| Today’s hike was on the Appalachian Trail from Deep Gap (elevation 4,341 feet) on Forest Service Road 71 to the Summit of Standing Indian Mountain, NC. (elevation 5,499 feet) (total round trip 5.2 miles)
HIKERS – Phil Brownrigg, Greta Driggers, Jim Driggers, Bill Hunt, Jack Jacobi, Bruce O’Connor, Jeanne O’Connor, George Otis, John Otis, Don Preece, Don Preece’s grandson Dillon, Donna Presley, Tony Presley, Carole Raguckas, Joe Raguckas, Vic Robson, Lynne Saporito, David Whitaker, Geri Whitaker, Carole Wintle and Jack Wintle. TRAIL INFORMATION – A very nice hike on the Appalachian Trail. Starting at Deep Gap, on Forest Road 71 west of Franklin, NC, we hiked up the Appalachian Trail to the summit of Standing Indian. Actually the summit is found on a short side trail off of the Appalachian. Overall, today’s trail is a steady uphill climb to the summit but the grade is gradual. Today’s hiking distance – 5.2 miles with and elevation change of 1,158 ft. Difficulty is only moderate. Directions: From Franklin, NC, go West on US64 13.6 miles (from the overpass where US23 turns South toward Atlanta) to FS71 Deep Gap Rd. It is the first road to the left past the County Line sign (Clay County). Drive approximately 5 miles on this gravel road (FS 71) to the end of the road – Deep Gap parking lot. Another great day for a hike! Mostly cloudy and cool with a brief shower. Temperatures ranged from 67 to 71 degrees F. FLOWERS IN BLOOM: Sundrops, Bush Honeysuckle, Sourwood, Angelica, Elderberry, Black-eyed Susan, Indian Pipes, Phlox, Fire Pink, Mountain Hydrangea, Rosebay Rhododendron, Tall Bluet, Daisy Fleabane, Flame Azalea, Black Cohosh, Pale Jewelweed, Spiderwort, Skullcap, Milkweed, Tassel Rue, Tall Meadow Rue, Woodland Joe Pye Weed, Purple-flowering Raspberry. BIRDS IDENTIFIED: Pine Warbler, Veery, Towhee, Grackle, Dark-eyed Junco. |
 Parking at Deep Gap below Standing Indian Mountain. |
 Jessie and Ty (trail dogs for the day) are ready to hike! |
 Rosebay Rhododendron just beginning to open. |
 Flame Azalea. |
 The normally great mountain views were totally obscured by the clouds and fog. |
 Some of today’s wildflowers (top left then clockwise) Mountain Hydrangea, Sundrops, Rosebay Rhododendron, Purple-flowering Raspberry. |
 A brief shower brought out the ponchos for a while. |
 Fungus of the week! |
 More Fungi! |
 The OFHC gang for today’s hike. (l-r kneeling) Bruce O’Connor, David Whitaker, John Otis, Carole Wintle, trail dogs Jessie and Ty Wintle, Jack Wintle and Tony Presley. (l-r standing) Jeanne O’Connor, Geri Whitaker, Lynne Saporito, George Otis, Donna Presley, Greta Driggers, Jim Driggers, Bill Hunt, Don Preece’s Grandson – Dillon, Vic Robson, Don Preece, Carole Raguckas, Joe Raguckas, Phil Brownrigg and Jack Jacobi. |