March 6, 2012
| Today’s hike was on two trails in Stephens County, GA near Toccoa. These trails are part of the Frady Branch Trail System.
HIKERS – John Bellamy, June Bellamy, Pam Euliss, Jack Jacobi, Mike Jones, Dick Metzgar, Don Preece, Donna Presley, Tony Presley, Vic Robson, Dan Ross. TRAIL INFO. – The Frady Branch Trail system consists of several multi-use trails in Stephens County near Toccoa, GA. Today, we hiked the Frady Branch and Leatherwood Creek Loops. We accessed the trails from the Currahee Mountain Road (Robert Sink Trail), parking at Pear Orchard Rd. The trails have some hills but also have lots of flat hiking with some being on old road beds. Over-all, we rate the hike moderately easy. Directions: From the north headed toward Toccoa on Highway 17 (4-lane), you will be coming down a mountain and at the bottom, turn right at the 1st traffic light (Jeanette Jameson Intersection) travel 2.3 miles to Robert Sink Rd. on the left (the gravel road just before the entrance rd. to Patterson Pump, inc. . If you are coming from Toccoa, take Highway 123 (Currahee St) West about 4 miles and continue straight at the Jeanette Jameson intersection (Shell station) Drive 2.3 miles to Robert Sink Rd. on the left just before Patterson Pump, Inc. Next, take the Sink Road up the mountain and look for the 3rd F.S. road to the right. Park at the intersection of this road and walk up this road for a half mile or so and you will see trail signs. Another great day for a hike! Mostly sunny and cool with temperatures ranging from 36 to 58 degrees F. Distance hiked – 8.5 miles. FLOWERS IN BLOOM: Birdsfoot Violet and Purple Violet. BIRDS IDENTIFIED: Pine Warbler, Chipping Sparrow, Carolina Wren, Pileated Woodpecker, American Crow, Wild Turkey. |
 Trail signs on the Frady Branch Trail System. |
 A clear, cool morning for a walk in the woods. |
 Exploring one of the rock cliffs. |
 Barney was our trail dog today! |
 We visited Romans Den which is located on a side trail. |
 The Romans Den cave entrance. |
 A bat on the ceiling of the cave. |
 An unusual loop in this tree! |
 We had to cross Leatherwood Creek three times. |
 The trail zig-zags the creek where a couple of foot-bridges were washed away two or three years ago. |
 Another tricky crossing. |
 Several sections of trail follow old roadbeds. |
 An absolutely perfect day for a hike! |
 The OFHC gang for today’s hike! (l-r) Tony Presley, Vic Robson, Dick Metzgar, Mike Jones and “Barney”, Jack Jacobi, June Bellamy, Donna Presley, John Bellamy, Pam Euliss, Don Preece and Dan Ross. |
Many more photos below!