| This week, our group split into two hikes with a common lunch spot. One group did the Pickens Nose Trail and then took an access trail from the end of Albert Mountain road up to the Appalachian Trail and Albert Mountain. Our longer group started out on the Long Branch Trail and hiked up to the A.T. at Glassmine Gap and on up to Albert Mountain. Mileage was about 4 miles for group 1 and 10.4 miles for group 2.
HIKERS – Phil Achey, Chuck Crisp, Greta Driggers, Jack Jacobi, Deena Johns, Dick Metzgar, Wayne Miller, Peter Muir, Donna Presley, Tony Presley, Vic Robson, Doug Russell, Hannah Shew, Pom Sinnock, Bob Thompson, David Whitaker, Geri Whitaker, Carole Wintle. TRAIL INFO. – Great trails with awesome views at Albert Mountain and Pickens Nose. Some hills but not extreme. Directions: Take highway 441 north from Clayton, GA to the community of Otto, NC. Turn left onto Coweeta Lab Road . Drive several miles up this road and you will see the Coweeta Hydrologic Lab on your right. Continue on past the lab and the road becomes a gravel Forest Service road 83. Continue up this road for several miles and you will come to a sign for Pickens Nose(sign was missing but posts were there). There is a parking area here. For Albert Mountain, continue on past this area and there is a sign pointing to the right to Albert Mountain. Continue to the end of the road where there is a parking area. Forthe Long Branch Trail – From Franklin, NC, follow US64 West 11.4 miles to left turn at sign saying “Appalachian Trail” and “Standing Indian Campground”. Follow this road (Old Rt. 64) 1.9 miles to sign reading “Standing Indian Campground” and turn right on paved road (FS67). Follow road to the Backcountry Information Center. Another great day for a hike! Partly cloudy and mild! Temperatures ranged from the upper 60’s to mid 70’s F. WILDFLOWERS IN BLOOM: Phlox, Blackeyed Susan, Wild Hydrangea, Daisy Fleabane, Spiderwort, Purple Flowering Raspberry, New Jersey Tea, Rosebay Rododendron, Milkweed, Tall Bluet, Galax, Bush Honeysuckle, Squawroot, Firepink, Hawkweed, Mountain Laurel, Dodder, Crown Vetch, Indian Physic, Wood Sorrell, Oxeye Daisy, Goats Beard, Queen Anns Lace, Flame Azalea, Smooth Nettle, Sundrop, St Johns Wort, Whoreled Loosestrife, Mountain Mint, and Butterfly Weed. BIRDS IDENTIFIED: Veery, Yellow Throated Vireo, Towhee, Junco, Titmouse, Pine Warbler, Blue Jay, Carolina Chickadee |
 Heading out on the Long Branch Trail. |
 The Long Branch Trail connects to the Appalachian Trail at Glassmine Gap. |
 Taking a short break. |
 View one on the Pickens Nose Trail. |
 The famous rock outcrop at Pickens Nose. |
 Bumblebee enjoying the Wild Hydrangea. . |
 The old fire tower at Albert Mountain. (elevation 5,280 ft) |
 Dick Metzgar and granddaughter Hannah on the tower! |
 Awesome views in every direction at Albert Mountain. |
 Climb the steps of the tower for the best views. |
 Looking down from the tower. |
 Lunchtime at Albert Mountain. |
 One more view! |
 The OFHC gang for today’s hike. (l-r front) Dick Metzgar, Donna Presley, Hannah Shew, Geri Whitaker, David Whitaker, Chuck Crisp, Vic Robson and Tony Presley. (back l-r)Jack Jacobi, Doug Russell, Greta Driggers, Deena Johns, Carole Wintle, Pom Sinnock, Phil Achey, Bob Thompson, Wayne Miller and Peter Muir. |