March 8, 2011
| Today’s hike on two trails off of the Richard B. Russell Scenic Highway above Helen, GA.
HIKERS – John Bellamy, June Bellamy, Phil Brownrigg, David Hinson, Bill Hunt, Jack Jacobi, Wanda Miller, Wayne Miller, Bruce O’Connor, Jeanne O’Connor, Donna Presley, Tony Presley, Joe Raguckas, Vic Robson, Dan Ross, Pom Sinnock, Lynne Saporito, Bob Thompson, David Whitaker, Geri Whitaker and Carole Wintle. The Raven Cliffs Trail is a 5 mile out and back hike in the Raven Cliffs Wilderness Area. This beautiful trail along Dodd Creek leads to the giant rock cliffs and Raven Cliffs Falls. After finishing this hike, our group went up the road a mile or so to Dukes Creek Falls Trail. This is a 2 mile out and back hike to the falls. Total hiking distance today – 7 mi. Directions: Take GA 75 north from Helen for 1.5 miles. Turn left onto GA 356(75 Alternate) and travel 2.3 miles to the Richard B. Russell Scenic Highway. Turn right and travel 2.8 miles to the trailhead and parking area. Another great day for a hike! Sunny, temperatures ranging from the upper 40’s to upper 50’s F. FLOWERS IN BLOOM: Yellow Violet BIRDS IDENTIFIED: Pileated Woodpecker, Crow, Phoebe |
 Our first trailhead today |
 Another great day for a hike! |
 The Raven Cliffs Trail follows beautiful Dodd Creek all the way to the cliffs. |
 The trail crosses a side creek that runs into Dodd Creek. |
 Our only wildflower of the day. Yellow Violet. |
 A waterfall just below the cliffs. |
 The massive Raven Cliffs! |
 Raven Cliffs Falls runs between the split in the rock cliffs. |
 We drive up the road a mile or two to Dukes Creek Falls. Lunchtime! |
 View of Yonah Mountain from the parking lot at Dukes Creek. |
 Start of the trail. |
 Lots of water today at Dukes Creek Falls. |
 Nice observation decks at Dukes Creek Falls. |
 The portion of the falls where Dodd Creek joins Davis Creek to form Dukes Creek. |
 The OFHC gang for today’s hike. (l-r) Tony Presley, Carole Wintle, Joe Raguckas, Bruce O’Connor, David Hinson, Jeanne O’Connor, June Bellamy, Lynne Saporito, John Bellamy, Bill Hunt, Pom Sinnock, Wayne Miller, Wanda Miller, Bob Thompson, Vic Robson, Dan Ross, Donna Presley, Phil Brownrigg, Jack Jacobi, Geri Whitaker, “Nugget” and David Whitaker. |