September 3, 2013
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This week’s hike was on the Chimney Rock Trail in NC from the dead end of the Tate City Road up to the the summit of Big Scaly Mountain (5,200 ft). HIKERS – Wayne Barrios, Karen Brown, Pam Euliss, Dave Hinson, Jeanne O’Connor, Donna Presley, Tony Presley, Vic Robson, Lynne Saporito, Geri Whitaker and Carole Wintle. TRAIL INFO. – A beautiful hike beginning on the upper end of the Tallulah River and climbing up and up to Case Knife Gap. Then another half-mile climb up to Big Scaly Mt. The views are great in the wintertime but the leaves obscure most of the good mountain views during the summer months. Still a nice but strenuous hike. Total hiking distance today – 7.5 miles with a very large elevation gain. Directions: Take Highway 76 West out of Clayton, GA for 8 miles and turn right onto Persimmon Rd. Continue 4 miles and turn left onto Tallulah River Rd. Continue for around 5 miles through Tate City and continue past the NC line for another mile or so until the road comes to a dead end. Park here for the trail-head. Another great day for a hike! Mostly sunny and mild. Temperatures from the mid-60’s to mid 70’s. FLOWERS IN BLOOM: heal-all, woodland phlox, wreath goldenrod, white wood aster, black eyed Susan, white-topped aster, wing stem, grass-leafed golden aster, golden aster, green-headed cone flower, starry campion, hairy hawkweed, Canada violet, whorled coreopsis, white snake root, spotted jewel weed, pale jewel weed, horse balm, crimson bee balm, purple bergamot, mountain mint, hog peanut, blue lobelia, red turtle head, Joe Pye weed (2 types), dodder, cow bane, evening primrose, Southern harebell, cow parsnip BIRDS IDENTIFIED: Pileated Woodpecker, Carolina Wren, Turfted Titmouse, Carolina Chickadee, Turkey Vulture, Wild Turkey, Cardinal |
 The trailhead at the end of the Tate City Rd. |
 The start of the hike toward Case Knife Gap. |
 The trail had a couple of blowdowns to climb over. |
 A good day for wildflowers : Pale Jewelweed. |
 Looking down on the Tallulah River below. |
 This hike is in the Wilderness Area. |
 Cool, noisy and beautiful! |
 Another great day for a hike! |
 Green-headed Coneflowers |
 Turtleheads |
 Fungus of the Week! |
 The OFHC gang for today’s hike. (l-r)Tony Presley, Vic Robson, Carole Wintle, Karen Brown, Jeanne O’Connor, Lynne Saporito & “Angus”, Dave Hinson, Wayne Barrios, Geri Whitaker, Donna Presley and Pam Euliss. |
Click below for video and more photos from this hike!
Click photo below for more pictures from this hike.