June 24, 2014
| This week’s hike was on the Raven Cliffs Trail Helen, GA to Raven Cliffs Falls and back. Total hike today 5 miles.
HIKERS: Geri Barrios, Wayne Barrios, Phil Brownrigg, Greta Driggers, Jim Driggers, Stephen Gales, Kathy Hall, Bill Hunt, Don Preece, Suzanne Reid, Paul Reid, Sandy Robson and Vic Robson. TRAIL INFO. – A very nice walk along Dodd Creek to the massive rock cliffs at Raven Cliffs Falls. Lots of flat walking and nice views of several small waterfalls before arriving at Raven Cliffs. Total hiking distance today – 5 mi. with lots of flat walking with only a couple of moderate hills. We rate it moderately easy. Directions: Take GA 75 north from Helen for 1.5 miles. Turn left onto GA 356 (75 Alternate) and travel 2.3 miles to the Richard B. Russell Scenic Highway. Turn right and travel 2.8 miles to the trailhead and parking area on the left. The Dukes Creek Falls parking area is about a mile before Raven Cliffs on the left. Another great day for a hike! Mostly cloudy and warm with high humidity with temperatures ranging from 72 to 80 degrees F. WILDFLOWERS IN BLOOM: Spiderwort, Whorled Loosestrife, Mt. Hydrangea, Oxeye Daisy, Rosebay Rhododendron, Indian Pipe, Yarrow, Large Bluet, Fire Pink, Heal All, Queen Anne’s Lace, Flowering Spurge, Black-eyed Susan. BIRDS IDENTIFIED: YELLOW WARBLER, CHESTNUT SIDED WARBLER, VERIO, EASTERN MEADOWLARK |
 Our trailhead just off of the Richard Russell Scenic Highway. |
 Getting ready at the parking area! |
 One of many small waterfalls on the way to Raven Cliffs. |
 Indian Pipes (a non-chlorophyl plant) |
 Approaching the massive rock cliffs. |
 Rosebay Rhododendron |
 Raven Cliffs Falls |
 Mushroom of the week! |
 Another nice little waterfall. |
 A nice meadow of summertime color! |
 Typical view all along the trail. |
 Another great day for a hike! |
 The OFHC gang for today’s hike. (l-r) Paul Reid, Stephen Gales, Suzanne Reid, Kathy Hall, Sandy Robson, Don Preece, Wayne Barrios, Geri Barrios, Vic Robson, Greta Driggers, Jim Driggers, Bill Hunt and Phil Brownrigg. |