September 25, 2007
| Today’s hike was on the Appalachian Trail in NC from Deep Gap to the Muskrat Creek shelter and back.
HIKERS – Ken Adams, John Bellamy, June Bellamy, Jack Jacobi, Dick Metzgar, Leigh Ann Miller, Wanda Miller, Wayne Miller, Jeanne O’Connor, Doug Russell, Dan Ross, Pom Sinnock, Dave Standard, David Whitaker, Geri Whitaker, Carole Wintle. TRAIL INFO. – This portion of the Appalachian Trail starts at the Deep Gap parking lot at the end of F.S. road 71 in the Standing Indian Mountain area. The hike is only moderately hilly with lots of flat walking. The trail is rocky in places. Directions: From Franklin, NC, go West on US64 13.6 miles (from overpass where US23 turns South toward Atlanta) to FS71 Deep Gap Rd. It is the first road to the left past the County Line sign (Clay County). Drive approximately 5 miles on this gravel road (FS 71) to the Deep Gap parking lot. Another great day for a hike! Sunny and mild with temperatures from the mid 60’s to mid 70’s F. Hiking distance – 8 miles WILDFLOWERS IN BLOOM: Phlox, Joe Pye Weed, Indian Plantain, Bushy Aster, Turtleheads, Lobelia, Beech Drops, Ladies Thumb, Stinging Nettle, Heal-all, Horse Balm, Alum Root, White Wood Aster, White Snake-root, Agrimony, Goldenrod, Heart-leaf Aster, Mountain Gentian, Ragged Soldiers, Whorled White Aster. BIRDS IDENTIFIED: Ruffed Grouse, Pileated Woodpecker, Blue Jay, Towhee, Black & White Warbler, Nuthatch, Carolina Chickadee. |
 Getting ready at Deep Gap. |
 Trail marker near the start. |
 Another great day for a hike! |
 A lost hunting dog joined us along the way. . |
 The intersection of the Chunky Gal Trail. One legend tells of a chubby Cherokee maiden who left her family to be with her lover of another tribe. Other researchers say a more likely origin is that Chunky Gal is the anglicized form of an unknown Cherokee word. |
 No comment…… |
 Here, the trail passes through a very dense Rhododendron tunnel. |
 We met Jerry from Ohio on the trail at Muskrat Creek. He was hiking a section of the A.T. |
 Lunchtime at the Muskrat Creek Shelter. |
 Trail marker on the way back. White Snakeroot blooming in background. |
 This is bear country! |
 The OFHC gang from today’s hike (l-r front) Carole Wintle, Pom Sinnock, Wanda Miller, Geri Whitaker, David Whitaker. (l-r standing) Ken Adams, Jack Jacobi, Jeanne O’Connor, Doug Russell, Dave Standard, Leigh Ann Miller, Wayne Miller, John Bellamy, June Bellamy, Dan Ross, Dick Metzgar. |