June 26, 2012
| This week’s hike was on the Bartram Trail in NC from Jones Gap to Jones Knob then over to the Summit of Whiterock Mountain then to Fishhawk Mountain and back.
HIKERS – Karen Brown, Phil Brownrigg, Greta Driggers, Jim Driggers, Pam Euliss, Jack Jacobi, Dick Metzgar, Donna Presley, Tony Presley, Vic Robson, Lynne Saporito, Carole Wintle and Jack Wintle. TRAIL INFO. – This is a beautiful hike on the NC Bartram Trail. Spectacular mountain vistas along with a very lush hardwood forest environment provide for lots of wildflowers and birds and a very enjoyable hiking experience. Total hiking distance today – 7 miles with moderate hills – Overall difficulty – Moderate. Directions: From the corner of 4th and Main in Highlands, take US64/28 (toward Franklin) for 4.2 miles to Turtle Pond Rd. (SR1620). Turn left and drive 1.1 miles to SR1678. Turn right and drive 1.4 miles to the top of a hill. Turn left on Jones Gap Rd. (FR4522). Take this road 2 miles to the parking area at the end of the road. The trail leaves the parking area on the right. Another great day for a hike! Partly Cloudy and mild with temperatures ranging from 62 to 78 degrees F. FLOWERS IN BLOOM: Pale Corydalis, Mountain Hydrangea, Micheaux’s Saxifrage, Phlox, Buttercup, Hawkweed, Rhododendron maximum, Milkweed, Pipsissewa, Wood Sorrel, Spiderwort, Fire Pink, Goat’s Beard, Flame Azalea, White Yarrow, and Tall Bluet. BIRDS IDENTIFIED: Junco, Black Vulture, Wood-Pewee, Hooded Warbler, Black and White Warbler, Rufous-sided Towhee, Oven Bird, Red Eyed Vireo, White Breasted Nuthatch, Pileated Woodpecker, Black Throated Blue Warbler, Turkey Vulture. |
 Getting ready at the Jones Gap parking lot. |
 Trail information board. |
 Another great day for a hike on the Bartram Trail! |
 We took the side trail up to Jones Knob. |
 Early morning view from Jones Knob. |
 Fire Pink (Silene virginica). |
 Trail marker at White Rock Gap. |
 A half-mile later, we arrive at the side trail up to Whiterock Mountain. |
 View one from Whiterock Mt. |
 Lunchtime view today! |
 Another view! |
 Mushroom of the week! |
 Phlox is in peak bloom season. |
 The plaque on top of Fish Hawk Mountain in memory of William Bartram. |
 The OFHC gang for today’s hike! (l-r) Jim Driggers, Greta Driggers, Carole Wintle, Donna Presley, Jack Wintle, Vic Robson, Dick Metzgar, Lynne Saporito & “Angus”, Pam Euliss, Jack Jacobi, Phil Brownrigg, Karen Brown and Tony Presley. |