January 8, 2013
| Today’s hike started at Courthouse Gap Rd. in Rabun County, GA. We hiked up to the Bartram Trail at Courthouse Gap by the Courthouse Gap Connector Trail. We then turned left toward Rabun Bald and hiked to Windy Gap. The out and back hike was approximately 8 miles.
HIKERS – John Bellamy, June Bellamy, Karen Brown, Phil Brownrigg, Chuck Crisp, Pam Euliss, Bob Magee, Dick Metzgar, Jeanne O’Connor, Donna Presley, Tony Presley, Vic Robson, Dan Ross, Lynne Saporito and Geri Whitaker. TRAIL INFO. – A beautiful wintertime hike on the Bartram Trail in Northeast Georgia. This portion of the Bartram Trail features rolling terrain through beautiful mountains with nice views all along the trail. The mountain views are continuous when this trail is hiked in the wintertime. The Bartram Trail is generally very well maintained. Distance hiked – approximately 8 miles – difficulty – moderately strenuous due to elevation changes. Directions: Take Warwoman road out of Clayton for .8 miles, and you’ll see a sign for Pinnacle Camp. Take a left turn off Warwoman Road onto Pinnacle Dr. Follow that road all the way, 1.1 miles, passing the camp, to Courthouse Gap Road. Take a right, and go .2 miles until you see a gravel road, with parking areas beneath power lines. Park there, and walk up that road about a tenth of a mile to the access trail on the left. Another great day for a hike! Mostly cloudy and cool with temperatures ranging from the low 30’s to the mid 40’s F. FLOWERS IN BLOOM: none BIRDS IDENTIFIED: Tufted Titmouse, Pileated Woodpecker, Crow, Junco, White Breasted Nuthatch. |
 Walking up Courthouse Gap Rd. to the connector trail. |
 We turn left at the marker for the Courthouse Connector Trail. |
 The marker at Courthouse Gap. |
 Headed to Windy Gap! |
 Wintertime offers great mountain views all the way! |
 We pass this old hollow tree. |
 Squirrels love chewing on these aluminum markers! |
 There were a couple of large blowdowns but they were easy to walk around. |
 The rock marker at Windy Gap. |
 Lunchtime at Windy Gap! |
 Dogs gotta eat too! |
 Nap time for old folks! |
 Heading back to Courthouse Gap! |
 The OFHC gang for today’s hike! (l-r)Tony Presley, Donna Presley, Karen Brown, Geri Whitaker, Dick Metzgar, “Angus” trail dog, Lynne Saporito, June Bellamy, John Bellamy, Vic Robson, Chuck Crisp, Bob Magee, Dan Ross, Jeanne O’Connor, Pam Euliss, and Phil Brownrigg . |
SEE BELOW FOR VIDEO AND MANY MORE PHOTOS!