August 14, 2007
| Today’s hike was on four short trails in the Albert Mountain area of NC. First, we hiked the Pickens Nose Trail for spectacular views from several viewpoints along the trail. The spectacular rock faces along the trail give great views of the NC mountains. Next, we hiked the access trail up to the Appalchain Trail and on up to the summit of Albert Mountain. This mile high peak has an old fire tower which allows great 360 degree views of the surrounding mountains. Next, we hiked the Mooney Falls Trail and the Laurel Falls Trail and enjoyed two refreshing mountain waterfalls.
HIKERS – John Bellamy, June Bellamy, Chuck Crisp, Bill Hunt, Jack Jacobi, Allan Lance, Wanda Miller, Wayne Miller, Bob Presley, Tony Presley, Dan Ross, Doug Russell, Pom Sinnock, Rob Street, David Whitaker, Geri Whitaker, Carole Wintle. TRAIL INFO. – All of the trail sections today were in good condition and the terrain is moderate to easy. total mileage for the 4 sections is estimated to be 5.5 miles. Directions: Take highway 441 north from Clayton, GA to the community of Otto, NC. Turn left onto Coweeta Lab Road . Drive several miles up this road and you will see the Coweeta Hydrologic Lab on your right. Continue on past the lab and the road becomes a gravel Forest Service road 83. Continue up this road for several miles and you will come to a sign for Pickens Nose. There is a parking area here. For Albert Mountain, continue on past this area and there is a sign pointing to the right to Albert Mountain. Continue to the end of the road where there is a parking area.For Mooney and Laurel Falls, come back down the road from Albert Mountain and turn right onto F.S. road 83 and continue several miles to the Mooney Falls sign on the left. For Laurel Fall, continue down 83 until you see the sign for Laurel Falls Trail. Another great day for a hike! Fair and mild with temperatures ranging from 68-72, Hiking distance – approx. 5.5 miles WILDFLOWERS IN BLOOM: Phlox, Indian Plaintain, Purple Raspberry, Hog Peanut, Southern Harebell, Tall Bluet, Summersweet, Bergamot, White Snakeroot, White Woods Aster, Spotted Jewelweed, Pale Jewelweed, Joe Pye Weed, Featherbells, Tall Goldenrod, Mountain Mint, Heal-All, Horse Balm, Crown Vetch, Bush Honeysuckle, Woodland Sunflower, Black-eyed- Susan, Daisy Fleabane and Rosebay Rhododendrun. BIRDS IDENTIFIED: Towhee, Red Eyed Vireo, Peregrine Falcon, Rough-Winged Swallow, Junco, Black Throated Blue Warbler |
 The Pickens Nose Trail cuts through a nice Rhododendron thicket. |
 Angelica just beginning to open. |
 Mountain views along the trail. |
 The famous rock out-crop named for General Pickens (Revolutionary War) who had a rather large hook nose. . |
 Rob standing on the nose! |
 Informational sign at the summit of Albert Mountain. |
 The fire tower at Albert Mountain. |
 A view from the tower! |
 Mooney Falls! |
 Laurel Falls! |
 Another of nature’s marvels. |
 The OFHC gang from today’s hike (l-r kneeling) Allan Lance, Carole Wintle, Wanda Miller, Rob Street, Geri Whitaker, David Whitaker. (l-r standing) Tony Presley, Dan Ross, Pom Sinnock, Doug Russell, Bob Presley, Chuck Crisp, June Bellamy, John Bellamy, Bill Hunt, Wayne Miller, Jack Jacobi. |