October 9, 2012
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TRAIL INFO. – We traveled to Bryson City, NC today and hiked the Deep Creek Loop Trail and the Indian Creek Trail along with a short walk along the Tuckaseegee River at nearby Whittier, NC. Total hiking distance today – About 6 miles with one large elevation change on the loop trail. We rate the over-all hike difficulty as moderate. Directions: FROM FRANKLIN, NC TAKE US 441 THRU DILLSBORO, MERGE ON TO US 74 WEST, TAKE EX 67 (BRYSON CITY), 1ST LIGHT GO RIGHT, NEXT LIGHT GO LEFT AT OLD COURT HOUSE, CROSS THE RR TRACKS AND GO ABOUT 400 FT. (PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH ON LEFT) VEAR RIGHT ONTO WATERS ST. IT BECOMES TOOT HOLLOW RD. IT DEAD ENDS INTO WEST DEEP CREEK RD. LEFT ON WEST DEEP CREEK RD, FOLLOW W DEEP CREEK INTO THE PARK Another great day for a hike! Cloudy and cool with temperatures ranging from the upper 40’s to the upper 50’s F. WILDFLOWERS IN BLOOM: Mountain Gentian, White Wood Aster, Downy Aster, Blue Lobelia, Smartweed, Wingstem, Coreopsis, Ironweed, White Snakeroot, Indian Tobacco, Goldenrod, Hawkweed, White Heath Aster, New England Aster, Cutleaf Coneflower, Silverrod, Narrowleaf Sunflower, Jerusalem Artichoke, Curtis’ Aster, Heart-leafed Aster, Mistflower and Golden-aster. Birds Identified: Dark-eyed Junco, Carolina Chickadee, Tufted Titmouse, White-breasted Nuthatch, Pileated Woodpecker, American Crow, Wild Turkey, Osprey. |
 Parking lot at Deep Creek Picnic Area. |
 Leaving the picnic area along Deep Creek. |
 Hitting the trail with Fall colors. |
 We cross Deep Creek on several nice bridges. |
 Wildflower of the Week – Blue Lobelia on the creek bank. |
 Beautiful Tom Branch Falls! |
 Lots of beautiful spots along Deep Creek! |
 This creek runs into Deep Creek. |
 Indian Creek Falls viewed from above. |
 Beautiful Indian Creek Falls. |
 Fungus of the Week! with a visiting slug! |
 Returning to the park across this beautiful bridge! |
 We enjoy our lunch at Bill and Martha’s cabin in nearby Whittier. |
 The OFHC gang for today’s hike! (l-r) Tony Presley, Vic Robson, Phil Brownrigg, Bill Hunt, Greta Driggers, Carole Wintle, June Bellamy, Donna Presley, John Bellamy, Geri Whitaker, Martha Hunt, David Whitaker and Dave Hinson. Not pictured – Lynne Saporito. |