June 12, 2012
| This week’s hike was on the Bartram Trail in NC. We hiked to the summit of Scaly Mountain and we also did the side trail to Hickory Knut Gap.
HIKERS – John Bellamy, June Bellamy, Pam Euliss, Bill Hunt, Greta Driggers, Jim Driggers, Bob Magee, Dick Metzgar, Jeanne O’Connor, Donna Presley, Tony Presley, Vic Robson and Pom Sinnock. TRAIL INFO. – Always a beautiful hike with great mountain views from the massive rock faces of Scaly Mountain. Native Azaleas and Rhododendrons are spectacular this time of year. The side trail to Hickory Knut Gap is also a nice walk to add to the hike. From Osage Mt. Vista to the summit is a climb of 1,000+ feet. Total hiking distance today – Approximately 5.5 miles with lots of elevation gain. We rate it the difficulty as moderately strenuous. Directions: Osage Mt. Vista is 5.7 miles west of Highlands on NC Hwy. 106. Or from Dillard, GA turn right on GA 246 which becomes NC 106 and drive approx. 9 miles to Osage Overlook on the right. Another great day for a hike! Partly Cloudy and humid with temperatures ranging from 68 to 77 degrees F. FLOWERS IN BLOOM: Daisy, Mountain Laurel, Fly Poison, Tall Bluet, Milkweed, Thin Leaved Sunflower, White Yarrow, Indian Physic, Mountain Hydrangea, Queen Anne’s Lace, Daisy Fleabane, Hawkweed, Fire Pink, Flowering Spurge, Mountain Mint, Rosebay Rhododendron, White Bergamot, Indian Pipes, Spiderwort, Pipsissewa, Indian Cucumber Root, Whorled Loosestrife, Sweet Azalea, Flame Azalea. Birds Identified: Crow, Pileated Woodpecker, Veery, Pine Warbler, Towhee, Blue Jay, Black Throated Blue Warbler, Black and White Warbler, Nuthatch, Junco, Broadwing Hawk, Vulture, Purple Martin, Mourning Dove, Oven Bird, Tufted Titmouse, Verio, Chestnut-sided Warbler, Carolina Chickadee. |
 The starting point for today’s hike. |
 Another great day for a hike! |
 The view from Osage Mountain Vista. |
 The trail starts up steps next to the Highlands highway. |
 The Flame Azaleas are near the end of their bloom cycle. |
 The intersection with the Hickory Knut Trail. |
 The sign at Hickory Knut Gap.. |
 Back on the Bartram Trail to Scaly Mt. |
 Beautiful and fragrant Sweet Azaleas. |
 The summit of Scaly Mountain is a great lunch spot! |
 Food always tastes great on a mountain top! |
 Looking across to Rabun Bald! |
 A common site along hiking trails. Stacked stones called “Preece rocks”. |
 The OFHC gang for today’s hike! (l-r) Bill Hunt, Bob Magee, Jeanne O’Connor, John Bellamy, June Bellamy, Greta Driggers, Donna Presley, Jim Driggers, Dick Metzgar, Pam Euliss and “Angus”, Pom Sinnock, Vic Robson and Tony Presley. |