February 12, 2013
| Today’s hike was on the Lake Russell Trail and Sourwood Trail in the Lake Russell Recreation Area in Habersham County, GA.
HIKERS – Phil Brownrigg, Chuck Crisp, Dave Hinson, Bill Hunt, Bob Magee, Dick Metzgar, Dave Norton, Mary Lu Norton, Don Preece, Donna Presley, Tony Presley, Vic Robson, Lynne Saporito, Pom Sinnock and Geri Whitaker. TRAIL INFO. – The Lake Russell Loop is a very nice hike around the lake.(4.6 mi) The hike is rolling but mostly flat. The Sourwood Trail is more hilly and is a 2.7 mi. loop that leads up to Nancytown Falls with nice views of Nancytown Creek. The total mileage hiked today was 8 miles including the walk between the two trails. Directions: The Lake Russell Recreation Area is off the Dicks Hill Parkway East of Cornelia, at Mt. Airy, GA near the railroad bridge, turn onto the Lake Russell Recreation Area access road. Drive about 2.5 miles to the parking lot at Nancytown Lake. Another great day for a hike! Partly cloudy and cool. Temperatures ranged from 48 – 58 degrees F. Total distance – 8 mi. FLOWERS IN BLOOM: Speckled Alder, Trout Lily, Common Blue Violet, Ground-cedar and Periwinkle. BIRDS IDENTIFIED: American Crow, Canada Geese, Wood Duck, Mallard, Unknown Hawk, Blue Jay, Cardinal, Red-bellied Woodpecker, White-breasted Nuthatch, Tufted Titmouse, Ovenbird, Pine Warbler and Chipping Sparrow. |
 Today’s trailhead at Nancytown Lake trail parking lot. |
 The trail starts at the back of the parking lot near the dam of Nancytown Lake. |
 The trail travels for a short distance on the park road. |
 Fungus of the week! |
 An absolutely beautiful reflective lake! |
 Looking through a Speckled Alder into the water reflecting the sky and pine trees! |
 The beauty of the forest floor! |
 A great day for a hike along the lakeshore! |
 Lake Russell Dam. |
 Wildflower of the week! We were surprised to find lots of beautiful Trout Lilies! |
 The dam at Nancytown Lake. |
 Next, we walked over to the Sourwood Trail for another nice loop hike. |
 Along the Sourwood Trail, we pass through a nice pine forest. |
 Beautiful Nancytown Creek. |
 The OFHC gang for today’s hike! (l-r)Dave Norton, Mary Lu Norton, Bob Magee, Dick Metzgar, Lynne Saporito, “Angus”, Pom Sinnock, Donna Presley, Geri Whitaker, Phil Brownrigg, Dave Hinson, Don Preece, Vic Robson, Chuck Crisp, Tony Presley and Bill Hunt. |
SEE BELOW FOR VIDEO AND MANY MORE PHOTOS!