August 4, 2015
|
HIKERS: Geri Barrios, Wayne Barrios, Mike Bell, Jenny Bell, Suzanne Belflower, John Bellamy, June Bellamy, Karen Brown, Joe Collins, Stephen Gales, Jack Jacobi, Ronnie Johns, Mary Loureiro, Dick Metzgar, Huck Phillips, Tony Presley, Greg Robson, Vic Robson and Carole Wintle. TRAIL INFO. – We traveled to Highlands, NC today and first hiked the Whiteside Mountain loop trail up and across the rim at the top of the breathtaking cliffs on Whiteside Mountain. The back side of the loop was closed due to step construction going on and we had to double back and return the way that we came up. Next, we hiked the Glen Falls Trail to two nice mountain waterfalls. Total hiking distance today – About 5 miles with some elevation change. We rate the hike difficulty as moderate. Directions: For Whiteside Mt. From the Dillard Highway 106 drive to the intersection of Highway 64 in downtown Highlands, turn right and continue thru town to the traffic light where 64 turns left toward Cashiers. Travel toward Cashiers on US 64 for 5.5 miles to the Whiteside Mountain Road sign turn right on paved road NC 1600 and go .6 mile and turn left into the parking lot. The Glenn Falls Trail is located off of Highway 106 (the Dillard Highway) about 3 miles south of Highlands, NC. Look for the sign to Glen Falls. Another great day for a hike! Sunny to partly cloudy with temperatures ranging from the upper 60’s to the upper 70’s F. WILDFLOWERS IN BLOOM: Bush Honeysuckle, White Bee Balm, Wood Aster, Rattlesnake Plantain, Turk’s Cap Lily, Joe Pye Weed, Heal-all, Woodland Sunflower, Coreopsis, Virgin’s Bower, Queen Anne’s Lace, Red Clover, Mountain Phlox . BIRDS IDENTIFIED: Junco, American Crow, Pileated Woodpecker, Carolina Wren, Nuthatch and Tufted Titmouse.
|
