July 9, 2013
| This week’s hike was on the Bartram Trail in GA from Kelsey Mt. Road access trail to the summit of Rabun Bald, 4,696 ft elevation. 4 mile hike
HIKERS – Karen Brown, Stephen Gales, Donna Presley, Tony Presley and Geri Whitaker. TRAIL INFO. – The access trail up to the Bartram Trail is in good shape and the trail is a beautiful lush wildflower habitat.This hike is a steady climb with adequate switchbacks to make it a very nice hike up to the old fire tower at the summit of Rabun Bald. Total hiking distance today – 4 miles with lots of elevation gain. We rate the difficulty as moderately strenuous. Take Hwy. 441 N from Clayton, GA through Dillard, GA and turn right onto GA 246 / NC 106 toward Highlands, NC. Drive about 7 miles and turn right at the old Scaly Mtn. Ski Slope (Hale Ridge Rd.). Go approximately 3 miles and look for Kelsey Mountain Road and turn left and drive to the end of the pavement and you will see the access trail on your right. Another great day for a hike! Mostly to partly cloudy and mild . Temperatures ranged from 67 to 75 F. FLOWERS IN BLOOM: Ox-eye Daisy, Tall Bluet, Whorled Loosestrife, Mountain Hydrangea, Saxifrage, Galax, Spotted Wintergreen, Indian Pipes, Spiderwort, Bush Honeysuckle, White Yarrow. BIRDS IDENTIFIED: Black Throated Blue Warbler, Blue Jay, Chickadee, Wood Thrush, Red Eyed Vireo, Broad Winged Hawk, Junco, Towhee and Hooded Warbler |
 The access trail from Kelsey Mt. Rd. |
 Wild Hydrangeas were in full bloom all along the trail. |
 Taking a break at the gap below Rabun Bald. |
 From here the trail climbs steeply to the summit. |
 The old fire tower built in the 1930’s was conveted into a nice observation deck. |
 Bush Honeysuckle at the base of the tower. |
 Lots of blue sky above but low hanging clouds blocked some of the mountain views. |
 At the summit of Rabun Bald, you get very nice 360 degree views! |
 On clear days, you can see mountains more than 100 miles away. |
 The OFHC gang for today’s hike. (l-r) Geri Whitaker, Karen Brown, Stephen Gales, Tony Presley and Donna Presley. |