October 2, 2007
| Today’s hike was on the Appalachian Trail in GA from Byron Reese Park (below Neels Gap) to Wolf Laurel Top and back. 8 miles total.
HIKERS – John Bellamy, June Bellamy, Phil Brownrigg, Elizabeth Gandy, Jack Jacobi, Steve Jordan, Jerry Metzger, Joe Metzger, Leigh Ann Miller, Wanda Miller, Wayne Miller, Bob Presley, Donna Presley, Tony Presley, Joe Raguckas, Carole Raguckas, 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 Byron Herbert Reese parking lot below Neels Gap and goes to Wolf Laurel Top. The hike is moderately difficult with lots of elevation change. Directions: Take US 19 and 129, north from Cleveland, GA and drive approximately 18 miles to the Byron Herbert Reese Park just a half mile past Neels Gap and the Walasi-Yi Center. Another great day for a hike! Sunny and mild with temperatures from the low 60’s to low 70’s F. Hiking distance – 8 miles WILDFLOWERS IN BLOOM: Peruvian Daisy, Indian Plaintain, White Woods Aster, White Snakeroot, Mountain Gentian, Pale Jewelweed, Flowering Spurge, Starry Campion, Southern Harebells, Heart-leafed Blue Aster, Heart-leafed White Aster, Stiff Aster, Bushy Aster, New York Aster, Goldenrod, Silverrod, Horse Balm, Phlox, Lobelia, St. John’s Wort, Yellow Coneflower and Ladie’s Thumb. BIRDS IDENTIFIED: Carolina Wren, Blue Jay, Towhee, Pileated Woodpecker, Crow, Carolina Chickadee, Nuthatch, Crested Flycatcher, Wood Thrush. |
 The A.T. passes through the breezeway at Neels Gap. |
 Another great day for a hike! |
 Abundant crop of Fox Grapes! |
 Nice views along the trail. . |
 Awesome trailside view! |
 Hornets nest. |
 Wolf Laurel Top – A great lunch spot! |
 Another view from Wolf Laurel Top. |
 After climbing Levelland Mountain, this is a nice place for a break. |
 Taking a break at Bull Gap. |
 Blood Mountain marker back at Neels Gap. |
 The OFHC gang from today’s hike (l-r front) David Whitaker, Tony Presley. (l-r standing) Jack Jacobi, Dave Standard, Doug Russell, Geri Whitaker, Bob Presley, Joe Metzger, Phil Brownrigg, Pom Sinnock, Carole Wintle, Steve Jordan, Donna Presley, Wayne Miller, Wanda Miller, Leigh Ann Miller, June Bellamy, John Bellamy, Elizabeth Gandy, Jerry Metzger, Dan Ross, Carole Raguckas, Joe Raguckas. |