January 29, 2013
| Today’s hike was on the Appalachian Trail from Woody Gap to Gooch Gap and back.
HIKERS – John Bellamy, June Bellamy, Karen Brown, Phil Brownrigg, Dave Hinson, Bill Hunt, Bob Magee, Dick Metzgar, Dave Norton, Mary Lu Norton, Jeanne O’Connor, Donna Presley, Tony Presley, Vic Robson, Lynne Saporito, Pom Sinnock, Geri Whitaker and Carole Wintle. TRAIL INFO. – This is a very nice portion of the Appalachian Trail in Norh Georgia. There are multiple awesome mountain views along the way. There are several climbs but not too extreme. Even on a foggy day like today, the trail still has great beauty. Distance hiked – approximately 7 miles – difficulty – Moderate difficulty due to several climbs but also some flat stretches. Directions: Directions: Take Hwy. 129 N from Cleveland, GA for about 15 mi. then turn left at Turner’s Corner and travel several miles to Hwy 60 (rock pile) turn right and drive to the top of the mountain to the A.T. crossing at Woody Gap. Park on the left and hike southward. Another great day for a hike! Cloudy with heavy fog and misty rain. Temperatures in the low to mid 50’s F. FLOWERS IN BLOOM: none BIRDS IDENTIFIED: Pileated Woodpecker, Pine Warbler, White-breasted Nuthatch and Carolina Chickadee |
 Our starting point for today’s hike. |
 Hitting the trail on a foggy, misty morning. |
 Trail sign near Woody Gap. |
 Walking through a hardwood forest on a foggy day has a special kind of beauty! |
 A recent tree fall left a nice passage way! |
 This is normally a magnificent mountain vista. |
 We have reached our lunchtime destination! |
 We met A.T. thru-hiker “Mad Squirrel” from Kalamazoo, Michigan |
 Lunchtime at Gooch Gap! |
 Word to the wise! |
 Fungus of the week! |
 Takiing a short break on the way back to Woody Gap. |
 Another great day for a hike on the A.T. ! |
 The OFHC gang for today’s hike! (l-r)Bill Hunt, Donna Presley, Phil Brownrigg, Geri Whitaker, Mary Lu Norton, Lynne Saporito & dog “Angus”, Dave Norton, Jeanne O’Connor, Dave Hinson, John Bellamy, June Bellamy, Karen Brown, Vic Robson, Dick Metzgar, Bob Magee, Pom Sinnock, Carole Wintle, and Tony Presley. |
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