9/22/2015 Dockery Lake Trail – Appalachian Trail, GA

This week’s hike was on the Dockery Lake Trail in Lumpkin County to Miller Gap on the Appalachian Trail, GA. We also hiked the loop around Dockery Lake for a total round trip hike of 7.5 miles.

HIKERS: Suzanne Belflower, John Bellamy, Joe Collins, Stephen Gales, Tim Hale, Bob Magee, Dick Metzgar, Jeanne O’Connor, Tony Presley, Vic Robson and Roger Roy.

TRAIL INFO. – A beautiful trail starting at Dockery Lake Campground and leading up to the Appalachian Trail east of Woody Gap, GA. Also a nice loop trail around Dockery Lake. Overall difficulty – moderately strenuous, with considerable elevation change leading up to the A.T. Total hike distance 7.5 miles round trip.

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 toward the top of the mountain. Turn right at the sign for Dockery Lake and drive down the gravel road to the trail parking lot.

Another great day for a hike! Cloudy with light drizzle early and cool with temperatures ranging from 64 to 68 degrees F.

FLOWERS IN BLOOM: White Wood Aster, Woodland Phlox, Blue Wood Aster, Woodland Sunflower, Goldenrod, White Snakeroot, Spotted Jewelweed, Joe Pye Weed, Southern Harebell, Blue Lobelia.

BIRDS IDENTIFIED: Crow, Junco, Blue Jay, Black-Throated Green Warbler,Pileated Woodpecker, White-breasted Nuthatch .

Trailhead at Dockery Lake

We started out with a light drizzle.

Another great day for a hike!

After walking around the Lakeshore Trail, we head for the Appalachian Trail.

Headed uphill!

Some of today’s wildflowers. (top left then clockwise) Blue Lobelia, Southern Harebells, Blue Wood Aster and White Snakeroot.

We make it to Miller Gap on the A.T.

The sign at Miller Gap pointing to Dockery Lake.

Lunchtime at Miller Gap!

Mushroom of the Week! Chicken of the Woods

Many of the boulders were covered in bright green moss. Beautiful!

We arrive back at Dockery Lake with a bright mirror surface.

Along the lakeshore we see some early Fall color!

The OFHC gang for today’s hike. (l-r) Joe Collins, Bob Magee, Vic Robson, Jeanne O’Connor, John Bellamy, Tim Hale, Suzanne Belflower, Stephen Gales, Dick Metzgar, Roger Roy and Tony Presley.