September 29, 2009
| This week’s hike was in North Carolina, from the Osage Mountain overlook to the Summit of Scaly Mountain and beyond. This hike is on the Bartram Trail near the NC/GA state line.
HIKERS – John Bellamy, June Bellamy, Karen Brown, Phil Brownrigg, Jim Driggers, Greta Driggers, Dan Euliss, Pam Euliss, Jack Jacobi, Linda Johnson, Dick Metzgar, Bruce O’Connor, Jeanne O’Connor, Don Preece, Donna Presley, Tony Presley, Vic Robson, Dan Ross, David Whitaker, Geri Whitaker and Carole Wintle. TRAIL INFO. – The Bartram Trail from Osage Mountain Overlook to the other side of Scaly Mountain is a very nice hike with awesome views of the NC/GA mountains. There was more water along the trail today due to recent rains. The rock-faced mountain offers many nice photo ops along the way along with a good wildflower environment. Total hiking distance – 7 miles R.T. Difficulty – moderate with lots of elevation gain going out. Directions: Osage Overlook is 5.7 miles west of Highlands on NC Hwy. 106. Or from Dillard, GA turn right on GA 246 which becomes NC 106 and drive approx. 9 miles to Osage Overlook on the right. Another great day for a hike! Sunny and cool, temperatures ranged from the mid 40’s to the upper 50’s F. FLOWERS IN BLOOM: Tall Goldenrod, Wreath Goldenrod, New England Aster, Blue Aster, Heart-leafed Aster, Stiff Aster, Golden Aster, White Woods Aster, Bushy Aster, Mountain Gentian, Grass of Parnassus, Michaux’s Saxifrage, Hawkweed, Peruvian Daisy and Lady’s Thumb. BIRDS IDENTIFIED: Blue Jay and Junco.
from today! |
 Trail-head for today’s hike. |
 Getting ready to hike on a cool morning! 45 degrees F. |
 Rustic bridge creek crossing early into the hike. |
 Taking a break at the summit of Scaly Mountain. |
 Awesome views from the summit. |
 Lots of nice rock faces to explore. |
 Some of today’s wildflowers (top left then clockwise) Mountain Gentian, Grass of Parnassus, Peruvian Daisy, Hawkweed. |
 Fungus of the week!” |
 Lunchtime on Scaly. |
 More lunch…. |
 A view from our lunch spot! |
 Zoomed view of Rabun Bald across the way in GA. |
 One more nice mountain view! |
 The OFHC gang for today’s hike (l-r front) Tony Presley, Bruce O’Connor, Donna Presley, Geri Whitaker, David Whitaker and Linda Johnson. (l-r back) Greta Driggers, Jim Driggers, Jack Jacobi, Phil Brownrigg, Dick Metzgar, Carole Wintle, Dan Ross, Jeanne O’Connor, Karen Brown, Don Preece, Vic Robson, John Bellamy, June Bellamy, Dan Euliss and Pam Euliss. |