4/7/2015 Little Tennessee Greenway Trail – Franklin, NC

Little Tennessee River Greenway Trail

April 7, 2015

Today’s hike was on the Little Tennessee River Greenway Trail in Franklin, NC.

HIKERS – Joe Collins, Dave Hinson, Bill Hunt, Tyler Hunt, Greta Driggers, Jim Driggers, Kanchan Garg, Bob Magee,Trushna Nadig, Jeanne O’Connor, Donna Presley, Tony Presley, .

TRAIL INFO. – This trail is a very pleasant walk along the Little Tennessee River in Franklin, NC. It is mostly asphalt with very nice features along the way. Benches, picnic tables, parks, great signage, very nice bridges that take you back and forth across the river. The terrain is mostly flat. From end to end it is 4 miles. We hiked the entire length from south to north and back for an 8.5 mile total including the access trail at the Macon County Public Library.

Directions: From the south in GA take highway 441 to Franklin, NC. Turn to the right just before the Highway 64 intersection onto Siler Rd. Continue along Siler and follow the signs to the Public Library. You will then walk down a gravel road to the Greenway Trail access.

Another great day for a hike! Partly cloudy and mild. Temperatures in the mid 50’s F warming into the mid 60’s. Total distance – 8.5 mi.

BLOOMING PLANTS: Serviceberry(tree), Tulips, Hawthorn(tree), Dogwood(cornus florida), Redbud, Forsythia, Crabapple, Dandelion, Henbit, Purple Dead Nettle, Bird’s-eye Speedwell, White, Blue and Yellow Violets(several varieties), Rue Anemone, Wood Rue, Robin’s Plantain, Pepper-grass, Trailing Arbutus and Pussytoes.

BIRDS IDENTIFIED: Song Sparrow, Field Sparrow, White-throated Sparrow, Goldfinch, Cardinal, Carolina Chickadee, Tufted Titmouse, Brown Thrasher, Mockingbird, Carolina Wren, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Yellow-throated Warbler, Rough-winged Swallow, Tree Swallow, Robin, Bluebird, Blue Jay, Cowbird, Starling, Northern Flicker, Downy Woodpecker, Pileated Woodpecker, American Crow, Fish Crow, Canada Goose, Pied-bill Grebe, Osprey, Turkey Vulture and Red-shouldered Hawk.

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Parking at the Macon County Public Library
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Crossing under the highway bridge.
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Great signage all along the greenway!
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Crossing the river on beautiful Nonah Bridge!
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Abundant rainfall recently has produced a muddy Little Tennessee River.
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An absolutely beautiful springtime hike!
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Another great day for a hike!
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This old iron bridge was relocated from the Cullasaja community
and it serves as an excellent footbridge across the river.
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The next bridge is a beautiful wooden arched bridge.
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Information on this great community asset.

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Entering the upper part of the Greenway beyond Business Hwy. 441.
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Canada Geese enjoy the greenway.
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Lunchtime at the pavillion!
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The OFHC gang for today’s hike. (l-r) Bill Hunt, David Hinson, Bob Magee, Kanchan Garg, Tyler Hunt, Greta Driggers, Trushna Nadig, Jim Driggers, Jill Smith, “Angus” trail dog, Jeanne O’Connor, Donna Presley, Joe Collins and Tony Presley.