| Today’s hike was on the Chattooga River Trail starting at the Highway 28 Bridge up to Lick Log Creek and Pig Pen Falls.8.8 miles total.
HIKERS – John Bellamy, June Bellamy, Karen Brown, Phil Brownrigg, Dan Euliss, Pam Euliss, Dave Hinson, John Hires, Bill Hunt, Jack Jacobi, Linda Johnson, Bruce O’Connor, Jeanne O’Connor, Don Preece, Donna Presley, Tony Presley, Joe Raguckas, Vic Robson, Dan Ross, Doug Russell, Lynne Saporito, Faye Sisson, Bob Thompson, David Whitaker, Geri Whitaker, Carole Wintle and Jack Wintle. TRAIL INFORMATION – A beautiful portion of the Chattooga River Trail featuring nice views of the Chattooga River, a beautiful forest with mixed hardwoods, giant White Pines, Eastern Hemlocks (threatened by Wooly Adelgids), creeks, wildflowers and nice waterfalls. Elevation changes are mostly moderate to gentle with some nice flat walking along the river. Directions: Located on Hwy. 28 between Highlands, NC and Walhalla, SC. Drive to the Hwy. 28 Bridge (Russell Bridge) and park in the parking lot on the SC side of the bridge. The trail leads northward from the parking lot. Another great day for a hike! Fair to partly cloudy with temperatures ranging from the upper 30’s to upper 60’s degrees F. Hiking distance – 8.8 miles. FLOWERS IN BLOOM: Wild Ginger, Bloodroot, Purple Trillium, Halberd-leafed Violet, Yellow Round-leafed Violet, Purple Violet, Trailing Arbutus, Hepatica, Rue Anemone, Pussytoes, Yellowroot and Spicebush. BIRDS IDENTIFIED: Tufted Titmouse, Crow, Red Eyed Vireo, Red Bellied Woodpecker, Pileated Woodpecker, Hairy Woodpecker, Yellow Throated Vireo, Carolina Wren, Song Sparrow, Phoebe, Blue Headed Vireo, Carolina Chickadee. |
 Trailhead parking lot at Highway 28. |
 Headed for Lick Log Creek! |
 Someone noticed that this gnarled tree has the profile of Abe Lincoln. Look on the right side of the tree. Nose, chin, mouth, eyes, hair, etc. (amazing tree of the week!) |
 Another great day for a hike! |
 Nice wildflower day! Rue Anemone (Thalictrum thalictroides) |
 Many nice views along the Chattooga River. |
 Enjoying a nice break on a beautiful day. |
 Trail dogs for the day (Ty and Jessie) enjoy a nice swim in the river! |
 Lick Log Creek Falls. |
 Lunchtime at Pig Pen Falls. |
 Some of today’s wildflowers (top left then clockwise) Purple Toadshade Trillium, Halberd-leaved Violet, Round Leaved Yellow Violet, Bloodroot. |
 The OFHC gang for today’s hike. (l-r kneeling) Tony Presley, David Whitaker, Geri Whitaker, Donna Presley, Jack Wintle, “Jessie & Ty”, Bruce O’Connor and Doug Russell. (l-r standing) Jack Jacobi, Dan Ross, Phil Brownrigg, Dave Hinson, Carole Wintle, Don Preece, Bill Hunt, John Hires, Lynne Saporito, Joe Raguckas, Vic Robson, Jeanne O’Connor, Bob Thompson, Karen Brown, Linda Johnson, John Bellamy, Faye Sisson, June Bellamy, Pam Euliss and Dan Euliss. |