July 23, 2013
| This week’s hike was on the Appalachian Trail in NC from Deep Gap to the Summit of Standing Indian Mountain (5,498 ft).
HIKERS – John Bellamy, June Bellamy, Phil Brownrigg, Stephen Gales, Bill Hunt, Bob Magee, Donna Presley, Tony Presley, Vic Robson, Pom Sinnock and Carole Wintle. TRAIL INFO. – This portion of the A.T. is nice for a summertime hike. Only 5.25 miles round trip and the air is always a bit cooler here along with great views at the summit of Standing Indian. It is a persistent uphill climb to the summit. The actual summit is on a short side trail to the right around 2.5 miles from Deep Gap. Near the same point, you will also see a side trail to the left (Lower Ridge Trail) that leads down to Standing Indian Campground. Total hiking distance today – 5.25 miles with a large elevation gain. Directions: From Franklin, NC, go West on US64 14 miles (from the overpass where US23 turns South toward Atlanta) to FS71 Deep Gap Rd. It is the first road to the left past the County Line sign (Clay County). Drive approximately 5.8 miles on this gravel road (FS 71) to the end of the road – Deep Gap parking lot. Another great day for a hike! Partly Cloudy with very pleasant temperatures from 65 to 70 degrees F. FLOWERS IN BLOOM: False Foxglove (Gerardia), Rosebay Rhododendron, Tall Bluet, Indian Pipes, Turk’s Cap Lily, Whorled Loosestrife, Bush Honeysuckle, Red Bee Balm, White Bergamot, Phlox, Black-eyed Susan, Evening Primrose, Purple Raspberry, Peruvian Daisy, Black Cohosh, Fire Pink, Heal-all, Coreopsis and Daisy Fleabane. BIRDS IDENTIFIED: Crow, Red-Eyed Vireo, Nuthatch, Pine Warbler, Junco, Towhee. |
 Parking at Deep Gap on F.S. Rd. 71 |
 Trail marker at Deep Gap |
 Headed for the summit of Standing Indian Mountain. |
 Rosebay Rhododendron |
 Mushroom of the week! |
 Indian Pipes were plentiful. |
 View from Standing Indian (5,498 ft)! |
 Great views! |
 Downy Phlox |
 Another great day for a hike! |
 Sign for the Standing Indian Shelter. |
 Lunchtime at the shelter! |
 A great day for mushrooms! |
 The OFHC gang for today’s hike! (l-r) Stephen Gales, Phil Brownrigg, Bob Magee, June Bellamy, John Bellamy, Tony Presley, Donna Presley, Carole Wintle, Vic Robson, Pom Sinnock and Bill Hunt. |