December 31, 2013
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TRAIL INFO. – This hike to the summit of Currahee Mt. is on a dirt/gravel road that is in excellent shape for hiking or running. This is the exact road that the paratroopers trained on to become qualified to serve in the U.S. Army’s newest division “The Airborne” in the early 1940’s. The soldiers were put through very rigorous training that included the famous “Three Miles Up – Three Miles Down” from Camp Toccoa to the summit and back. TODAY’S HIKERS: Wayne Barios, John Bellamy, June Bellamy, Phil Brownrigg, Stephen Gales, Wanda Miller, Wayne Miller, Tony Presley and Geri Whitaker. Total hiking distance today – 6 miles with large elevation change. Difficulty rating – Moderate. DIRECTIONS: From the north headed toward Toccoa on Highway 17 (4-lane), you will be coming down a mountain and at the bottom, turn right at the 1st traffic light (Jeanette Jameson Intersection) travel 2.3 miles to Robert Sink Rd. on the left (the gravel road just before the entrance rd. to Patterson Pump, inc. If you are coming from Toccoa, take Highway 123 (Currahee St) West about 4 miles and continue straight at the Jeanette Jameson intersection (Shell station) Drive 2.3 miles to Robert Sink Rd. on the left just before Patterson Pump, Inc. Another great day for a hike! Mostly cloudy and cool with temperatures ranging from 40 to 50 degrees F. WILDFLOWERS IN BLOOM: None BIRDS IDENTIFIED: PILEATED WOODPECKER, TUFTED TITMOUSE, AMERICAN CROW, TURKEY VULTURE AND CAROLINA WREN. SCROLL DOWN FOR PHOTOS FROM TODAY’S HIKE! |
 The trailhead at Col. Sink Road. |
 Headed to the summit of Currahee. The road is in excellent shape. |
 This is the only remaining building from the 1940’s Camp Toccoa. |
 Early into the hike, we see Currahee in the distance. |
 Another great day for a hike! |
 Nearing the summit we see the graffitti covered boulders. |
 Lots of nice views of Northeast GA mountains. |
 The first lookoff to the north and east. |
 We see Rabun Bald to the north. |
 From the south rock face we see a mostly flat horizon. Currahee is the last mountain on the chain. |
 “Nugget” gives a hand shake. |
 We enjoy the “three miles down”! |
 Col. Sink Memorial sign at the start. |
 The OFHC gang for today’s hike. (l-r) Wanda Miller, Wayne Miller, Wayne Barios, Geri Whitaker, “Nugget”, Stephen Gales, Phil Brownrigg, June Bellamy, John Bellamy and Tony Presley. |
SEE VIDEO FROM TODAY’S HIKE BELOW!
Click HERE for lots of historical information about the Camp Toccoa Paratrooper training site.