6/7/2011 Bartram Trail – Jones Gap – Whiterock Mt. – NC

HIKERS – John Bellamy, Chuck Crisp, Jackie Crisp, Greta Driggers, Jim Driggers, Pam Euliss, Jack Jacobi, Lynne Porter-Whitmire,Rick Porter-Whitmire, Donna Presley, Tony Presley, Vic Robson, Lynne Saporito 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 lots of wildflowers and birds and 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 mild with temperatures ranging from 68 to 77 degrees F.

FLOWERS IN BLOOM: Solomon Seal, Micheaux’s Saxifrage, Blackberry, Buttercup, Hawkweed, Rhododendron maximum, Milkweed, Pipsissewa, Wood Sorrel, Spiderwort, Daisy Fleabane, Primrose, Fire Pink, Goat’s Beard, Mountain Laurel, Flame Azalea, Meadow Rue, White Yarrow, Purple Wood Sorrell, Indian Physic, Galax and Tall Bluet.

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