June 19, 2012
| This week’s hike was on the Jacks Knob Trail in GA from the intersection of Highway 180 and alt 180 to the summit of Georgia’s highest peak – Brasstown Bald (4,784 ft.). 6.3 miles round trip.
HIKERS – Thomas Bowers, Phil Brownrigg, Bill Hunt, Greta Driggers, Jim Driggers, Bob Magee, Dick Metzgar, Donna Presley, Tony Presley, Vic Robson, Dan Ross, David Whitaker, Geri Whitaker and Carole Wintle. TRAIL INFO. – The Jacks Knob trail is a steep climb up Rocky Mountain and down the other side to the parking lot of Brasstown Bald Visitors Center. From the parking lot the trail is asphalt and a steep climb of .6 miles to the summit of Brasstown Bald. The views from the amazing observation decks are breathtaking! Total hiking distance today – 6.3 miles with lots of elevation gain. We rate the difficulty as strenuous. Directions: Drive North from Helen on Hwy 75 past Unicoi Gap and continue down the other side of the mountain and continue to the intersection of Hwy 180. Turn left on Hwy. 180 and drive to the Hwy. “alt 180” intersection on the right (stop here). There is a parking lot at this intersection for access to the Jack’s Knob Trail. Another great day for a hike! Sunny and cool to mild – Temperatures ranged from 60 to 75 F. FLOWERS IN BLOOM: Ox-eye Daisy, Yellow Star Grass, Daisy Fleabane, Tall Bluet, Cow Wheat, Whorled Loosestrife, Mountain Hydrangea, Mountain Laurel, Flame Azalea, Rosebay Rhododendrun, Galax, Spotted Wintergreen, Sun Drop, Indian Pipe, Squawroot, Spiderwort, Poke-leaf Milkweed, Yellow Wood Sorrell and Hop Clover. BIRDS IDENTIFIED: Black & White Warbler, Black Throated Blue Warbler, Blue Jay, Chickadee, Phoebe, Veery, Wood Thrush, Red Eyed Vireo, Pileated Woodpecker, Broad Winged Hawk, Junco, Towhee. |
 The starting point for today’s hike. |
 Another great day for a hike! |
 Headed up the steep incline of the Jacks Knob Trail! |
 The Rosebay Rhododendrons are starting to bloom! |
 The Flame Azalea! |
 This old knarly Oak is near the peak of the Jacks Knob Trail. |
 The end of the Jacks Knob Trail at the Brasstown Bald Parking Area. |
 Brasstown Bald! |
 The start of the asphalt trail that leads to the summit. |
 The Visitors Center at the summit of Brasstown Bald. |
 Amazing views in every direction! |
 The viewing decks are great! |
 Looking down to Hiawassee, GA and lake Chatuge. |
 The thermometer at the visitors center shows 62 degrees at noon. Record high is 84 and record low is -27 degrees F! |
 Mushroom of the week! |
 The OFHC gang for today’s hike! (l-r front) Vic Robson, Donna Presley, Geri Whitaker & “Gabby”, Thomas Bowers, Bill Hunt and David Whitaker & “Nugget”. (l-r back) Dan Ross, Carole Wintle, Bob Magee, Greta Driggers, Jim Driggers Dick Metzgar, Phil Brownrigg and Tony Presley. |