10/6/2015 Black Rock Mountain State Park Trails – GA

Today’s hike was in Black Rock Mountain State Park. We hiked the Lake Loop Trail and a good portion of the James Edmonds Trail to Lookoff Mountain overlooking the Wolffork Valley. Approximately 5 miles total.

HIKERS: Suzanne Belflower, Joe Collins, Brenda Cooper, Chuck Crisp, Frances Davis, Greta Driggers, Jim Driggers, Pam Euliss, David Hinson, Mike Jones, Dick Metzgar, Bruce O’Connor, Jeanne O’Connor, Tony Presley, Vic Robson and Carole Wintle .

TRAIL INFO. – Both of these trails were in excellent condition. The Lake Loop is very easy and has nice views and is a good trail to start the day. The James Edmonds Trail is more strenuous with a long uphill climb to Lookoff Mountain for great mountain views. The lookoff today was foggy so the views were not available.

DIRECTIONS: From the south, take Highway 441 thru Clayton, GA to Mountain City and turn Left on Black Rock Mountain Parkway. Continue for a mile or so and turn right on Taylors Chapel Rd. and continue to Black Rock Mt. Lake.

Another great day for a hike! Cloudy with fog and temperatures ranging from the upper 50’s to the mid 60’s F.

WILDFLOWERS IN BLOOM: Queen Ann’s Lace, Stiff Gentian, Green-Headed Coneflower, Blue Lobelia, Canada Goldenrod, Gray Goldenrod, Wreathed Goldenrod, White Heath Aster, White Wood Aster, New England Aster, Hawkweed, Boneset, Ironweed, Bull Thistle, Lion’s Foot, Rabbit Tobacco, Gaura, Ladies’ Tresses, Horse Weed, Smart Weed, Jewelweed, Downy Lobelia, Morning Glory, Dodder, Dayflower, Helianthus (various) and Spotted Knapweed.

BIRDS IDENTIFIED: Mallard Ducks, Canada Geese, Nuthatch, Blue Jay, Cardinal, Carolina Chickadee, Tufted Titmouse, American Crow, Red-shouldered Hawk, Red-bellied Woodpecker.

The parking lot for the Black Rock Mt. Lake Trail.

The Lake Loop Trail follows the shoreline around this beautiful mountain lake.

The trail crosses a couple of small creeks feeding the lake.

The trail is mostly flat with only one small hill.

We saw a couple of groups of Mallard Ducks.

A couple of Canada Geese came over to us looking for a snack.

The trail has some nice footbridges and boardwalks.

Next, we walk about 50 yards up the gravel road from the parking lot to the West Fork of the James Edmonds Trail.

The trail is mostly uphill from here to Lookoff Mountain.

It was a great day for Fall wildflowers.

We found a nice group of Chicken of the Woods Mushrooms growing on an old Oak tree!

We arrive at Lookoff Mountain for lunch!

Normally great views are fogged-in today.

The OFHC gang for today’s hike. (l-r front) Tony Presley, Vic Robson, Mike Jones and “Barney”, Pam Euliss, Bruce O’Connor, Greta Driggers and Dick Metzgar. (l-r standing) Carole Wintle, Suzanne Belflower, Joe Collins, Chuck Crisp, Frances Davis, Jim Driggers, David Hinson, Jeanne O’Connor, Brenda Cooper and Lynne Wilson with “Angus”.