4/23/2013 Chattooga River Trail – Sandy Ford Rd. – Southward – GA

HIKERS – John Bellamy, June Bellamy, Greta Driggers, Jim Driggers, Bill Hunt, Bob Magee, Dick Metzgar, Bruce O’Connor, Don Preece, Vic Robson and Geri Whitaker.

TRAIL INFO. – The trail is in good condition. However, the Forest Service has placed several large boulders at the area where we usually park on the north side of the road at the top of the hill east of the ford. You can still park a few cars (between the boulders) there but not as many as we used to. So, we parked further to the east where the Chattooga River trail crosses the road. We hiked from there south to the river.

Directions: Take Warwoman Road 5.9 miles from Clayton, GA, turning right onto Sandy Ford Road and traveling 0.6 mi. down Sandy Ford Road, turning left and crossing a concrete bridge, then procede 3.3 miles further on Sandy Ford Road to a ford of Dick’s Creek, after crossing the ford, continue on Sandy Ford Rd. to the trail crossing.

Another great day for a hike! Sunny and cool with temperatures ranging from 43 TO 65 degrees F.

Distance hiked – 8 miles. Difficulty: Moderate to easy.

FLOWERS IN BLOOM: Catesby’s Trillium, Green and Gold, Pinkster Azalea, Dog Hobble, Star Chickweed, Bluet, Iris Verna, Iris Cristata, Sweet White Violet, Purple Violet, Birdsfoot Violet, Florida Dogwood, Halberd-leafed Violet, Phlox, Foam Flower, Hooked Buttercup, Robin’s Plantain, Cinquefoil, Rue Anemone and Barren strawberry.

BIRDS IDENTIFIED: American Tree Sparrow, White Throated Sparrow, Chipping Sparrow, Pileated Woodpecker, Eastern Phoebe, Tufted Titmouse, American Crow, Robin, Vireo, White-Breasted Nuthatch, Chickadee, Tufted Titmouse, Blue Jay, Pine Warbler, Towhee, Oven Bird and Junco.