May 6, 2014
| Today’s hike was a loop hike to Blood Mountain starting out at Lake Winfield Scott on the Slaughter Creek Trail up to the A.T. then on up to Blood Mountain for lunch then back down to the Slaughter Creek intersection then down the A.T. to Jarrard Gap then down the Jarrard Gap Trail to Lake Winfield Scott.
On our way to Lake Winfield Scott, we stopped by Sosebee Cove for a short hike on the best wildflower trail in Georgia. HIKERS – Geri Barrios, Wayne Barrios, John Bellamy, June Bellamy, Karen Brown, Chuck Crisp, Pam Euliss, Stephen Gales, Greta Driggers, Jim Driggers, David Hinson, Bob Magee, Dick Metzgar, Tony Presley, Carole Wintle and Jack Wintle. TRAIL INFORMATION – The trailhead today was near the dam at Lake Winfield Scott. The hike up to Blood Mountain is uphill most of the way to the Blood Mountain shelter at the summit. This is the highest point on the Appalachian Trail in GA. The trail is in good shape and features lots of very good wildflower habitat and very nice mountain views. We rate the hike moderately strenuous due to elevation gain up to the summit of Blood Mt. Directions: From Cleveland, GA, travel North on Highway 129 for 21.3 miles and turn left just past Vogel State Park onto Highway 180. Continue on Highway 180 (Wolf Pen Gap Rd) for 6.7 miles and turn left at Lake Winfield Scott Rd to the parking lot. ($5 per car parking fee – seniors $2.50) Another great day for a hike! Sunny and mild with temperatures ranging from 60 to 74 degrees F. Hiking distance – 8.7 miles. WILDFLOWERS IN BLOOM: Large-flowered Trillium Stinking Benjamin, Southern Nodding Trillium, Sweet White Trillium, Yellow Trillium, Lanceleaf Trillium, Sessile Trillium, Yellow Mandarin, Blue Cohosh, Umbrella Leaf, Showy Orchis, Bluets, Golden Alexanders, Canada Violet, Blue Violet, Halberd leaf Yellow Violet, Toothwort, Meadow Rue, Wood Rue, Flame Azalea, Fraser Magnolia, Serviceberry , Tulip Poplar, Flowering Dogwood , Wood Betony, Giant Chickweed, Foam Flower, Wood Geranium , Vernal Iris, Crested Iris, BIRDS IDENTIFIED: Wood-Peewee, Black-throated Green Warbler, Black-throated Blue Warbler, Ovenbird, Chestnut-sided Warbler, Black-and-white Warbler, Dark-eyed Junco, Pileated Woodpecker, Red-bellied Woodpecker , Red-eyed Vireo , Blue-headed Vireo, Carolina Wren , Tufted Titmouse, Carolina Chickadee, Red-shouldered Hawk, Turkey Vulture . |
 Lake Winfield Scott. |
 Our trailhead for the day. |
 Footbridge across Slaughter Creek. |
 Another great day for a hike! |
 The junction of the Slaughter Creek Trail and the A.T. |
 The trail climbs up to the summit of Blood Mountain. |
 The historic Blood Mountain Shelter built by the CCC’s in the 1930’s. |
 Lunchtime on the huge boulders at the summit! |
 Great views! |
 We passed by many areas that were covered in Large-flowered Trillium. |
 We arrive at Jarrard Gap. |
 We head down the Jarrard Gap Trail to our starting point at Lake Winfield Scott. |
 Amazing wildflower show all day!Top left then clockwise: White Erect Trillium, Wild Geranium, Large-flowered Trillium and Toothwort. |
 Showy Orchis, Umbrella Leaf, Canada Violet and Foamflower. |
 The OFHC gang for today’s hike. (l-r back standing) Greta Driggers, Dick Metzgar, Carole Wintle, Jack Wintle, Jim Driggers, Pam Euliss, David Hinson, Tony Presley and Stephen Gales.(middle seated) John Bellamy, June Bellamy, Geri Barrios, Wayne Barrios, Karen Brown and Chuck Crisp. (front) Bob Magee and Suzanne Wilson & “Angus”. |