6/23/09 Jones Gap – Bartram Trail – NC

HIKERS – John Bellamy, June Bellamy, Karen Brown, Phil Brownrigg, Greta Driggers, Jim Driggers, Dave Hinson, Sharon Horwitz, Jack Jacobi, Don Johnson, Linda Johnson, Dick Metzgar, Bruce O’Connor, Jeanne O’Connor, Bob Magee, Dick Metzgar, Vickie Morrison, Rick Porter, Donna Presley, Tony Presley, Vic Robson, Lynne Saporito, David Whitaker, Geri Whitaker and Carole Wintle.

TRAIL INFORMATION – A very nice hike on the Bartram Trail featuring several awesome mountain vistas. Starting at the Jones Gap parking lot, we took the Bartram Trail to the right and hiked to a point just short of Fish Hawk Mountain. We also did the two side trails to Jones Knob and Whiterock Mountain. Even though we were in the mountains, the hills were not extreme.

Today’s hiking distance – 6.5 miles with rolling hills. We rate it moderately easy overall.

Directions: From the corner of 4th and Main in Highlands, take US64/28 (toward Franklin) for 4.2 miles to Turtle Pond Rd. (SR1620). Turn left and drive 1.1 miles to SR1678. Turn right and drive 1.4 miles to the top of a hill. Turn left on Jones Gap Rd. (FR4522). Take this road 2 miles to the parking area at the end of the road. The trail leaves the parking area on the right.

Another great day for a hike! Mostly sunny and mild. Temperatures ranged from 65 to 75 degrees F.

FLOWERS IN BLOOM: Hog Peanut, Cow Wheat, Buttercups, Beardtongue, Flowering Spurge, Spiderwort, Pale Corydalis, Solomon’s Seal, Sundrops, Bush Honeysuckle, Poke Milkweed, Goatsbeard, Bowman’s Root, Fire Pink, Deptford Pink, Venus Looking glass, Fleabane Daisy, Blue-eyed Grass, Rattlesnake Weed, Hawkweed, Dandelion, Beechdrops, Indian Pipe, Mt. Hydrangea, Mt. Mint, Michaux’s Saxifrage, Galax, Thyme-leaved Bluets, Woodland Bluets, Flame Azalea, White Rhododendron(maximum), Mt.Laurel, Orchard Grass, Dodder.

BIRDS IDENTIFIED: Oven Bird, Hooded Warbler, Scarlet Tananger, Towhee, Red Eyed Vireo, Nuthatch, Pine Warbler, Blue Jay, Pileated Woodpecker, Black Throated Blue Warbler, Titmouse, Brown Thrasher, Rose Breasted Grosbeak, Great Horned Owl, Junco, Turkey Vulture and Crow.

Other fauna: Black Bear