July 16, 2013
| This week’s hike was on the High Shoals Trail and the Unicoi State Park Trails near Helen, GA. We hiked to Blue Hole Falls and High Shoals Falls first, followed by a hike at Unicoi State Park.
HIKERS – John Bellamy, June Bellamy, Karen Brown, Kaytlyn Brown, Phil Brownrigg, Pam Euliss, Mike Jones, Dick Metzgar and Jeanne O’Connor. TRAIL INFO. – The High Shoals Trail is located on Indian Grave Gap Road near Tray Mountain. A beautiful 2.4 mile round trip hike that features two beautiful waterfalls. The Unicoi State Park Trails offer several hiking options in the park including nice mountain streams. Total hiking distance today – Approximately 8.4 miles with only moderate difficulty level. Directions: For the High Shoals Trail, take GA 75 north from Helen, GA for 11.4 miles (this takes you past Unicoi Gap). Turn right onto Indian Grave Gap Road (High Shoals Area sign), graveled Forest Service Road 283. Follow this road 1.1 miles to a small parking lot on the left with sign for High Shoals Trail. For Unicoi State Park, take Highway 75 northward from Helen for approximately 1 mile and turn right onto GA-356 E. follow for 1.7 miles to the park. Another great day for a hike! Partly Cloudy and humid with temperatures ranging from 72 to 82 degrees F. |
 The starting point for today’s hike. |
 Headed for Blue Hole Falls and High Shoals Falls! |
 Blue Hole Falls! |
 Fungus of the week! |
 Beautiful High Shoals Falls! |
 Next, we move down to nearby Unicoi State Park for a couple of other trails. |
 Another great day for a hike! |
 A pleasant refreshing mountain stream on a hot July day. |
 A couple of nice trout! |
 The OFHC gang for today’s hike – (l-r) Kaytlyn Brown, Karen Brown, Pam Euliss, Mike Jones, “Barney”, Jeanne O’Connor, Dick Metzgar, Phil Brownrigg, June Bellamy and John Bellamy. |