4/9/2013 Appalachian Trail – Gooch Gap – Cooper Gap – GA

HIKERS – Thomas Bowers, Karen Brown, Pam Euliss, Jim Driggers, Bob Magee, Dick Metzgar, Don Preece, Vic Robson, Geri Whitaker and Carole Wintle.

TRAIL INFORMATION – A very nice hike on the A.T. with nice mountain views along the way through this beautiful North Georgia hardwood forest. Pretty mountain creeks along with Gooch Mountain and Justus Mountain providing elevation changes to help keep your heart rate up. We met many north-bound thru hikers headed for Maine. 40+ from many different States.

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 and continue past the A.T. crossing at Woody Gap. Going down the mountain to Suches (you will see the lake on your right) turn left onto Cooper Gap Road which becomes a gravel Forest Service Rd. 42 and continue 2.7 miles to Gooch Gap.

Another great day for a hike! Partly cloudy with temperatures ranging from the low to upper 60’s degrees F. Hiking distance – 9.5 miles.

FLOWERS IN BLOOM: Trout Lily, Round Leaf Yellow Violet, Service Berry, Purple Toadshade Trillium and Bloodroot.

BIRDS IDENTIFIED: CAROLINA WREN, EASTERN TOWHEE, Vireo, DARK EYED JUNCO, WHITED BREASTED NUTHATCH, TUFTED TITMOUSE, CAROLINA CHICKADEE, PILEATED WOODPECKER.

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