November 20, 2007
| Today’s hike was on the James Edmonds Trail in Black Rock Mountain State Park near Clayton, GA.
HIKERS – John Bellamy, June Bellamy, Phil Brownrigg, Chuck Crisp, Bill Hunt, Jack Jacobi, Dick Metzgar, Donna Presley, Tony Presley, John Shauger, Pom Sinnock, Bob Thompson, David Whitaker, Geri Whitaker, Carole Wintle. TRAIL INFO. – The James Edmonds Trail is a 7.2 mile loop trail that starts at the trail parking lot at Black Rock Mountain State Park. The trail offers nice mountain views along the way with a great rock face at Lookoff Mountain for mountain viewing overlooking the Wolffork Valley in Rabun Gap. Directions: Located on Black Rock Mountain Parkway, 3 miles north of Clayton off U.S. Hwy. 441. Look for brown directional signs in Mountain City just north of Clayton, GA. As you near the top of the mountain, look for the trail parking lot on the right. Another great day for a hike! Sunny after early morning fog.Temperatures ranged from the upper 40’s to mid 60’s. Hiking distance – 7.2 miles Difficulty – moderatey difficult due to elevation change. WILDFLOWERS IN BLOOM: Blue Violet, Witch Hazel, Gentian, two varieties of Blue Asters, Lobelia, Goldenrod. BIRDS IDENTIFIED: Crow, Carolina Wren, Junco, Turkey Vulture, Brown Headed Nuthatch |
 Starting out, the woods were moist and foggy. |
 It is amazing to see the tree roots making their way over the rocks to find soil! |
 This trail is very well marked. |
 The view as we near Lookoff Mountain overlook. . |
 We arrive at Lookoff Mountain and find a morning cloud still in the valley below. |
 Another view |
 A great photo opp! |
 Lunchtime at Lookoff Mountain! |
 By the time we had finished eating, the cloud had dissipated. |
 Here, the west fork of the trail crosses this gravel road near the lake. |
 Nice water falls on the west fork. |
 The OFHC gang for today’s hike. (l-r front) David Whitaker, Geri Whitaker, Bill Hunt, John Shauger and “Beau”, Donna Presley, Carole Wintle, Chuck Crisp. (l-r standing) Tony Presley, Phil Brownrigg, Pom Sinnock, Bob Thompson, Cliff Dewitt, Dick Metzgar, John Bellamy, June Bellamy, Jack Jacobi. |