December 4, 2012
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TRAIL INFO. – This portion of the Chattooga River Trail starts at the trail parking facility on the SC side of the Highway 76 bridge. The trail starts down a staircase to the bridge sidewalk over the river to the start of the trail on the GA side. As you hike along the trail, it gradually veers away from the river for several miles before returning to the riverside. The trail is well maintained and includes rolling hills as well as flat portions. TODAY’S HIKERS: Karen Brown, Phil Brownrigg, Pam Euliss, Bill Hunt, Greta Driggers, Jim Driggers, Dick Metzgar, Lynne Porter-Whitmire, Rick Porter-Whitmire, Donna Presley, Tony Presley, Vic Robson, Dan Ross, Lynne Saporito, Pom Sinnock and Carole Wintle. Total hiking distance today – 9 miles with a mixture of rolling hills and flat sections. with Difficulty rating – Moderate. DIRECTIONS: Take highway 76 east out of Clayton, GA and continue 7.2 miles to the Highway 76 Bridge at the river. Cross the bridge and park at the trail facility on the left. Another great day for a hike! Mostly sunny and cool with temperatures ranging from the upper 50’s to the mid 60’s F. WILDFLOWERS IN BLOOM: None BIRDS IDENTIFIED: Black-capped Chickadee, Pileated Woodpecker, Red-bellied Woodpecker, White-Breasted Nuthatch, American Crow, Chipping Sparrow, Brown Thrasher, Carolina Wren, and Junco. |
 Sign at the parking lot. |
 Staircase leading down to the 76 Bridge. |
 Walking across the bridge to the GA side. |
 Looking up the river from the bridge. |
 The river was much lower than normal due to an extended dry spell. |
 Carved rock boulder at the start of the trail on the GA side. |
 We saw signs of recent trail maintenance as this large tree was cleared from the trail. |
 A beautiful spot on this mountain creek! |
 Walking where we normally cannot, due to the drought. |
 Lunchtime along the river! |
 Inspecting the low water level. |
 The “Wild and Scenic Chattooga River! |
 Another great day for a hike! |
 The OFHC gang for today’s hike! (l-r kneeling) Lynne Porter-Whitmire & “Frisco”, Rick Porter-Whitmire & “Honey”, Vic Robson, Lynne Saporito & “Angus” and Tony Presley. (l-r standing) Pam Euliss, Bill Hunt, Bob Magee, Dan Ross, Karen Brown, Carole Wintle, Donna Presley, Pom Sinnock, Dick Metzgar, Greta Driggers, Jim Driggers and Phil Brownrigg. |
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