| Today’s hike was on the Beech Creek Trail near Tate City, GA in the edge of North Carolina. We did an out and back hike of about 6 miles.
HIKERS – John Bellamy, June Bellamy, Karen Brown, Chuck Crisp, Greta Driggers, Dan Euliss, Pam Euliss, Dave Hinson, Bill Hunt, Jack Jacobi, Deena Johns, Dick Metzgar, Bruce O’Connor, Jeanne O’Connor, Donna Presley, Tony Presley, Joe Raguckas, Dan Ross, Doug Russell, Lynne Saporito, Pom Sinnock, Bob Thomnpson, David Whitaker, Geri Whitaker, Carole Wintle and Jack Wintle. TRAIL INFO. – The Beech Creek Trail is a beautiful trail in the southern edge of Western North Carolina. It is a much less traveled trail and could use some trail maintenance. The trail starts off with a steep climb for the first quarter mile or so. The trail follows closely along Beech creek and crosses the creek a couple of times requiring careful rock hopping to avoid getting wet feet. You will walk along the ridge of beautiful Beech Creek Gorge as you work your way up the back side of Big Scaly Mountain. The historic feature of the hike is the old abandoned Tate Corundum mine ore crusher/loader area. The mine was built in 1900. Hiking difficulty is rated strenuous due to elevation change. Directions: Travel west on U.S. Highway 76 from Clayton, Georgia for 8 miles. Turn right on Persimmon Valley Road. Continue down Persimmon Valley Road to Tallulah River Road on the left which is marked with a sign. Take this beautiful drive up the Tallulah River all the way to Tate City, GA continuing past the NC state line. Look for the parking area on the left side of the road for the Beech Creek Trail. It is less than a mile from the end of the road. Another great day for a hike! Cloudy, breezy, off and on drizzle. Temperatures ranged from the low to upper 40’s F. Hiking distance – 6 miles. FLOWERS IN BLOOM: – Witch Hazel BIRDS IDENTIFIED: Crow |
 Just north of Tate City in the edge of NC you will find the Beech Creek Trail. |
 Trailhead parking. |
 Nice views along the creek for much of the hike. |
 The first creek crossing. |
 Another great day for a hike! |
 Trying to keep the feet dry! . |
 The boulder-filled Beech Creek. |
 More rock hopping. |
 Rain gear came in handy! |
 Fungus of the week! |
 By the time we arrived at corundum mine loading area, the fog had settled in. |
 Lunchtime! |
 More lunch! |
 Tree growing over a large boulder. |
 The OFHC gang for today’s hike. (front l-r) David Whitaker, Dick Metzgar, Geri Whitaker, June Bellamy, Donna Presley and Tony Presley. (second row l-r) Carole Wintle, Dan Euliss, Pam Euliss, Karen Brown, Lynne Saporito, Jeanne O’Connor, Bruce O’Connor, Doug Russell, Greta Driggers and Deena Johns. (back l-r) Jack Wintle, Pom Sinnock, Dave Hinson, Joe Raguckas, Dan Ross, Bill Hunt, Bob Thompson, Chuck Crisp , Jack Jacobi and John Bellamy. |