9/23/2014 Rainey Mountain – Bartram Trail – GA

Today’s hike was on the Bartram Trail in Georgia from Warwoman Dell to a point a couple of miles beyond Big Rock.

HIKERS: Geri Barrios, Wayne Barrios, Tim Hale, Dick Metzgar, Don Preece, Tony Presley, Pom Sinnock and Carole Wintle .

TRAIL INFO. – A very nice portion of the well-maintained Bartram Trail starting at Warwoman Dell along with a challenging side trail down to Big Rock which overlooks Camp Rainey Mountain and great mountain views. Total hiking distance today – 7 miles.

DIRECTIONS: Take Highway 884 East from Clayton, GA for 5 miles or so on Warwoman Road and look for the Warwoman Dell sign on the right and turn right and drive to the end of the dirt road and park. Take the trail to the left up the mountain following the yellow blazes.

Another great day for a hike! mostly fair and cool with temperatures ranging from the upper 50’s to the mid 60’s F.

WILDFLOWERS IN BLOOM: White Snakeroot, Southern Harebells, Beggar Lice, Wood Aster, Goldenrod, Joe Pye Weed, Hog Peanut .

BIRDS IDENTIFIED: Nuthatch, Crow, Blue Jay, Junco, Chickadee, Cardinal .

Parking at Warwoman Dell.

Information board near the start.

It is a long steep climb up from Warwoman Dell.

One of the engraved stone Bartram Trail markers .

We took the side trail down to Big Rock.

Taking in the view at Big Rock!

Great mountain views here!

Big Rock overlooks the Boy Scouts of America Camp Rainey Mountain.

Zoomed view of the camp.

Distant zoomed view of the Rabun County Elementary School.

Another great day for mushrooms!

Huge trees in a beautiful lush forest!

There is an amazing crop of acorns this year!

The OFHC gang for today’s hike. (l-r) Carole Wintle, Dick Metzgar, Geri Barrios, Wayne Barrios, Tony Presley, Pom Sinnock, Tim Hale and Don Preece.