September 9, 2014
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This week’s hike was on the Chimney Rock Trail in NC from the dead end of the Tate City Road up to Case Knife Gap near Big Scaly Mt. HIKERS – Phil Brownrigg, Pam Euliss, Trushna Nadig, Jeanne O’Connor, Don Preece, Sandy Robson, Vic Robson, and Carole Wintle. TRAIL INFO. – A beautiful hike beginning on the upper end of the Tallulah River and climbing up and up to Case Knife Gap. Then another half-mile climb up to Big Scaly Mt. if you choose to do it. A very lush green hike with lots of late summer wildflowers and fungi. A strenuous hike due to elevation change. Total hiking distance today – 6.5 miles with a very large elevation gain. Directions: Take Highway 76 West out of Clayton, GA for 8 miles and turn right onto Persimmon Rd. Continue 4 miles and turn left onto Tallulah River Rd. Continue for around 5 miles through Tate City and continue past the NC line for another mile or so until the road comes to a dead end. Park here for the trail-head. Another great day for a hike! Mostly sunny and mild. Temperatures from the upper-60’s to upper 70’s. FLOWERS IN BLOOM: heal-all, woodland phlox, wreath goldenrod, white wood aster, black eyed Susan, white-topped aster, wing stem, grass-leafed golden aster, golden aster, green-headed cone flower, starry campion, hairy hawkweed, Canada violet, whorled coreopsis, white snake root, spotted jewel weed, pale jewel weed, horse balm, crimson bee balm, purple bergamot, mountain mint, hog peanut, blue lobelia, red turtle head, Joe Pye weed (2 types), dodder, cow bane, evening primrose, Southern harebell, cow parsnip BIRDS IDENTIFIED: Pileated Woodpecker, Carolina Wren, Turfted Titmouse, Carolina Chickadee, Turkey Vulture, Wild Turkey, Cardinal View slideshow (click below!) |