January 15, 2008
| Today’s hike involved two separate hikes. First we hiked to the summit of Currahee Mountain from the Currahee Voting Precinct Building on Highway 184. Then we took a short drive down to the Frady Branch Trail System and did the Leatherwood Creek Loop.
HIKERS – John Bellamy, June Bellamy, Karen Brown, Chuck Crisp, Dan Ross, Pam Euliss, Ashlie Gammill, Bill Hunt, Jack Jacobi, Linda Johnson, Leigh Ann Miller, Wanda Miller, Wayne Miller, Bob Presley, Tony Presley, Joe Raguckas, Vic Robson, Doug Russell, Pom Sinnock , Bob Thompson, Carole Wintle. TRAIL INFO. – The Currahee Trail is a nice but steep climb up the mountain with great views at the summit. The trail starts from the Currahee Voting building on Highway 184. (round trip a little under 2 miles). The Leatherwood Creek Loop Trail is part of the Frady Branch Trail System. This trail is designated for use by horses, mountain bikes, and hikers. The trail is mostly easy walking with occasional hills. This loop is almost 4.5 miles in length. We also did a couple of short side trails to Ferabrew Cemetary and Roman’s Den. Directions: Heading west from Toccoa on U.S. 123 , cross highway 17 at the Jeanette Jameson intersection and continue one quarter mile and turn left onto Highway 184 toward Homer. Drive about a mile and the Currahee Building parking lot is just past the Woodmen of the World facility on the right. A simple white building with two doors. The trail begins just behind the building. The Frady Branch Trails are about a mile beyond the Currahee Building on Hwy. 184. There is a Forest Service trail sign on the right. Another great day for a hike! Mostly fair and cold. Temperatures ranged from the high 20s to mid 40s F. Hiking distance – approx. 6.5 miles Difficulty – Currahee – Difficult but short. Leatherwood Creek – moderately easy with rolling hills. WILDFLOWERS IN BLOOM: none BIRDS IDENTIFIED: Dark-eyed Junco, Eastern Bluebird and Turkey Vulture. Other fauna : 3 Virginia White-tailed Deer. |
 We started our day at the Currahee Voting building at the base of Currahee Mountain. |
 Here, we are nearing the top of Currahee. We pass by lots of huge boulders. |
 Almost to the summit, we look to the south for this view. |
 From the rock cliffs at the summit, we enjoy awesome views. . |
 One of the communications towers at the summit.. |
 This is a view to the north. You can see the rock quarry and the mountains beyond. |
 Headed back down the mountain. |
 Next, we move down the road to the Leatherwood Creek loop trail. |
 Another great day for a hike! |
 This is one of the creek crossings. |
 Another way to cross the creek. Not recommended by the American Council on Safe Practices, but Dan made it across! No one else tried it… |
 We took the short side trail out to historic Roman’s Den. This is a cave where a man named Roman hid out during the Civil War to avoid fighting. |
 Inside the cave, we find some bats on the ceiling! |
 Nearing the end of the hike, we stop by the historic Ferabrew Cemetary. |
 The OFHC gang for today’s hike (l-r front) Bill Hunt, Jet “the trail dog”, Chuck Crisp, Wanda Miller, Ashlie Gammill, and Karen Brown. (l-r standing) Carole Wintle, Bob Thompson, June Bellamy, Pam Euliss, Wayne Miller, Leigh Ann Miller, John Bellamy, Bob Presley, Dan Ross, Linda Johnson, Pom Sinnock, Vic Robson, Joe Raguckas, Jack Jacobi, Doug Russell, and Tony Presley. |