January 14, 2014
| Today’s hike started at Courthouse Gap Rd. in Rabun County, GA. We hiked up to the Bartram Trail at Courthouse Gap by the Courthouse Gap Connector Trail. We then turned left toward Rabun Bald and hiked to Windy Gap. The out and back hike was 8.1 miles.
HIKERS – Phil Brownrigg, Stephen Gales, Dave Hinson, Bob Magee, Dave Norton, Mary Lu Norton, Tony Presley and Carole Wintle. TRAIL INFO. – A beautiful wintertime hike on the Bartram Trail in Northeast Georgia. This portion of the Bartram Trail features rolling terrain through beautiful mountains with nice views all along the trail. The mountain views are continuous when this trail is hiked in the wintertime. The Bartram Trail is generally very well maintained and we encountered only one blowdown . Distance hiked – 8.1 miles – difficulty – moderately strenuous due to elevation changes. Directions: Take Warwoman road out of Clayton for .8 miles, and you’ll see a sign for Pinnacle Camp. Take a left turn off Warwoman Road onto Pinnacle Dr. Follow that road all the way, 1.1 miles, passing the camp, to Courthouse Gap Road. Take a right, and go .2 miles until you see a gravel road, with parking areas beneath power lines. Park there, and walk up that road about a quarter of a mile to the access trail on the left. Another great day for a hike! Mostly sunny and cool with temperatures ranging from the low 40’s to low 50’s F. FLOWERS IN BLOOM: none BIRDS IDENTIFIED: Carolina Chickadee, Carolina Wren, Tufted Titmouse, Dark-eyed Junco and Pileated Woodpecker. |
 Parking at Courthouse Gap Rd. located near the powerlines. |
 First, we walk a quarter mile or so up to the connector trail on the left. |
 The entrance of the connector trail. |
 Trail junction of the Bartram Trail at Courthouse Gap. |
 Sign at Courthouse Gap. |
 An interesting pine knot! |
 We turn to the left and head toward Windy Gap. |
 We encounter a large blowdown about a mile from the parking lot. |
 The beauty of rocks and moss! |
 Squirrels are attracted to aluminum! |
 Our lunchtime destination a little more than 4 miles out. |
 Lunchtime at Windy Gap! |
 Nice mountain views as we head back to Courthouse Gap. |
 The OFHC gang for today’s hike! (l-r)Phil Brownrigg, Dave Norton, Mary Lu Norton, Bob Magee, Dave Hinson, Stephen Gales, Carole Wintle and Tony Presley. |
SEE BELOW FOR VIDEO AND MANY MORE PHOTOS!