9/9/08 Park Creek and Park Ridge Trails, NC

HIKERS – John Bellamy, June Bellamy, Chuck Crisp, Jack Jacobi, Dick Metzgar, Wayne Miller, George Otis, Ric Porter, Donna Presley, Tony Presley, Joe Raguckas, Dan Ross, Doug Russell, Lynne Saporito, Bob Thompson, David Whitaker , Geri Whitaker and Carole Wintle.

TRAIL INFO. – Another nice cool hike to do during the hot summer months. It offers a nice hike through a very rich hardwood forest on trails that are not heavily used. Also you will enjoy quite a bit of walking along beautiful mountain creeks. The Park Creek Trail and Park Ridge Trail are 5 miles each. We started at the beginning of the trails on Deep Gap Rd. and hiked the Park Ridge Trail down to the Standing Indian Campground and had lunch at the picnic shelter and hiked back by the Park Creek Trail.

Hiking distance today – Approximately 10.5 miles – Difficulty – moderate due to elevation change and some Yellow Jacket nests on the Park Ridge Trail.

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 3 miles on this gravel road to the start of the Park Ridge and Creek Trails.

Another great day for a hike! Mostly Cloudy, and mild with a brief shower after lunch! Temperatures ranged from 62 to 68 degrees F.

WILDFLOWERS IN BLOOM: Grass of Parnassus,White Snakeroot, White Woods Aster, Perfoliated Aster, Bushy Aster, Blue Aster, Tall Aster, Heart-leafed Aster, Featherbell, False Hellebore, Goldenrod, Healall, Indian Plantain, Mountain Gentian, Black Cohosh, Pinesap, Beechdrops, False Foxglove, Southern Harebell, Black-eyed Susan, Woodland Sunflower, Goldenglow Sunflower, Spotted Jewelweed, Angelica, Tall Lobelia, Phlox and Joe Pye Weed.

BIRDS IDENTIFIED: Crow, Peewee, Blue Jay, Towhee, Pileated Woodpecker, Junco, Black Throated Blue Warbler, Veery, Grouse.