March 29, 2011
| This week’s hike was on the Appalachian Trail from Hogpen Gap to Wolf Laurel Top in GA northwest of Helen.
HIKERS – John Bellamy, June Bellamy, Karen Brown, Phil Brownrigg, Pam Euliss, Dave Hinson, Jack Jacobi, Dick Metzgar, Bruce O’Connor, Jeanne O’Connor, Lynne Porter-Whitmire, Rick Porter-Whitmire, Don Preece, Donna Presley, Tony Presley, Vic Robson, Dan Ross, Pom Sinnock, Lynne Saporito, Carole Wintle and Jack Wintle. Trail Info: Parking at Hogpen Gap, the trail first climbs over Wildcat Mountain and normally features several nice views but today was totally fogged in. Then down to Tessnatee Gap next to the highway then up a mile to Cow Rock Mountain and down to the gap and up to Wolf Laurel Top and back to Hogpen. This is one of the more spectacular hikes for views in GA on a clear day. Total hiking distance today – 6 miles R.T. It is a mostly strenuous hike due to elevation changes. 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 (GA 348). Turn right and travel about 8 miles to Hog Pen Gap. The parking lot is on the right. Another great day for a hike! Cloudy, very foggy and cold with temperatures ranging from 39 to 42 F. FLOWERS IN BLOOM: Bloodroot, Purple Violet, Purple Toadshade Trillium, Yellow Toadshade Trillium, Bluets, Pussytoes and Cut-leaf Toothwort BIRDS IDENTIFIED: Pileated Woodpecker, White-breasted Nuthatch and American Crow. |
 Trail marker at Hogpen Gap |
 Hitting the trail on a foggy morning. |
 Toadshade Trillium |
 Tesnatee Gap |
 We met several thru-hikers headed for Maine. |
 We met a group from the DNR at Cow Rock. They were doing research on Wood Rats. |
 Colorful Saxifrage |
 Lunchtime on the A.T. near Wolf Laurel. |
 Coming back through Tesnatee Gap, we find a group of Appalachian Trail Angels serving refreshments to thru-hikers. |
 One of the thru-hikers told us that a Black Bear stole some of his food the night before. |
 We decide to hike along the scenic highway back up to Hogpen Gap. |
 The OFHC gang for today’s hike. (l-r front) Jeanne O’Connor, Karen Brown, “Jessie”, Carole Wintle, “Ty”, Jack Wintle, Rick Porter-Whitmire, “Merlin”, Lynne Porter-Whitmire, “Honey”, Tony Presley {l-r 2nd row}Vic Robson, Bruce O’Connor, Pom Sinnock, Dan Ross, Don Preece, Donna Presley, June Bellamy, John Bellamy, Pam Euliss, Dave Hinson, Lynne Saporito, Phil Brownrigg, Dick Metzgar and Jack Jacobi. |