9/2/08 Standing Indian Mountain- Appalachian Trail, NC

HIKERS – John Bellamy, June Bellamy, Phil Brownrigg, Bill Hunt, Jack Jacobi, Dick Metzgar, Wayne Miller, George Otis, Donna Presley, Tony Presley, Dan Ross, Doug Russell, Lynne Saporito, Dave Standard, David Whitaker and Geri Whitaker.

TRAIL INFO. – Another nice cool hike to do during the hot summer months. It offers spectacular mountain views on this beautiful portion of the Appalachian Trail. We had lunch on the summit of Standing Indian Mountain (elevation 5,499 ft). We also met two A.T. hikers from Colorado. Jodee Shufelt and Diane Dwyer were hiking from the southern terminus of the trail at Springer Mountain, GA to the Smokey Mountains in NC-TN.

Hiking distance today – 6.5 miles – Difficulty – moderate due to elevation change.

Directions: From Franklin, NC, go West on US64 13.6 miles (from the overpass where US23 turns South toward Atlanta) to FS71 Deep Gap Rd. It is the first road to the left past the County Line sign (Clay County). Drive approximately 5 miles on this gravel road (FS 71) to the Deep Gap parking lot.

Another great day for a hike! Partly Cloudy, and mild! Temperatures ranged from 62 to 68 degrees F.

WILDFLOWERS IN BLOOM: White Snakeroot, Pale Jewelweed, Goldenrod, Southern Harebells, Heal All, Angelica, False Hellebore, Perfoliated Aster, Bush Aster, White Woods Aster, White-topped Aster, Peruvian Daisy, Alumroot, Woodland Sunflower, Indian Plaintain, Turtlehead and Hog Peanut.

BIRDS IDENTIFIED: Raven, Grouse, Nuthatch, Blue Jay, Junco.