December 22, 2009
| This week’s hike was at Brasstown Valley Resort between Hiawassee and Young Harris, GA. We hiked the Miller Trek 6.5 mile and a 2.5 mile loop Trail. There are several nice trails here with choices of loop distances. Total hike today – 9 miles.
HIKERS – Phil Brownrigg, Dan Euliss, Pam Euliss, Bill Hunt, Bob Magee, Wanda Miller, Wayne Miller, Donna Presley, Tony Presley and Vic Robson. TRAIL INFO. The trails at Brasstown Valley are very well-maintained and marked. The Miller Trek is named after Zell Miller but we give credit to Wayne Miller! The 6.5 mile Miller Trek is quite hilly and takes the hiker on a large loop through the mountains behind Brasstown Valley. The 2.5 mile loop is a lower section behind the resort. Both loops are through nice hardwood forests with lots of mountain creeks along the way. Portions of the upper loop were snow covered today! Wintertime mountain views as well as valley and Lake Chatuge views are very nice. Total hiking distance today – 9 miles – Easy to moderately strenuous due to elevation gain. Directions: Brasstown Valley Resort is located on Highway 76/17 between Hiawassee and Young Harris, GA Another great day for a hike! Fair with morning fog and temperatures ranging from 27 to 42 degrees F. FLOWERS IN BLOOM: zero BIRDS IDENTIFIED: Pileated Woodpecker, Red-bellied Woodpecker, Crow, White-breasted Nuthatch, Carolina Chickadee and Junco. Fauna – White-tailed Deer, Squirrel. |
 As we leave the parking lot, we find the trees beautifully covered with frost. |
 The start of the Miller Trek Trail with Wayne and Wanda Miller! |
 There are lots of information signs and nature trail signs on the lower loops. |
 Lots of nice mountain creeks along the trail! |
 Another nice hardwood forest. |
 Fungus of the week! |
 A nice fat squirrel! |
 Headed up the mountain. |
 We were surprised to see some snow along the way. |
 It must be wintertime! |
 Looking through the trees, we can see the mountains and the lake in the valley. |
 Another view along the trail. |
 The OFHC gang for today’s hike (l-r) Tony Presley, Vic Robson, Bill Hunt, Wayne Miller, Wanda Miller, Phil Brownrigg, Donna Presley, Pam Euliss, Bob Magee and Dan Euliss. |