July 26, 2011
| This week’s hike was on the Appalachian Trail in NC from Deep Gap to the Summit of Standing Indian Mountain (5,498 ft).
HIKERS – Pam Euliss, Jack Jacobi, Bob Magee, Jeanne O’Connor, Donna Presley, Tony Presley, Vic Robson, Pom Sinnock, and Carole Wintle. TRAIL INFO. – This portion of the A.T. is nice for a summertime hike. Only 5.2 miles round trip and the air is always a bit cooler here along with great views at the summit of Standing Indian. Total hiking distance today – 5.2 miles with a large elevation gain. Directions: From Franklin, NC, go West on US64 14 miles (from the overpass where US23 turns South toward Atlanta) to FS71 Deep Gap Rd. It is the first road to the left past the County Line sign (Clay County). Drive approximately 5.8 miles on this gravel road (FS 71) to the end of the road – Deep Gap parking lot. Another great day for a hike! Partly Cloudy and mild with temperatures ranging from 64 to 75 degrees F. FLOWERS IN BLOOM: Stinging Nettle, Rosebay Rhododendrun, Tall Bluet, Indian Pipe, False Foxglove (Geradia), Sachys, Turk’s Cap Lily, Whorled Loosestrife, Bush Honeysuckle, Red Bee Balm, White Bergamot, Phlox, Tall Milkweed, Black-eyed Susan, Spiderwort, Yellow Wood Sorrell, Evening Primrose, Purple Raspberry and Daisy Fleabane. BIRDS IDENTIFIED: Crow, Red Eyed Vireo, Yellow Throated Vireo, Nuthatch, Pine Warbler, Junco, Towhee. OTHER FAUNA: Garter Snake |
 Parking at Deep Gap. (dead end of F.S. road 71). |
 Trail marker at Deep Gap. |
 Starting out with sunbeams cutting through the fog. |
 Only Pom had to duck! |
 Fungi of the week! |
 This is a Wilderness Area. |
 Unique shelter sign. |
 When you see the Lower Ridge Trail sign, on the left, turn right to take the short side trail to the summit of Standing Indian. |
 The beauty of an ancient tree stump! |
 Nice view from the summit of Standing Indian! |
 Another view from our lunch spot! |
 Lunchtime at Standing Indian! |
 These Turk’s Cap Lillies were 8 ft. tall! |
 The OFHC gang for today’s hike. (l-r) Tony Presley, Jack Jacobi, Donna Presley, Pom Sinnock, Jeanne O’Connor, Carole Wintle, Pam Euliss, Bob Magee and Vic Robson . |
VIDEO FROM TODAY’S HIKE!