8/23/2011 Appalachian Trail – Deep Gap – Muskrat Creek – NC

This week’s hike was on the Appalachian Trail in NC from Deep Gap to Muskrat Creek and back. Total hike today 8 miles.

HIKERS: John Bellamy, Phil Brownrigg, Pam Euliss, Bill Hunt, Mike Jones, Jeanne O’Connor, Don Preece, Vic Robson, Dan Ross, Pom Sinnock, David Whitaker and Geri Whitaker .

TRAIL INFO. – This portion of the Appalachian Trail is a nice walk through a lush hardwood forest with nice mountain views in the winter and great wildflowers in the spring and summer. The trail is very rocky in several places and the terrain is rolling. Trail is rated moderate difficulty and the round trip distance is 8 miles.

Directions: From Franklin, NC, go West on US64 13.6 miles (from 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 6 miles on this gravel road (FS 71) to the Deep Gap parking lot (dead end of road).

Another great day for a hike! Mostly Sunny and mild with temperatures ranging from the low 60’s to mid 70’s F.

FLOWERS IN BLOOM: Peruvian Daisies, White Snakeroot, White Woods Aster, Alumroot, Wand Goldenrod, Tall Goldenrod, False Hellebore Southern Harebell, Joe Pye Weed, Horse Balm, Indian Plantain, Beech Drops, Pale Jewelweed, Spotted Jewelweed, Purple Raspberry, Stinging Nettle, Split-leaf Coneflower, Woodland Sunflower and Black-eyed-Susan.

BIRDS IDENTIFIED: Crow, Black Throated Green Warbler, Pileated Woodpecker, Nuthatch, Flicker, Blue Jay, Black Throated Blue Warbler, Black & White Warbler, Chipping Sparrow.