1/13/2015 Currahee Mountain – Col. Sink Trail – and Lathan Cemetery Loop – GA

TRAIL INFO. – This hike to the summit of Currahee Mt. is on a dirt/gravel road that is in excellent shape for hiking or running. This is the exact road that the paratroopers trained on to become qualified to serve in the U.S. Army’s newest division “The Airborne” in the early 1940’s. The soldiers were put through very rigorous training that included the famous “Three Miles Up – Three Miles Down” from Camp Toccoa to the summit and back.
We also hiked a couple of miles on the Frady Branch Trail System. We accessed the Lathan Cemetery Loop trail by taking the second road (gated) to the right as we hiked up from the trailhead.

TODAY’S HIKERS: Joe Collins, Pam Euliss, Stephen Gales, Tim Hale, Bob Magee, Jeanne O’Connor and Tony Presley.

Total hiking distance today – 8 miles with large elevation change. Difficulty rating – Moderate.

DIRECTIONS: From the north headed toward Toccoa on Highway 17 (4-lane), you will be coming down a mountain and at the bottom, turn right at the 1st traffic light (Jeanette Jameson Intersection) travel 2.3 miles to Robert Sink Rd. on the left (the gravel road just before the entrance rd. to Patterson Pump, inc. If you are coming from Toccoa, take Highway 123 (Currahee St) West about 4 miles and continue straight at the Jeanette Jameson intersection (Shell station) Drive 2.3 miles to Robert Sink Rd. on the left just before Patterson Pump, Inc.

Another great day for a hike! Cloudy, cool, heavy fog at the summit, with temperatures ranging in the low 40’s.

WILDFLOWERS IN BLOOM: None

BIRDS IDENTIFIED: White-breasted Nuthatch, Carolina Wren, Towhee, Cardinal and Tufted Titmouse.

Historic sign at the trailhead.

Headed up the Col. Robert Sink Memorial Trail.

At the second road to the right, we access the Frady Branch Trail System.

We took the Lathan Cemetery Loop today.

Historic Lathan – Edmonds Cemetery has 45 graves but only 4 identified with names.

Most of the graves are identified with a rock.

One of the four identified with names.

Next, we re-enter the Sink trail to the summit of Currahee.

Near the summit we start to see the shamefully painted rocks!

One of the fogged-in towers on Currahee.

Geological Survey marker at the summit.

Sign back at the trailhead.

The OFHC gang for today’s hike. (l-r) Stephen Gales, Bob Magee, Tim Hale, Jean O’Connor, Pam Euliss, Joe Collins and Tony Presley. .