January 24, 2012
| This week’s hike was on the Arkaquah Trail near Young Harris GA. The hike was from Track Rock Gap to a point a mile or so from Brastown Bald. 8 miles round trip.
HIKERS – John Bellamy, June Bellamy, Phil Brownrigg, Pam Euliss, Dave Hinson, Jack Jacobi, Dick Metzgar, Jeanne O’Connor, Terry Pickett, Donna Presley, Tony Presley, Vic Robson, Dan Ross, Lynne Saporito, Pom Sinnock, David Whitaker, Geri Whitaker and Carole Wintle. TRAIL INFO: A beautiful but very strenuous wintertime hike on the Arkaquah Trail starting at Track Rock Gap. Parkiing at the Track Rock Geological site, we first visited the ancient petroglyphs at the site and then crossed the highway and started up the Arkaquah Trail toward Brasstown Bald. The first 1.5 miles of the trail are uphill. The mountain views are continuous when this trail is hiked in the wintertime. The Trail was in good shape with no significant obstructions. Distance hiked – 8 miles – difficulty is rated most strenuous. Directions: Take Highway 76 west out of Clayton, GA and go through Hiawassee and past Young Harris and turn left onto Track Rock Gap Rd. Travel a couple of miles to the parking lot on the rightfor the Track Rock Archeological Site. Another great day for a hike! Partly to mostly sunny. Temperatures ranged from 48 to 58 degrees F. FLOWERS IN BLOOM: none BIRDS IDENTIFIED: Pileated Woodpecker, Junco, Raven, Northern Flicker and American Crow. |
 The starting point for today’s hike. |
 First, we took the short trail up to the archeological site. |
 Petroglyphs estimated to be more than 1,000 years old! |
 Recent renovation at the site placed these nice educational signs. |
 Next, we crossed the highway and headed up the strenuous but beautiful Arkaquah Trail. |
 Another great day for a hike! |
 A nice dew-covered spider web! |
 After almost 1.5 miles of uphill hiking, we come to the top of the first mountain! Great views! |
 Looking down toward the town of Young Harris, GA. |
 Wow! |
 Looking over to Brasstown Bald. Georgia’s highest elevation! |
 The OFHC gang for today’s hike! (l-r)Phil Brownrigg, Jack Jacobi, Carole Wintle, Lynne Saporito, Donna Presley, John Bellamy, Terry Pickett, Geri Whitaker, June Bellamy, Dan Ross, David Whitaker, Jeanne O’Connor, Pam Euliss, Dave Hinson, Vic Robson, Pom Sinnock, Dick Metzgar, and Tony Presley |