November 19, 2013
| TRAIL INFO. – The Stoneplace Trail is the longest of the trails at Tallulah Gorge State Park. The 10 mi. round trip takes you from the Jane Hurt Yarn Center to the Stoneplace boat ramp on Tugalo Lake. The terrain is mostly gentle with some hills but the grades are not extreme. The trail is very well marked and you can take the side trail back to the Inspiration Point overlook and back to the parking lot.
TODAY’S HIKERS: Karen Brown, Phil Brownrigg, Greta Driggers, Jim Driggers, Stephen Gales, Dave Hinson, Bob Magee and Jeannne O’Connor. Total hiking distance today – 10 miles with gently rolling hills. Difficulty rating – Moderate. DIRECTIONS: Take Highway 441 to Tallulah Falls, GA and turn at the traffic light and go to the Jane Hurt Yarn Visitors Center. Sign in to get your free hiking permit for the day. There is a $5 parking fee unless you have a GA State Parks Pass. Another great day for a hike! Mostly sunny and cool with temperatures ranging from the mid 40’s to the mid 50’s F. WILDFLOWERS IN BLOOM: Grassleaf Yellow Asters, Late Purple Aster. BIRDS IDENTIFIED: Dark-eyed Juncos, Golden-crowned Kinglets, Ruby-crowned Kinglets and Turkey Vultures.
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 Information sign at the trailhead. |
 Most of this trail follows an old roadbed. |
 Ther are still some colorful spots! |
 Another great day for a hike! |
 Important Bear information. |
 Tugalo Lake starts to become visible along the trail. |
 We arrive at Stoneplace Boat Ramp on Tugalo Lake. |
 Welcome sign |
 We had lunch at the trail shelter. |
 On the way back, we took the side trail back past Inspiration Point. |
 Breathtaking view down into the gorge and Oceana Falls! |
 The old support tower from Karl Walenda’s tight rope walk across the gorge in 1970. |
 The OFHC gang for today’s hike. (l-r) “Angus – trail dog”, Jeanne O’Connor, Jim Driggers, Greta Driggers, Karen Brown, Dave Hinson, Phil Brownrigg, Bob Magee and Stephen Gales.. |