October 16, 2012
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TRAIL INFO. – We traveled to Highlands, NC today and hiked two beautiful trails with breathtaking views and Fall colors. HIKERS: John Bellamy, June Bellamy, Karen Brown, Phil Brownrigg, Chuck Crisp, Pam Euliss, Greta Driggers, Jim Driggers, Bill Hunt, Dick Metzgar, Don Preece, Donna Presley, Tony Presley, Vic Robson, Pom Sinnock, David Whitaker and Geri Whitaker. Total hiking distance today – About 6 miles with considerable elevation change. We rate the over-all hike difficulty as moderate. Directions: For Whiteside Mt. From the Dillard Highway 106 drive to the intersection of Highway 64 in downtown Highlands, turn right and continue thru town to the traffic light where 64 turns left toward Cashiers. Travel toward Cashiers on US 64 for 5.5 miles to the Whiteside Mountain Road sign turn right on paved road NC 1600 and go .6 mile and turn left into the parking lot. The Chinquapin Mountain Trail starts at the Glenn Falls parking lot located off of Highway 106 (the Dillard Highway) about 3 miles south of Highlands, NC. Look for the sign to Glen Falls. Another great day for a hike! Fair and cool with temperatures ranging from 44 degrees to the low 60’s F. WILDFLOWERS IN BLOOM: Mountain Gentian, White Wood Aster, Downy Aster, Coreopsis, Goldenrod, Hawkweed, White Heath Aster, Silverrod, Narrowleaf Sunflower, Ladies Thumb and Witch Hazel. Birds Identified: Dark-eyed Junco, Carolina Chickadee, White-breasted Nuthatch, Pileated Woodpecker, American Crow and Goldfinch. |
 Our first hike today at Whiteside Mt. |
 Awesome early morning views. |
 Mountain views all along the cliffs of Whiteside Mt. |
 Several nice viewing areas with railings. |
 You can’t beat the NC mountains in October! |
 Massive rock cliffs! |
 Breathtaking! |
 The Devil’s Courthouse viewed from an unmarked side trail! |
 Now we move across town to the Chinquapin Mountain Trail. |
 Trail junction on the way to Chinquapin Mt. |
 Lunchtime on the trail! |
 We enjoy the colorful lookoffs along the rim of Chinquapin! |
 Yes! |
 The OFHC gang for today’s hike! (l-r front) Donna Presley, David Whitaker, Geri Whitaker, Pam Eulis and Tony Presley. (l-r back)Chuck Crisp, Phil Brownrigg, Jim Driggers, Greta Driggers, Pom Sinnock, Karen Brown, Vic Robson, Bill Hunt, Don Preece, June Bellamy, John Bellamy and Dick Metzgar . |