDS IDENTIFIED: Oven Bird, Yellow Throated Vireo, Black Throated Green Warbler, Pileated Woodpecker, Pine Warbler, Red Eyed Vireo, Mourning Dove, Titmouse, Towhee, Chipping Sparrow, Hooded Warbler, Black and White Warbler, Wood Thrush, Redstart, Raven, Black Throated Blue Warbler, Carolina Wren |
 The starting point for today’s hike. |
 Another great day for a hike! |
 The Mountain Laurels are loaded with more blossoms this year than we can ever remember. |
 We met a nice Fence Lizard! (Sceloporus undulatus) . |
 Most of the mountain views are now obscured by the foliage but we get occasional glimpses. |
 The Carolina Rhododendrons were blooming! (Rhododendron carolinianum) |
 Trail marker rock at Sandy Ford Road. |
 This is the point where Dicks Creek Falls empties into the Chattooga River. |
 A great place for lunch! |
 A great place to just sit and enjoy! |
 The “Wild and Scenic Chattooga River” |
 The OFHC gang for today’s hike. (l-r) Dave Standard, Wayne Miller, Donna Presley, Jack Jacobi, Pom Sinnock, Linda Johnson, Joe Raguckas, Carole Wintle, David Whitaker, Tony Presley, Bill Hunt, Geri Whitaker, June Bellamy, John Bellamy, Doug Russell. |