| Today’s hike was on the Broad River Trail in Stephens County near Toccoa, GA. This is a beautiful trail that starts alongside Dicks Creek which flows into the Broad River and continues 3.8 miles to Farmers Bottom . Today, we hiked a little beyond the end of the trail and back for a total of 7.8 miles.
HIKERS – John Bellamy, Karen Brown, Pam Euliss, Jack Jacobi, Linda Johnson, Bruce O’Connor, Jeanne O’Connor, Donna Presley, Tony Presley, Joe Raguckas, Vic Robson, Dan Ross, Doug Russell, Lynne Saporito, Pom Sinnock, Bob Thompson, David Whitaker, Geri Whitaker and Carole Wintle. TRAIL INFO. – Parking at the trailhead on Forest Service Road 87, we hiked from Dicks Creek to Farmers Bottom. The trail is in excellent shape as it follows closely along Dicks Creek as it merges into the Broad River and continues to Farmers Bottom where the trail ends. The trail is through a mixed forest of Chestnut Oak, Beech, Red Oak, White Oak, Poplar, Pine, American Holly, Rhododendron, and Mountain Laurel among others. The terrain is mostly gently rolling with some flat stretches. We rate it moderately easy. There are many nice river views all along the trail. Directions: From Toccoa take Highway 123 west and continue straight through the Jeanette Jameison intersection and continue on about a mile and a half and turn left onto Ayersville Rd. (Patterson Pump Inc.). Continue about a half mile or so and turn left onto F.S. Road 87 (dirt) continue past the game checking station for about a mile or so and look for a trail sign on the right. Park on the side of the road. (If you are coming from Cornelia/Clarkesville on the 4-lane Highway 17, turn to the right at the traffic light at Jeanette Jameison Intersection and continue as above.) Another great day for a hike! Sunny and cool! Temperatures ranged from 29-50 degrees F. Hiking distance – 7.8 miles. FLOWERS IN BLOOM: – Purple Violet BIRDS IDENTIFIED: Carolina Chickadee, Cedar Waxwing, Robin, Nuthatch, Carolina Wren, Blue Jay, Starling, Crow, Pileated Woodpecker and Downy Woodpecker. OTHER FAUNA: 2 White-tailed Deer. |
 The trailhead on FS Rd. 87. |
 Trail sign near the start. |
 The amazing circular Hemlock Tree. |
 Beautiful rapids on Dicks Creek! |
 One of the foot-bridges on the Broad River Trail. |
 Icicles tell us that it is below freezing! |
 “Nugget” is the trail dog of the day. . |
 Crossing a broken foot-bridge. |
 Careful rock hopping is required in one spot where the trail is on the river’s edge. |
 Everyone managed to keep their feet dry except “Nugget”. |
 Fungus of the week! |
 Looking up the Broad River from the Farmers Bottom bridge. |
 A Wildflower on Jan. 13th! Purple Violet. |
 Lunchtime on the trail. |
 The OFHC gang for today’s hike. (front l-r) Doug Russell, Dan Ross, Pam Euliss, Bruce O’Connor, Linda Johnson, Donna Presley, Tony Presley, Nugget and David Whitaker. (standing l-r) Jack Jacobi, Karen Brown, Carole Wintle, John Bellamy, Jeanne O’Connor, Lynne Saporito, Pom Sinnock, Joe Raguckas, Geri Whitaker, Bob Thompson and Vic Robson. |