| This week, we hiked on some of the hiking trails in the Standing Indian Campground area. The Park Creek Trail, the Park Ridge Trail and the Lower Ridge Trail. Hiking distance approximately 8 miles total.
HIKERS – Chuck Crisp, Jackie Crisp, Pam Euliss, Bill Hunt, Jack Jacobi, Linda Johnson, Leigh Ann Miller, Wayne Miller, Bruce O’Connor, Jeanne O’Connor, Rick Porter, Donna Presley, Tony Presley, Vic Robson, Dan Ross, Doug Russell, Lynne Saporito, Faye Sisson, David Whitaker, Geri Whitaker, Carole Wintle. TRAIL INFO. – A very nice place to hike. Beautiful hardwood forest in the NC mountains with streams, cool temperatures…….. even in July! Several nice trail options allowing you to hike any distance you like. Directions: Take US 64 west from Franklin approximately 12 miles passing thru Winding Stair Gap. Near the bottom of the mountain from the gap, you will turn left on West Old Murphy Road (SR 1448). There is a directional sign for the campground there. Go 1.9 miles and turn right on Forest Development Road 67 at the Standing Indian Campgound sign. This is a paved road. Go 1.7 miles and turn right into Standing Indian Campgound. Another great day for a hike! Mostly fair and cool! Temperatures ranged from 55 to 69 F. WILDFLOWERS IN BLOOM: Rosebay Rhododendrun, Whorled Loosestrife, Cow Wheat, White Yarrow, Heal-all, Pipsissawa, Sundrop, Ox-eye Daisy, Daisy Fleabane, St. John’s Wort, Spiderwort, Flame Azalea, Sweet Azalea, Yellow Wood Sorrel, Tall Bluets, Ratlesnake Weed, Cinquefoil, Elderberry, Sweet Shrub, Bee Balm, Phlox, Canada Violet, Ramp and Hawkweed. BIRDS IDENTIFIED: Nuthatch, Pine Warbler, Veery, Red Eyed Vireo, Red Start, Oven Bird, Yellow Throated Vireo, Pileated Woodpecker, Dark Eyed Junco, Crow, Orchard Oriole, Chipping Sparrow |
 Getting ready at Standing Indian Campground. |
 Information boards across from the parking lot. |
 These are the headwaters of the Nantahala River. |
 There are several trail options. |
 Rosebay Rhododendron bud just beginning to open. |
 Rosebay Rhododendron (Rhododendron maximum) . |
 Another great day for a hike in the NC mountains! |
 Trail junction signs. |
 Beautiful fungi! |
 The Park Creek trail follows the Nantahala headwaters for a nice distance. |
 Lunchtime at the picnic shelter. |
 The OFHC gang for today’s hike. (l-r front) Chuck Crisp, Donna Presley, David Whitaker, Geri Whitaker, Lynne Saporito and Bruce O’Connor. (l-r standing) Doug Russell, Jackie Crisp, Jack Jacobi, Linda Saporito, Jeanne O’Connor, Wayne Miller, Carole Wintle, Faye Sisson, Dan Ross, Pam Euliss, Leigh Ann Miller, Bill Hunt, Vic Robson, Rick Porter and Tony Presley. |