| Today’s hike was on the Bartram Trail in Rabun County, GA starting at Bob Gap and hiking to Big Rock overlooking Camp Rainey Mountain. Surprising light snow showers were present for much of the day!
HIKERS – Karen Brown, Pam Euliss, Dave Hinson, Bill Hunt, Dick Metzgar, Bruce O’Connor, Jeanne O’Connor, Vic Robson, Dan Ross, Doug Russell , Dave Standard and Andrea Surles. TRAIL INFORMATION – A nice portion of the Bartram Trail with beautiful views of mountains as it winds through a beautiful mixed hardwood forest. Trail conditions were excellent as we saw evidence of recent trail maintenance. The side trail down to Big Rock gives nice views as you look down to the lake at Camp Rainey Mountain (Boy Scouts of America – Northeast Georgia Council). Today’s hiking distance – approx. 8.6 miles Directions: Take Warwoman Road 5.9 miles from Clayton and turn right on Sandy Ford Road. Go 1.2 miles and turn right on Pool Creek Road. Drive 0.9 miles to Bob Gap. Another great day for a hike! Cloudy breezy and cold with off and on snow, with temperatures ranging from 32-39 degrees F. FLOWERS IN BLOOM: Serviceberry, Trailing arbutus, Purple Violet, Halberd-leafed Violet, Round-leafed Violet, Huckleberry, Rue Anemone, Wild Strawberry and Blueberry. BIRDS IDENTIFIED: wood thrush, hermit thrush, white breasted nuthatch, red-eyed vireo, pileated woodpecker, American crow, and turkey vulture. |
 Parking at Bob Gap. |
 Beautiful views! |
 Headed for Rainey Mountain and Big Rock! |
 Another great day for a hike! April snow! |
 Snow-covered log. |
 Nothing like hiking in the Springtime! |
 Sign marking the side trail to Big Rock. |
 Nice views from Big Rock. |
 Looking down to the lake at Camp Rainey Mountain. |
 Nature’s marvel of the day! A Rhododendron growing through a hole in a large Poplar tree. |
 This marker is for the “Goat Trail”. |
 More evidence of the snow. |
 The OFHC gang for today’s hike. (l-r) Bill Hunt, Dave Hinson, Karen Brown, Jeanne O’Connor, Bruce O’Connor (kneeling), Dick Metzgar, Andrea Surles, Dan Ross, Pam Euliss, Dave Standard, Vic Robson and Doug Russell. |