| Today’s hike started at the Buckeye Creek Trailhead and we hiked up to Wolf Rock but did not go to the summit as planned due to fog and cold wind.
Hiking distance 7 miles round trip. HIKERS – John Bellamy, June Bellamy, Phil Brownrigg, Greta Driggers, Jim Driggers, Clay Mesur, Nancy Mesur, Dick Metzgar, Donna Presley, Tony Presley, Vic Robson, Dan Ross, David Whitaker, Geri Whitaker and Carole Wintle. TRAIL INFORMATION – A very nice and not heavily used portion of the Bartram Trail. This area is a very rich wildflower habitat and the mountain views are very beautiful on a clear day. Today’s hiking distance – 7 miles with large elevation changes – moderately strenuous. Directions: Take Highway 441 N. thru Clayton, GA and continue to Otto, NC. Turn right on Tessentee Rd. and go several miles and turn left onto Buckeye Branch Rd. (there is a Bartram Trail sign here) and drive this gravel road to the dead-end parking lot just before the Forest Service locked gate. Another great day for a hike! Cloudy, foggy and cool with occasional mist. Temperatures ranging from 50-55 degrees F. FLOWERS IN BLOOM: Pink Ladyslipper, Yellow Ladyslipper, Catesby’s Trillium, Vasey’s Trillium, Shooting Star, Flame Azalea, Fringe Tree, Strawberry, Blackberry, Dewberry, Deerberry, Lyre-leafed Sage, Golden Alexander, Heart-leafed Alexander, Robin’s Plantain, Solomon’s Seal, Solomon’s Plume, Twisted Stalk, Mapleleaf Viburnum, Cinquefoil, Sweetshrub, Indian Physic, Fire Pink, Rattlesnake Weed, White Florabunda Rose, Wild Quinine, Rue Anemone, Mountain Laurel, Star Chickweed, Wild Geranium, Four-leaf Milkweed, Pussytoes, May Apple, Bluet, Tall Bluet, Golden Ragwort, Heartleaf golden Ragwort, Meadow Rue, Sweet White Violet, Purple Violet, Birdsfoot Violet, Hearts-a-bursting, Spring Beauty, Bedstraw, Dutchman’s Pipe, Jack-in-the-Pulpit, Purple Phacelia, Spiderwort and Fringe Tree. BIRDS IDENTIFIED: Crow, Pileated Woodpecker, Hooded Warbler, Red Eyed Vireo, Tufted Titmouse, Black Throated Green Warbler, Summer Tananger, Ruffed Grouse, Rose Breasted Grosbeak, Oven Bird, Scarlet Tananger, Carolina Wren, Black Throated Blue Warbler. |
 The Bartram Trail access parking lot at Buckeye Creek. |
 Another great day for a hike! |
 After starting out on an old roadbed, the trail turns left here heads uphill. |
 Trail sign at the turn. |
 The fog moves in and we pass the amazing old twisted tree. |
 Mountain Laurel |
 If you like green, you will love this trail! |
 Beautiful Flame Azalea |
 A rare find on our hikes – Shooting Stars (Dodecatheon meadia) |
 Another rare treat- Yellow Lady Slippers |
 The famous old abandoned school bus. |
 The OFHC gang for today’s hike. (l-r front) Tony Presley, Donna Presley, Geri Whitaker and David Whitaker. (l-r back) John Bellamy, June Bellamy, Phil Brownrigg, Carole Wintle, Dan Ross, Dick Metzgar, Jim Driggers, Greta Driggers, Nancy Mesur, Clay Mesur and Vic Robson. |