September 13, 2011
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Today’s hike was on the Bartram Trail on the border of NC and GA from Hale Ridge Road to Osage Mountain Overlook and back. Total distance out and back – 7.4 miles. HIKERS – John Bellamy, June Bellamy, Karen Brown, Phil Brownrigg, Greta Driggers, Jim Driggers, Pam Euliss, Dave Hinson, Dick Metzgar and Vic Robson. TRAIL INFO. – This section of the Bartram Trail is a nice walk through a beautiful hardwood forest. It is a moderately strenuous hike due to the elevation changes. There are 13 foot-bridges on this part of this nice mountain trail. A nice reward of mountain views at Osage Mountain Vista. Directions: Take Hwy. 441 N from Clayton, GA through Dillard, GA and turn right onto GA 246 / NC 106 toward Highlands, NC. Drive about 7 miles and turn right at the old Scaly Mtn. Ski Slope at Hale Ridge Rd. Go a couple of miles and turn left onto a continuation of Hale Ridge road. Drive a mile or so and you will see the trail crossing sign on your right and on your left 25 yards down the road. Another great day for a hike! Sunny and mild with temperatures ranging from 58-74 degrees F. Hiking distance – 7.4 miles. BIRDS IDENTIFIED: Dark-eyed Junco, White-breasted Nuthatch, Yellow-billed Cuckoo, Blue Jay, Red-shouldered Hawk and Northern Raven. FLOWERS IN BLOOM: White Wood Aster, Tall Goldenrod, Beggar Lice, Southern Harebell, Dayflower, Smartweed, Pine-sap and Blue Lobelia. |
 Starting out from Hale Ridge Rd heading northward. |
 Trail marker near the start. |
 Another great day for a hike on the Bartram Trail. |
 The State line. |
 One of 13 foot-bridges. |
 Pine Sap (Monotropa hypopithys) |
 Large rock out-crops and boulders along the trail. |
 Taking a break on one of the bridges. |
 A side trail named PUC PUGGy (The Indians name for William Bartram – meaning the Flower Hunter). |
 Fungus of the week! |
 Lunchtime at Osage Mountain Vista. |
 Lunch with a view! |
 At Osage Vista, we met these folks with 7 poodles! |
 The OFHC gang for today’s hike. (l-r) Dick Metzgar, Pam Euliss, Dave Hinson, Greta Driggers, Vic Robson, Karen Brown, Jim Driggers, Phil Brownrigg, June Bellamy and John Bellamy. |