2/10/2015 Appalachian Trail – Woody Gap – Gooch Gap – GA

HIKERS – Suzanne Belflower, John Bellamy, June Bellamy, Karen Brown, Stephen Gales, Phillip Hale, Tim Hale, Kim Johnson, Jeanne O’Connor, Tony Presley, Sandy Robson, Vic Robson, Carole Wintle and Jack Wintle.

TRAIL INFO. – This section of the A.T. is beautiful with lots of great mountain views. Early today we were surprised to see the trees covered with Rime Ice or Hoar Frost. The terrain is very hilly as typical of the Georgia portion of the Appalachian Trail.We met four thru-hikers today 18 miles into their 2,000 plus mile journey to Mt. Katahdin Maine.

Directions: Take Hwy. 129 N from Cleveland, GA for about 15 mi. then turn left at Turner’s Corner and travel several miles to Hwy 60 (rock pile) turn right and drive to the top of the mountain to the A.T. crossing at Woody Gap. Park on the left and hike southward.

Another great day for a hike! Cloudy to mostly fair and windy with ice early. Temperatures in the low to mid 30’s F gradually warming into the low 40’s. Total distance – 7.8 mi. Moderately strenuous

FLOWERS IN BLOOM: none

BIRDS IDENTIFIED: American Crow, Blue Jay, Black Vulture, Carolina Wren.

Trail sign at Woody Gap.

Beautiful sparkling trees early.

White Pine

We meet a thru-hiker and his dog from Memphis, TN.

On the way out, we were pelted with rime ice falling from the trees!

The sun finally prevailed and the sky became blue.

We were treated to spectacular mountain views!

We reach our lunchtime destination!

Taking a break along the trail.

The A.T. in Georgia features lots of rocks and boulders.

We met these thru-hikers 18 miles into their 2,200 mi. journey.

The view from Woody Gap.

The OFHC gang for today’s hike. (l-r) Carole Wintle, Jack Wintle, Karen Brown, Jeanne O’Connor, Phillip Hale, Stephen Gales, John Bellamy, Kim Johnson, Tim Hale, June Bellamy, Vic Robson, Suzanne Belflower, Sandy Robson and Tony Presley. .