October 18, 2011
| This week’s hike was on the Smith Creek Trail in Unicoi State Park, GA. The trail starts at Little Brook Campground and ends at Anna Ruby Falls after 5 miles. It was a great day for a hike with mild temperatures and Fall colors. Total hike today 10 miles.
HIKERS: John Bellamy, June Bellamy, Karen Brown, Greta Driggers, Jim Driggers, Don Preece, Vic Robson and Dan Ross. TRAIL INFO. – A very nice trail through this beautiful mountain hardwood forest leading to Majestic Anna Ruby Falls. The 5 mile trail is in good shape but there are several trees down that block the trail and require crawling under or over or around. There are some moderate hills along the way. Overall difficulty – moderate. Total hike distance 10 miles round trip. Directions: Just north of Helen, GA turn right onto Hwy 356 and drive past the lake and take the first left and drive a half mile or so and look for the Little Brook Campground sign. Another great day for a hike! Partly cloudy and mild with temperatures ranging from the upper 50’s to mid 70’s F. FLOWERS IN BLOOM: Blue Aster, Bushy Aster, Heart-leaf Aster, White Woods Aster, Spiked Lobelia, White Snakeroot, Night Shade and Wand Goldenrod. BIRDS IDENTIFIED: Blue Jay, Pileated Woodpecker, American Crow and Carolina Wren. OTHER FAUNA: Cottontail Rabbit. |
 Trail information sign at the start. |
 The group had to negotiate several blow-downs along the way. |
 Lots of nice Golden Rod along the trail. |
 Another bad blow-down! |
 Another great day for a hike on the Smith Creek Trail! |
 We arrive at Anna Ruby Falls. |
 A portion of the falls. |
 White Snake Root. |
 Fall is the season for Asters. |
 The OFHC gang for today’s hike. (l-r) June Bellamy, John Bellamy, Dan Ross, Vic Robson, Karen Brown, Greta Driggers, Jim Driggers and Don Preece. |