February 18, 2014
| Today’s hike was on the Little Tennessee River Greenway Trail in Franklin, NC.
HIKERS – Wayne Barrios, John Bellamy, June Bellamy, Phil Brownrigg, Pam Euliss, Stephen Gales, Tim Hale, Dave Hinson, Bill Hunt, Bob Magee, Dave Norton, Mary Lu Norton, Jeanne O’Connor, Don Preece, Tony Presley, Vic Robson, Pom Sinnock and Geri Whitaker. TRAIL INFO. – This trail is a very pleasant walk along the Little Tennessee River in Franklin, NC. It is mostly asphalt with very nice features along the way. Benches, picnic tables, parks, great signage, very nice bridges that take you back and forth across the river. The terrain is mostly flat. From end to end it is 4 miles. We hiked the entire length from south to north and back for an 8.3 mile total including the access trail at the Macon County Public Library. Directions: From the south in GA take highway 441 to Franklin, NC. Turn to the right just before the Highway 64 intersection onto Siler Rd. Continue along Siler and follow the signs to the Public Library. You will then walk down a gravel road to the Greenway Trail access. Another great day for a hike! Mostly fair after morning fog. Temperatures in the mid 30’s F rapidly warming into the mid 50’s. Total distance – 8.3 mi. FLOWERS IN BLOOM: Bird’s-eye Speedwell and Peppergrass. BIRDS IDENTIFIED: American Crow, Fish Crow, Turkey Vulture, Red-shouldered Hawk, Red-tailed Hawk, Common Merganser, Wood Duck, Canada Geese, Blue Jay, Starling, Rock Pigeon, Mourning Dove, Pileated Woodpecker, Downy Woodpecker, Red-bellied Woodpecker, Belted Kingfisher, Robin, Eastern Bluebird, Mockingbird, Eastern Towhee, Song Sparrow, Carolina Wren, Cardinal, Hermit Thrush and Carolina Chickadee. |
 Parking at the Macon County Public Library – fog early. |
 Early into the hike the fog is lifting! |
 On this hike, you are constantly alongside the Little Tennessee River. |
 Very nice signs along the Greenway! |
 The trail crosses over the river several times on very nice bridges. |
 Crossing Nonah Bridge. |
 Beautiful blue sky reflection! |
 Another great day for a hike! |
 The Greenway is a bird watchers paradise! Here we spot a Red Shouldered Hawk. |
 This is Tassee Bridge. |
 Nickajack Bridge was relocated here from the Cullasaja community. |
 A short portion of the trail is dirt/gravel. |
 After turning around at the end of the trail at Suli Marsh, we head back to the start! |
 The OFHC gang for today’s hike. (l-r)Pam Euliss, Jeanne O’Connor, , Mary Lu Norton, Dave Norton, Bill Hunt, Vic Robson, Stephen Gales, Pom Sinnock, Bob Magee, June Bellamy, John Bellamy, Tim Hale, Wayne Barrios, Dave Hinson, Geri Whitaker, Don Preece, Phil Brownrigg and Tony Presley. |
See video from today’s hike below!