April 20, 2010
| Today’s hike was on the Tennessee Rock Trail in Black Rock Mountain State Park near Clayton, GA. We completed this hike and had planned on hiking a portion of the James Edmonds Trail and a lake loop but we had a nice rain shower and decided to stop our hike at lunchtime today.
HIKERS – Phil Brownrigg, Greta Driggers, Jim Driggers, Pam Euliss, Bruce O’Connor, Jeanne O’Connor, Donna Presley, Tony Presley, Vic Robson, Dan Ross and Pom Sinnock. TRAIL INFORMATION – The Tennessee Rock Trail is a beautiful 2.2 mile loop trail in Black Rock Mt. State Park. The trail features a very lush wildflower environment that is spectacular in the springtime. Mountain views are also magnificent with views to the north over Wolffork valley and southward overlooking Clayton, GA. The trail is hilly but it is only 2.2 miles so we rate it moderately easy. Directions: Take highway 441 northward from Clayton and turn left onto Black Rock Mt. Road at Mountain City. Continue on toward the top of the mountain and the trail parking lot is about a quarter mile from the visitors center at the top. Another great day for a hike! Cloudy and cool with rain developing and temperatures ranging from the mid to upper 40’s F. Hiking distance – 2.2 miles. FLOWERS IN BLOOM: Purple Trillium, Yellow Trillium, Star Chickweed, Mouse-ear Chickweed, Cutleaf Toothwort, Bloodroot, Mountain Vetch, Strawberry, Huckleberry, Serviceberry, Yellow Star Grass, Tall Buttercup, Hooked Buttercup, Red Bud, Dogwood, Sassafras, Silverbell, Pussytoes, Lobed Violet, Yellow Violet, Canada Violet and Purple Violet. BIRDS IDENTIFIED: Towhee, Overbird, Chickadee, Pileated Woodpecker, American Crow, Dark-eyed Junco, Blue Jay and Red-eyed Vireo. |
 The trail parking lot at Black Rock Mt. |
 The trail options. We did the Tennessee Rock Trail. |
 The lush botanical area. |
 Walk carefully! |
 Many years ago a tree seedling sprouted in an old stump. Years passed and the stump rotted away leaving the tree on stilts. |
 Nice views along the trail! |
 The marker at the summit. |
 We saw hundreds of Purple and Yellow Toadshade Trillium. |
 Looking northward over the Wolffork Valley. |
 Clouds are getting thicker. |
 Sign near the Visitors Center. |
 View at the overlook! |
 The OFHC gang for today’s hike. (l-r front) Phil Brownrigg, Dan Ross, Jeanne O’Connor, Pom Sinnock, Bruce O’Connor, Jim Driggers, Donna Presley, Greta Driggers, Pam Euliss, Vic Robson and Tony Presley. |