February 2, 2011
| Today’s hike was on two trails in the Lake Russell Recreation Area near Cornelia, GA. First, the Lake Russell Loop trail is a 4.6 mile hike around the lake. Next, we hked the Sourwood trail. It is a 2.7 mile loop that features Nancy Town Falls. Total hike including the walk between the two trailheads. – 8 miles.
HIKERS: Karen Brown, Bill Hunt, David Hinson, Jack Jacobi, Hayward Marshall, Dick Metzgar, John Mooneyham, Bruce O’Connor, Jeanne O’Connor, Donna Presley, Tony Presley, Joe Raguckas, Vic Robson, Dan Ross, Pom Sinnock and Carole Wintle. TRAIL INFO. – The Lake Russell Loop Trail circles the shoreline of beautiful Lake Russell on mostly flat terrain. The Sourwood Trail is another loop trail that goes up to Nancytown Falls and loops back around to the start with the last half mile on a forest service road. Both trails are very well maintained. Directions: The Lake Russell Recreation Area is off the Dicks Hill Parkway East of Cornelia, at Mt. Airy, GA near the railroad bridge, turn onto the Lake Russell Recreation Area access road. Drive about 2.5 miles to the parking lot at Nancytown Lake. Another great day for a hike! Cloudy with only a short period of light drizzle. Temperatures ranged from 39 to 43 degrees F. FLOWERS IN BLOOM: none BIRDS IDENTIFIED: Carolina Wren, Tufted Titmouse, Pileated Woodpecker, Pintail Duck, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Great Blue Herron, Robin, Carolina Chickadee, Canada Geese, Wood Duck and Swamp Sparrow. . |
 The trail-head at Nancytown Lake. |
 Three trails to choose from. |
 Our first trail today was the Lake Russell Loop Trail. About a half-mile follows the road. |
 Another great day for a hike! |
 Fungus of the week! |
 This trail sign is about 1.5 miles into the hike. |
 Views of Lake Russell all along the trail. |
 Passing by the dam. |
 A true shoreline trail! |
 Tailgating party for Bruce’s birthday! |
 Next, we head over to the Sourwood Trail. |
 A beautiful walk through the forest! |
 Nancytown Falls |
 A nice view on Nancytown Creek! |
 The OFHC gang for today’s hike (l-r) Tony Presley, Carole Wintle, Bruce O’Connor, Jeanne O’Connor, Donna Presley, Karen Brown, David Hinson, Dick Metzgar, Pom Sinnock, Joe Raguckas, Vic Robson, Jack Jacobi, Dan Ross, Bill Hunt, Hayward Marshall and John Mooneyham. |