6/15/2010 Appalachian Trail – Siler Bald, NC

HIKERS – John Bellamy, June Bellamy, Phil Brownrigg, Greta Driggers, Jim Driggers, Sam Hay, Bill Hunt, Jack Jacobi, Donna Presley, Tony Presley, Dan Ross, David Whitaker and Geri Whitaker.

TRAIL INFO. This is a nice hike including the great views from 5,216 ft. Siler Bald followed by a beautiful hike on the Siler Bald Shelter Loop. The terrain is hilly and the forest is a beautiful hardwood environment with lots of wildflowes.

Total hiking distance today – 6 miles

Directions: From Franklin, travel west on US 64 for 3 miles to Old Murphy Road where there is a Wayah Bald sign. Turn right and drive .2 mile to Wayah Road (SR 1310). Turn left and continue for 9 miles to Wayah Gap and FR 69. There is an Appalachian Trail crossing sign. (Wayah Crest Picnic Area is on the left.)

Another great day for a hike! Partly Cloudy and warm with temperatures ranging from 72 to 82 degrees F.

FLOWERS IN BLOOM: Flame Azalea, Rosebay Rhododendrun, Mountain Laurel, Mountain Hydrangea, Devil’s Bit, Tall Bluet, Meadow Rue, Tassel Rue, Cinquefoil, Daisy Fleabane, Yellow Stargrass, Cow Wheat, Indian Cucumber, Indian Physic, Sundrop, Galax, Goat’s Beard, Whorled Loosestrife, Canada Violet, Stinging Nettles, Foamflower, Rattlesnake Plantain, White Yarrow, Pink Yarrow, Hawkweed, Sheep Sorrell, Fire Pink, Blue-eyed Grass, Tall Buttercup, Lizard’s Tail, Spiderwort, Blackberry, Sweet Cicily, Stachys, Tall Milkweed, Solomon’s Seal and Yellow Wood Sorrell.

BIRDS IDENTIFIED: Black Throated Blue Warbler, Veery, Hooded Warbler, Red Eyed Vireo, Black & White Warbler, Oven Bird, Junco, Chipping Sparrow, Scarlet Tananger, Yellow Throated Vireo, Towhee, Cat Bird, Nuthatch, Indigo Bunting, Summer Tananger, Rose Breasted Grosbeak, PeeWee, Pileated Woodpecker, Broad Winged Hawk, Crow, Red Tailed Hawk, Chestnut Sided Warbler.