10/6/09 Appalachian Trail – Plumorchard Gap

HIKERS – John Bellamy, June Bellamy, Jim Driggers, Greta Driggers, Pam Euliss, Dave Hinson, Bill Hunt, Jack Jacobi, Dick Metzgar, Don Preece, Donna Presley, Tony Presley, Vic Robson, Lynne Saporito, David Whitaker and Geri Whitaker.

TRAIL INFO. -Parking at Dicks Creek Gap, the trail starts up one of several serious climbs for the day. It is a beautiful hike through an awesome hardwood forest with rocky terrain typical of the Appalachian Trail in Georgia. This portion of the trail takes you on a series of four climbs as you work your way past Bull Gap and Cowart Gap along with a couple of unnamed gaps. At Plumorchard Gap, we took the side trail down to the shelter. This shelter has three levels to accommodate more hikers. Our trail difficulty rating – strenuous due to lots of elevation change with not much level ground to be found.

Total hiking distance – 9.5 miles R.T. Difficulty – Strenuous due to several long climbs coming and going.

Directions: Take Hwy. 76 W from Clayton, GA toward Hiawassee, GA. and drive approximately 15 to 18 miles and look for the Appalachian Trail crossing signs. The parking lot is on the right.

Another great day for a hike! Cloudy and mild, temperatures ranged from the mid 50’s to the mid 60’s F.

FLOWERS IN BLOOM: Blue Wood Aster, White Wood Aster, Golden Aster, Goldenrod (several varieties), Silverrod, Southern Harebell, White Snake Root, Heart Leafed Aster, Smartweed / Ladies Thumb, Mountain Gentian, Candy Root, Mountain Hydrangea, Lobelia

BIRDS IDENTIFIED: Pileated Woodpecker, Crow, Oven Bird, Blue Jay, Titmouse, Carolina Chickadee, Red Eyed Vireo, Flicker, Ruffed Grouse, Carolina Wren, Red Shouldered Hawk, Nuthatch.

from today!