March 2, 2010
| Today’s hike was on the Appalachian Trail starting at Dicks Creek Gap hiking southward to the Deep Gap Shelter and back. 8 miles total.
HIKERS – Phil Brownrigg, Pam Euliss, Dick Metzgar, Bill Hunt, Don Preece, Donna Presley, Tony Presley, Vic Robson, David Whitaker, Geri Whitaker and Carole Wintle. TRAIL INFORMATION – A very nice hike on the A.T. with nice mountain views along the way through this beautiful North Georgia hardwood forest. The footing was slippery in areas where the snow covered the ground. The trail takes you up to Moreland Gap then over Powell Mountain to McClure Gap and then down to Deep Gap. Then, we took the side trail down to the Deep Gap Shelter for lunch. We also took the side trail out to a vista on the way. We rate the hike moderately difficult due to lots of elevation changes. 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 at the Towns County border. The parking lot is on the right. Another great day for a hike! Partly Cloudy with temperatures ranging from the low 30’s to low 40’s degrees F. Hiking distance – 8 miles. FLOWERS IN BLOOM: none BIRDS IDENTIFIED: Crow, Pileated Woodpecker, Junco, Turkey Vulture, Pine Warbler. |
 Today’s trailhead |
 Another great day for a hike on the Appalachian Trail! |
 We soon find out that there is snow remaining from the last storm. |
 We take the side trail to a great mountain vista! |
 Here we get nice views of snowy mountains. |
 We find deep snow drifts at McClure Gap! |
 The snow in the trail here is knee deep to Pam! |
 We take the side trail down to the Deep Gap Shelter. |
 Lunchtime at Deep Gap! |
 Another niced mountain view! |
 “Ty” is our trail dog again this week. |
 The large engraved boulder at the start. |
 The OFHC gang for today’s hike (l-r front) David Whitaker, Geri Whitaker, Vic Robson, Donna Presley, Pam Euliss, “Ty” the trail dog and Carole Wintle.(l-r back) Phil Brownrigg, Dick Metzgar, Don Preece, Bill Hunt and Tony Presley. |