January 3, 2012
| This week’s hike was on the Lake Russell Trail and The Sourwood Trail, located in the Lake Russell Recreation area near Cornelia, GA.
HIKERS – Phil Brownrigg, Pam Euliss, Bill Hunt, Mike Jones, Jeanne O’Connor, Don Preece, Vic Robson, Dan Ross and Carole Wintle. TRAIL INFO. – The Lake Russell Loop Trail circles the shoreline of beautiful Lake Russell on mostly flat terrain. The Sourwood Trail is another loop trail that goes up to Nancytown Falls and loops back around to the start with the last half mile on a forest service road. Both trails are very well maintained. Difficulty is moderately easy. Total mileage is approximately 8 miles including the walk between the two trails. Directions: The Lake Russell Recreation Area is off the Dicks Hill Parkway East of Cornelia, at Mt. Airy, GA near the railroad bridge, turn onto the Lake Russell Recreation Area access road. Drive about 2.5 miles to the parking lot at Nancytown Lake. Another great day for a hike! Fair and bitter cold with wind. Temperatures ranged from 19 to 29 degrees F. FLOWERS IN BLOOM: none BIRDS IDENTIFIED: American Crow, Chickadee, Tufted Titmouse, White-breasted Nuthatch, Dark-eyed Junco, Canada Goose, Great Blue Heron, Black Vulture and Turkey Vulture. |
 Starting out at Nancytown Lake on a very cold morning! |
 Chilly Nancytown Creek. |
 The lake is a little choppy early into the hike. |
 The trail takes you along the park road for a half-mile or so. |
 Re-entering the regular trail here. |
 Beautiful Lake Russell! |
 These vultures were feeding on the carcuss of a deer when we approached. |
 Our second trail today! |
 One of the steel foot-bridges on the Sourwood Trail. |
 Lunchtime on the pine straw! |
 The OFHC gang for today’s hike! (l-r) Carole Wintle, Mike Jones, Jeanne O’Connor, “Barney” the trail dog, Dan Ross, Pam Euliss, Don Preece, Vic Robson, Phil Brownrigg and Bill Hunt. |