| Today’s hike was on two trails in the Lake Russell Recreation Area near Cornelia, GA. First, the Lake Russell Loop trail is a 4.6 mile hike around the lake. Next, we hked the Sourwood trail. It is a 2.7 mile loop that features Nancy Town Falls. Total hike including the walk between the two trailheads. – 8 miles.
HIKERS – John Bellamy, June Bellamy, Pam Euliss, Dave Hinson, Bill Hunt, Jack Jacobi, Bruce O’Connor, Jeanne O’Connor, Donna Presley, Tony Presley, Joe Raguckas, Dan Ross, Doug Russell, Faye Sisson, Bob Thompson and Carole Wintle. TRAIL INFORMATION – Parking at the trailhead at the parking lot at Nancytown Dam. We hiked the Lake Russell Loop first. This trail starts at the parking lot and loops around the shorline of the lake and returns back to the start. It is a nice easy trail that keeps the lake in view most of the way. Next, we walked the park road around to the start of the Sourwood Trail on the backside of Nancytown Lake near the campground. The Sourwood Trail took us out to Nancytown Falls and looped back around to the start for a 2.7 mile loop. This loop is a bit more hilly than the Lake Russell Loop but it is still moderately easy. Directions: The Lake Russell Recreation Area is off the Dicks Hill Parkway East of Cornelia, at Mt. Airy, GA near the railroad bridge, turn onto the Lake Russell Recreation Area access road. Drive about 2.5 miles to the parking lot at Nancytown Lake. Another great day for a hike! Fair and cool with temperatures ranging from the upper 20’s to the low 40’s F. Hiking distance – 8 miles. FLOWERS IN BLOOM: – Alder BIRDS IDENTIFIED: Wood Duck, Northern Cardinal, Chickadee, Towhee, Dark-eyed Junco, Winter Wren, Goldfinch, Tufted Titmouse, White-throated Sparrow, Canada Goose, Pileated Woodpecker, Red-bellied Woodpecker and Downy Woodpecker. Others: Grey Squirrel |
 Trail sign at the start. |
 Canada Goose on Nancytown Lake. |
 Another great day for a hike! |
 Taking a short break. |
 Beautiful Lake Russell! |
 The best dam photo of the day! Lake Russell Dam |
 Heavy frost on the trail! |
 There are lots of Wood Duck boxes along the lake. |
 Another dam photo! Nancytown Lake Dam |
 After doing the Lake Russell Loop, we start the Sourwood Loop. |
 On the Sourwood Loop Trail headed for Nancytown Falls. |
 Nancytown Falls! |
 Nancytown Creek. |
 The OFHC gang for today’s hike. (l-r front) Pam Euliss, Faye Sisson, Donna Presley, Jeanne O’Connor, Doug Russell, Bruce O’Connor and Carole Wintle. (l-r back) John Bellamy, June Bellamy, Jack Jacobi, Dan Ross, Dave Hinson, Joe Raguckas, Bob Thompson, Bill Hunt and Tony Presley. |