December 18, 2012
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TRAIL INFO. – The Stoneplace Trail is the longest of the trails at Tallulah Gorge State Park. The 10 mi. round trip takes you from the Jane Hurt Yarn Center to the Stoneplace boat ramp on Tugalo Lake. The terrain is mostly gentle with some hills but the grades are not extreme. The trail is very well marked and you can take the side trail back to the Inspiration Point overlook and back to the parking lot. TODAY’S HIKERS: Karen Brown, Phil Brownrigg, Pam Euliss, Bill Hunt, Bob Magee, Bruce O’Connor, Jeannne O’Connor, Donna Presley, Tony Presley, Vic Robson, Dan Ross, Carole Wintle. Total hiking distance today – 10 miles with gently rolling hills. Difficulty rating – Moderate. DIRECTIONS: Take Highway 441 to Tallulah Falls, GA and turn at the traffic light and go to the Jane Hurt Yarn Visitors Center. Sign in to get your free hiking permit for the day. There is a $5 parking fee unless you have a GA State Parks Pass. Another great day for a hike! Mostly sunny and cool with temperatures ranging from the mid 40’s to the low 50’s F. WILDFLOWERS IN BLOOM: Golden Aster, Birdsfoot Violet and British Soldiers. BIRDS IDENTIFIED: CAROLINA WREN, AMERICAN CROW, CHIC-A-DEE, PINE WARBLER, JUNCO, PILEATED WOODPECKER, CHIPPING SPARROW, NUTHATCH, GRAY GNATCATCHER, & TUFTED TITMOUSE. |
 Our hike started from the parking lot at the Tallulah Gorge State Park Visitors Center. |
 The sign at the trailhead. |
 A beautiful woodland trail! |
 We were surprised to see this Birdsfoot Violet! |
 The trail is very well-marked and even has mile markers! |
 As we hike along the ridge, we start to see Lake Tugalo. |
 This trail shelter is about a mile from the end of the trail at Stoneplace. |
 We arrive at Stoneplace and Tugalo Lake. |
 The boat dock at Stoneplace. |
 Tugalo Lake is restricted to small engines and is the only GA Power Lake that is “thankfully” undeveloped. The lake is Y-shaped with Tallulah Gorge feeding one leg and The Chattooga River feeding the other leg and the hydro-power dam is at the bottom of the Y. |
 On our way back, we decide to take the side loop to Inspiration Point gorge overlook. |
 A breathtaking view into magnificent Tallulah Gorge! |
 Looking deep into the gorge! |
 The OFHC gang for today’s hike! (l-r) Tony Presley, Donna Presley, Dan Ross, Pam Euliss, Phil Brownrigg, Bill Hunt, Karen Brown, Carole Wintle, Vic Robson, Jeanne O’Connor, Bruce O’Connor and Bob Magee. |
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