March 4, 2014
| Today’s hike was on the Appalachian Trail from Gooch Gap to Cooper Gap, GA and back. 9+ miles
HIKERS – Phil Brownrigg, Pam Euliss, Stephen Gales, Bill Hunt, Bob Magee, Dick Metzgar, Dave Norton, Mary Lu Norton, Jeanne O’Connor, Tony Presley, Vic Robson, Pom Sinnock and Carole Wintle. TRAIL INFO. – This section of the A.T. is beautiful with nice mountain views, creeks and today we had a winter wonderland of sparkling rime ice in the trees. The terrain is moderately hilly as typical of the Georgia portion of the Appalachian Trail.We met lots of thru-hikers today on their 2,000 plus mile journey to Mt. Katahdin Maine. We remember the following states represented today : OH, IL, NY, MO, MA, NH, GA, FL, TN, and the country of South Korea! among others. Directions: Take Hwy. 129 N from Cleveland, GA for about 15 mi. then turn left at Turner’s Corner and travel several miles to Hwy 60 (rock pile) turn right and drive past the top of the mountain and the A.T. crossing continuiing to the bottom where you will see the lake. Turn left onto Cooper Gap Road which becomes a gravel Forest Service Rd. 42 and continue 2.7 miles to Gooch Gap. Another great day for a hike! Cloudy to partly cloudy with early dense fog and beautiful rime ice in all the trees and shrubs. Temperatures ranging from 29 F to 38 degrees F. Total distance – 9+ mi. FLOWERS IN BLOOM: None BIRDS IDENTIFIED: TUFTED TITMOUSE, CROW, CAROLINA WREN, PILEATED WOODPECKER, JUNCO AND CARDINAL. |
 Today’s trailhead at Gooch Gap. |
 Trail sign near the start as we head south. |
 We were treated to a beautiful display of sparkling rime ice all along the trail. |
 We met a large number of thru-hikers headed for Maine! |
 Beautiful! |
 It is still wintertime! |
 More thru-hikers! |
 Amazing! |
 Pine needles. |
 Lunchtime overlooking Cooper Gap! |
 View from our lunch spot! |
 A nice thru-hiker (trail name “Illinois”) joined us for lunch. |
 Another GREAT day for a hike! |
 The OFHC gang for today’s hike. (l-r) Mary Lu Norton, Phil Brownrigg, Pam Euliss, Dick Metzgar, Pom Sinnock, Stephen Gales, Dave Norton, Bob Magee, Jeanne O’Connor, Bill Hunt, Vic Robson, Carole Wintle and Tony Presley. |
See video from today’s hike below!