April 1, 2014
| Today’s hike was on the Appalachian Trail hiking from Winding Stair Gap to the Rock Gap Shelter in NC near Franklin.
HIKERS – Wayne Barrios, Karen Brown, Phil Brownrigg, Grayson Davis, Pam Euliss, Stephen Gales, Tim Hale, Bill Hunt, Mike Jones, Bob Magee, Jeanne O’Connor, Tony Presley, Vic Robson, Pom Sinnock, Geri Whitaker, Carole Wintle and Jack Wintle . TRAIL INFORMATION – A beautiful section of the A.T. in NC mountains. The trail is in great shape and when hiked out and back it has a couple of long uphill climbs and a nice long flat section in the middle. Once again we met lots of thru-hikers from all around the US and one Australian from Tasmania. We rate the hike strenuous due to elevation changes but some very pleasant ridge walking for a nice long stretch in the middle. Directions: From Franklin, NC, take Highway 64 West for about 10 miles and look for the parking lot on the left. (It is just beyond the large rock cliffs on each side of the road) You will see the Appalachian Trail sign. Another great day for a hike! Mostly sunny and cool with temperatures ranging from 40 to 68 degrees F. Hiking distance – 7.7 miles. WILDFLOWERS IN BLOOM: Halberd leaved violet. BIRDS IDENTIFIED: PILEATED WOODPECKER, PINE WARBLER, EASTERN PHOEBE |
 Trail-head for the day – Winding Stair Gap. |
 Headed southward toward Rock Gap. |
 Great views of the NC mountains! |
 More than 20 thru-hikers on the way to Maine. This couple decided to thru-hike for their honeymoon! |
 Still smiling after 108 miles! |
 Only a couple of thousand miles to go! |
 We met hikers from Washington state, Pensylvania, Rhode Island, Kentucky, Maine, as well as Australia (Tasmania)! |
 Here, we are crossing Old Hwy. 64 at Standing Indian Campground Rd. |
 We are only a little over a half-mile from Rock Gap. |
 We arrive at our lunchtime destination! Rock Gap Shelter. |
 Lunchtime at the shelter. Our trail dogs today are “Tate” and “Barney”. |
 Trail info. at Rock Gap. |
 Another great day for a hike! |
 The OFHC gang for today’s hike. (l-r) Tony Presley, Bill Hunt, Vic Robson, Karen Brown, Pam Euliss, Grayson Davis, Jeanne O’Connor, Pom Sinnock, Stephen Gales, Geri Whitaker, Tim Hale, Wayne Barrios, Bob Magee, Carole Wintle, Jack Wintle, Phil Brownrigg, Trail Dogs “Tate” and “Barney”, and Mike Jones. |