July 6, 2010
| This week’s hike was on the Appalachian Trail in NC from Deep Gap to the Summit of Standing Indian Mountain (5,500 ft).
HIKERS – John Bellamy, Karen Brown, Phil Brownrigg, Bart DeHaven, Pam Euliss, Dave Hinson, Bruce O’Connor, Jeanne O’Connor, Vic Robson, Dan Ross, Lynne Saporito, Pom Sinnock, David Whitaker , Geri Whitaker and Carole Wintle. TRAIL INFO. – This portion of the A.T. is nice for a summertime hike. Only 5.2 miles round trip and the air is always a bit cooler here along with great views at the summit of Standing Indian. Total hiking distance today – 5.2 miles with a large elevation gain. Directions: From Franklin, NC, go West on US64 14 miles (from the overpass where US23 turns South toward Atlanta) to FS71 Deep Gap Rd. It is the first road to the left past the County Line sign (Clay County). Drive approximately 5.8 miles on this gravel road (FS 71) to the end of the road – Deep Gap parking lot. Another great day for a hike! Partly Cloudy and warm with temperatures ranging from 64 to 84 degrees F. FLOWERS IN BLOOM: Stinging Nettle, Rosebay Rhododendrun, Carolina Rhododendrun, Flame Azalea, Mountain Hydrangea, Fire Pink, Tall Bluet, Cow Wheat, Indian Pipe, False Foxglove, Sachys, Turk’s Cap Lily, Whorled Loosestrife, Bush Honeysuckle, St. John’s Wort, Galax, Bee Balm, Bergamot, Phlox, Tall Milkweed, Black-eyed Susan, Spiderwort, Yellow Wood Sorrell, Sundrop, Peruvian Daisy, Pale Jewelweed, Evening Primrose, Purple Raspberry and Daisy Fleabane. BIRDS IDENTIFIED: Veery, Oven Bird, Crow, Pileated Woodpecker, Red Eyed Vireo, Yellow Throated Vireo, Nuthatch, Pine Warbler, Junco, Raven. |
 Parking at Deep Gap |
 Entering the wilderness! |
 Another great day for a hike! |
 Some of today’s wildflowers (top left then clockwise) Turk’s Cap Lily, St. Johns Wort, Fire Pink, Mountain Pholx. |
 The summit of Standing Indian Mt. is on a short side-trail off of the A.T. |
 Looking deep into the N.C. mountains. |
 Here, we see about six layers of mountains! |
 The Rosebay Rhododendrons were in peak bloom! |
 Colorful mushroom |
 Lunchtime on Standing Indian |
 We met a group of “Mountain High Hikers”! |
 The OFHC gang for today’s hike. (l-r) David Whitaker, Geri Whitaker Pam Euliss, Phil Brownrigg, Carole Wintle, Pom Sinnock, Lynne Saporito, Dave Hinson, Bruce O’Connor, John Bellamy, Jeanne, O’Connor, Dan Ross, Vic Robson, Bart DeHaven and Karen Brown . |