October 16, 2007
| Today’s hike was on the Bartram Trail in GA from Hale Ridge Road to the summit of Georgia’s second highest peak, 4,696 ft. Rabun Bald. 8.4 miles out and back total.
HIKERS – John Bellamy, June Bellamy, Bill Hunt, Jack Jacobi, Billups Johnson, Linda Johnson, Linda D. Johnson, Fred Marland, Jerry Metzger, Joe Metzger, Wanda Miller, Wayne Miller, Bob Presley, Donna Presley, Tony Presley, Joe Raguckas, Vic Robson, Dan Ross, Doug Russell, John Shauger and dog Beau, Pom Sinnock, Bob Thompson, David Whitaker, Geri Whitaker, Carole Wintle. TRAIL INFO. – The Bartram Trail from Hale Ridge Rd. to Rabun Bald is a very nice section. The hills are mostly gently rolling until the final .7 mile stretch up from the gap to the summit of Rabun Bald. Rich woodlands with several small creeks (some dry due to severe drought), rock ledges, wildflowers, along with great views from Rabun Bald on a clear day. Directions: Take Hwy. 441 N from Clayton, GA through Dillard, GA and turn right onto GA 246 / NC 106 toward Highlands, NC. Drive about 7 miles and turn right at the old Scaly Mtn. Ski Slope at Hale Ridge Rd. Go a couple of miles and turn left onto a continuation of Hale Ridge road. Drive a mile or so and you will see the trail crossing sign on your right. Another great day for a hike! Cloudy with occasional light drizzle with temperatures ranging from the upper 50’s to 70 F. Hiking distance – 8.4 miles WILDFLOWERS IN BLOOM: Turtleheads, Indian Plaintain, Mountain Gentian, Tall Aster, Heart-leafed Aster, White Woods Aster, Bushy Aster, Goldenrod and Witch Hazel BIRDS IDENTIFIED: Blue Jay, Crow, Nuthatch, Pileated Woodpecker, Carolina Chickadee, Brown Thrasher, Junco, Red Shouldered Hawk |
 Trail Sign near the start. |
 Another great day for a hike on the Bartram Trail! |
 Autumn color is starting to show up in the mountains! |
 Normally a nice little waterfall but only a trickle due to severe drought! . |
 This footbridge crosses a dry creek bed! We need rain…… |
 Sign at the gap below Rabun Bald. |
 The summit of Rabun Bald was completely fogged in with no views today. |
 Along one of the creeks, we found these wildflowers that thrive only in moist environments. Turtleheads (Chelone glabra) |
 Here, the trail passes through a dark thicket of rhododendron along a huge rock ledge. |
 The OFHC gang from today’s hike (l-r seated) Vic Robson, Linda D. Johnson, John Shauger, “Beau – trail dog”, Joe Metzger, Carole Wintle, Geri Whitaker, Donna Presley, David Whitaker, Wanda Miller, Tony Presley. (back 1-r) Linda Johnson, Billups Johnson, Joe Raguckas, Bob Thompson, Jerry Metzger, Bob Presley, Dan Ross, Fred Marland, Wayne Miller, Bill Hunt, John Bellamy, June Bellamy, Jack Jacobi, Doug Russell., Pom Sinnock. |