| Today’s hike was on the Appalachian Trail From Dicks Creek Gap to Plumorchard Gap and back. This is a mountainous hike. Round trip distance – 9.5 miles
HIKERS – Bill Hunt, Jack Jacobi, Leigh Ann Miller, Bruce O’Connor, Jeanne O’Connor, Donna Presley, Tony Presley, Vic Robson, Dan Ross, Doug Russell and Carole Wintle. TRAIL INFO. – Parking at Dicks Creek Gap, the trail starts uphill giving a hint of what is to come. It is a beautiful hike through an awesome hardwood forest with rocky terrain typical of the Appalachian Trail in Georgia. This portion of the trail takes you on a series of four climbs as you work your way past Bull Gap and Cowart Gap along with a couple of unnamed gaps. At Plumorchard Gap, we took the side trail down to the shelter. This shelter has three levels to accommodate more hikers. Our trail difficulty rating – moderately strenuous due to lots of elevation change with not much level ground to be found. Directions: Take Hwy. 76 W from Clayton, GA toward Hiawassee, GA. and drive approximately 15 to 18 miles and look for the Appalachian Trail crossing signs. The parking lot is on the right. Another great day for a hike! Sunny and cool! Temperatures ranged from 35-62 degrees F. Hiking distance – 9.5 miles. FLOWERS IN BLOOM: – zero BIRDS IDENTIFIED: Robin, Nuthatch and Junco. |
 Parking at Dicks Creek Gap. |
 Typical mountain view along the trail. |
 The beautiful Appalachian Trail! |
 Amazing tree of the day! |
 Fern-covered boulders! |
 Another great day for a hike! |
 Headed for the Plumorchard Gap Shelter. . |
 Our lunch spot for the day! |
 Great accommodations! |
 More lunch. |
 Lots of beautiful rocky slopes and coves all along the trail. |
 Fungus of the week! |
 Another mountain view. |
 The old Bull Gap sign. |
 Back at Dicks Creek Gap. |
 The OFHC gang for today’s hike. (front l-r) Tony Presley, Donna Presley, Leigh Ann Miller, Carole Wintle, Jeanne O’Connor and Bruce O’Connor. (l-r back) Dan Ross, Bill Hunt, Jack Jacobi, Doug Russell and Vic Robson. |