9/1/2015 Bartram Trail NC Jones Gap – Whiterock Mt.

Today’s hike was on the Bartram Trail in NC near Highlands. We hiked from Jones Gap to Jones Knob then toward Fish Hawk Mt. and we took the short side trail to Whiterock Mt.

HIKERS: Suzanne Belflower, Mike Bell, Karen Brown, Phil Brownrigg, Joe Collins, Chuck Crisp, Greta Driggers, Jim Driggers, Pam Euliss, Stephen Gales, Tim Hale, Jack Jacobi, Ronnie Johns, Mike Jones, Bob Magee, Dick Metzgar, Trushna Nadig, George Otis, John Otis, Tony Presley, Vic Robson and Carole Wintle.

TRAIL INFO. – This portion of the Bartram Trail is one of our favorite hikes for great mountain views. The terrain is moderately easy with the only steep climbs on two short side trails. Early into the hike, we took the short side trail up to Jones Knob for great early morning mountain views. Later, we took the short side trail up to Whiterock Mountain for lunch on the spectacular rock faced summit. Total hike today approx. 6 miles – easy to moderate.

DIRECTIONS: From Clayton, GA take highway 441 N thru Dillard and turn right on GA Hwy 246 (Toward Highlands, NC) and continue 10.1 miles and turn left onto Turtle Pond Rd. Continue on Turtle Pond for 4.4 miles and turn left onto Dendy Orchard Rd.(rd. 1678) Continue on this road until it runs into a gravel F.S. Rd. Continue to the top of a hill and look for a turn to the left. (there will be a Bartram Trail access sign). Continue on this road to the dead end at the trailhead.

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

WILDFLOWERS IN BLOOM: Green-headed Coneflower, Monkshood, Spurge, Hog Peanut, White Snakeroot, Starry Campion, Pale Jewelweed, Spotted Jewelweed, Crimson Clover, Pinesap, Rattlesnake Plantain, Pokeweed, Southern Harebells, Beggar Lice, Wood Aster, Bushy Aster, Goldenrod, Hawk Weed, White Yarrow and Alum Root, Mountain Mint, Field Thistle.

BIRDS IDENTIFIED: Black and White Warbler, Crow, Blue Jay, Black-throated Blue Warbler, Junco, Chickadee, Nuthatch, Vulture, Wood-Pewee, Goldfinch, Cardinal, Vireo.

Parking at the Jones Gap Bartram Trailhead

Shortly into the hike, we take the side trail up to Jones Knob.

Late Summer Wildflowers were abundant! Top left then clockwise: Blue Wood Aster, White Snakeroot, Monkshood, Green-headed Coneflower

We arrive at Jones Knob for great mountain views with low hanging clouds.

Beautiful!

We continue on the Bartram Trail over to Whitrock Mountain.

On the way over to Whiterock we encounter traffic on the trail! A healthy large Timber Rattlesnake with 10 rattles!(we did not disturb him!)

We arrive at spectacular Whiterock Mountain!

Breathtaking views for our lunch spot!

High elevation, clean air, spectacular views while we eat.

Peanut butter and jelly never tasted so good!

No hurry to leave this spot!

Fungi of the week!

The OFHC gang for today’s hike. (l-r front) Tony Presley, Joe Collins, Trushna Nadig, Mike Jones & “Barney” and Dick Metzgar. (l-r standing) Carole Wintle, Suzanne Belflower, Pam Euliss, Greta Driggers, Karen Brown, Jim Driggers, Ronnie Johns, Mike Bell, Chuck Crisp, Bob Magee, Tim Hale, Vic Robson, Stephen Gales, Phil Brownrigg, Jack Jacobi, George Otis and John Otis.