7/13/2010 Bartram Trail – Jones Knob – Whiterock Mt. , NC

HIKERS – John Bellamy, June Bellamy, Phil Brownrigg, Pam Euliss, Dick Metzgar, Donna Presley, Tony Presley, Vic Robson, Pom Sinnock, David Whitaker , Geri Whitaker and Carole Wintle.

TRAIL INFO. – This is a beautiful hike on the NC Bartram Trail. Spectacular mountain vistas along with a very lush hardwood forest environment provide for a very enjoyable hiking experience.

Total hiking distance today – 5.2 miles with moderate hills – moderately easy hike.

Directions: From the corner of 4th and Main in Highlands, take US64/28 (toward Franklin) for 4.2 miles to Turtle Pond Rd. (SR1620). Turn left and drive 1.1 miles to SR1678. Turn right and drive 1.4 miles to the top of a hill. Turn left on Jones Gap Rd. (FR4522). Take this road 2 miles to the parking area at the end of the road. The trail leaves the parking area on the right.

Another great day for a hike! Partly Cloudy and warm with temperatures ranging from 70 to 80 degrees F.

FLOWERS IN BLOOM: Oxalis, Flowering Spurge, Dandelion, St. John’s-wort, Mountain Mint, Buttercup, Hawkweed, Rhododendron maximum, Milkweed, Pipsissewa, Wood Sorrel, Blazing Star, Phlox, Yellow Jewelweed, Coreopsis, Phlox, Turk’s Cap Lily, Wild Hydrangea, Heal-all, Spiderwort, Dodder, Red Bee-balm, White Bee-balm, Black Eyed Susan, Joe-pye-weed, Daisy Fleabane, Pokeberry, White Clover, Red Clover, Evening Primrose, Deptford Pink, Starry Campion, Dutchman’s Pipe and Rattlesnake Plantain.

BIRDS IDENTIFIED: Raven, Wild Turkey, Hooded Warbler, Yellow Billed Cuckoo, Rufous-sided Towhee, Oven Bird, Red Eyed Vireo, White Breasted Nuthatch, Pileated Woodpecker, Black Throated Blue Warbler, Raven, Turkey Vulture.

OTHER FAUNA: Garter Snake, Chipmunk, Rabbit