5/27/2014 Bartram Trail – Osage Vista – Scaly Mountain, NC

HIKERS – John Bellamy, June Bellamy, Geri Barrios, Wayne Barrios, Stephen Gales, Bill Hunt, Jack Jacobi, Mike Jones, Bob Magee, Dick Metzgar, Jeanne O’Connor, Don Preece, Tony Presley and Carole Wintle.

TRAIL INFORMATION – A beautiful section of the Bartram Trail near the GA border in NC. Starting at the Osage Overlook on the Highlands Highway, the trail climbs up to the beautiful summit of Scaly Mountain. We also took the side trail out to Hickory Knut Rd Total hike 5.7 miles.

We rate the hike mostly strenuous due to a large elevation gain up to the summit of Scaly.

Directions: Osage Mt. Vista is 5.7 miles west of Highlands on NC Hwy. 106. Or from Dillard, GA turn right on GA 246 which becomes NC 106 and drive approx. 9 miles to Osage Overlook on the right.

Another great day for a hike! Sunny to partly cloudy and mild with temperatures ranging from 64 to 78 degrees F. Hiking distance – 5.7 miles.

WILDFLOWERS IN BLOOM:
Large Bluet, Mountain Bluet, Cow Wheat, Clintonia, Perfoliate Bellwort, , Golden Alexanders, Blue Violet, Saxifrage, Common Cinquefoil, Wild Strawberry, Jack-in-the-Pulpit, Robin’s Plantain, Catesby’s Trillium, Blackberry, Flame Azalea, Mt. Laurel, Catawba Rhododendron, Mapleleaf Viburnum, Squawroot, Yellow Stargrass, False Solomon’s Seal, Solomon’s Seal, Wild Geranium and Rattlesnake Weed.

BIRDS IDENTIFIED: Dark Eyed Junco, Eastern Towhee, Chestnut Sided Warbler, Rose Breasted Grosbeak, Black & White Warbler, Black Throated Blue Warbler, Chipping Sparrow, Pine Warbler, Wood Thrush, Northern Cardinal and Crow.