4/28/09 Bartram Trail- Windy Gap – GA

HIKERS – John Bellamy, June Bellamy, Karen Brown, Dave Hinson, John Hires, Bill Hunt, Jack Jacobi, Wanda Miller, Bruce O’Connor, Jeanne O’Connor, Don Preece, Donna Presley, Tony Presley, Joe Raguckas, Vic Robson, Dan Ross, Doug Russell, Pom Sinnock, David Whitaker , Geri Whitaker and Carole Wintle.

TRAIL INFORMATION – This is a very nice portion of the Bartram Trail. You can always count on the trail being well-maintained and well-marked. This hike features a lush hardwood forest with nice mountain views, good wildflower habitat, an area of beautiful rock cliffs, along with nice stands of rhododendron and native azalea.

Today’s hiking distance – 8.2 miles with hills – moderate difficulty.

Directions: Take Warwoman road out of Clayton for .8 miles, and you’ll see a sign for Pinnacle Camp. Take a left turn off Warwoman Road onto Pinnacle Dr. Follow that road all the way, 1.1 miles, passing the camp, to Courthouse Gap Road. Take a right, and go .2 miles until you see a gravel road, with parking areas beneath power lines. Park there, and walk up that road about a tenth of a mile to the access trail on the left.

Another great day for a hike! Partly Cloudy with temperatures ranging from the mid 50’s to the mid 70’s F.

FLOWERS IN BLOOM: Star Chickweed, Carolina Silverbells, Dogwood, Serviceberry, Yellow Star Grass, Robin’s Plantain, Crested Dwarf Iris, Vernal Dwarf Iris, Catesby’s Trillium, Halberd-leafed Violet, Purple Violet, Flame Azalea, Pinxter Flower, Sweetshrub, Perfoliated Bellwort, Small-flowered Bellwort, Meadow Rue, Dogwood, Cinquefoil, Mountain Vetch, Golden Alexander, Tall Buttercup, Huckleberry and Blackberry.

Also saw a toad, Ribbon Snake and a Ring-necked Snake.

BIRDS IDENTIFIED: Oven Bird, Pileated Woodpecker, Crow, Blue Jay, Hooded Warbler, White Eyed Vireo, Red Eyed Vireo, Scarlet Tananger, Tufted Titmouse, Wood Thrush, Black Throated Green Warbler, Black & White Warbler.