7/15/2014 High Shoals Trail and Unicoi State Park Trails, GA

HIKERS – Geri Barrios, Wayne Barrios, Phil Brownrigg, Greta Driggers, Jim Driggers, Tim Hale, Bill Hunt, Kim Johnson, Bob Magee, Sandy Robson, Vic Robson and Carole Wintle.

TRAIL INFO. – The High Shoals Trail is located on Indian Grave Gap Road near Tray Mountain. A beautiful 2.4 mile round trip hike that features two beautiful waterfalls. The Unicoi State Park Trails offer several hiking options in the park including nice mountain streams.

Total hiking distance today – Approximately 8.5 miles with only moderate difficulty level.

Directions: For the High Shoals Trail, take GA 75 north from Helen, GA for 11.4 miles (this takes you past Unicoi Gap) continue down the mountain. Before getting to the bottom of the mountain, turn right onto Indian Grave Gap Road (High Shoals Area sign), graveled Forest Service Road 283. Follow this road 1.1 miles to a small parking lot on the left with sign for High Shoals Trail. For Unicoi State Park, take Highway 75 northward from Helen for approximately 1 mile and turn right onto GA-356 E. follow for 1.7 miles to the park.

Another great day for a hike! Partly Cloudy and warm with temperatures ranging from 72 to 81 degrees F.

WILDFLOWERS: Phlox, Coreopsis, Rosebay Rhododendron, Joe Pye Weed, Jewelweed.

BIRDS IDENTIFIED: Chestnut-sided Warbler, Crow, Blue Jay, Goldfinch.