1/12/2016 Lake Russell Trails – GA

Today’s hike was on the trails at the Lake Russell Recreation Area in Habersham Co., GA.

HIKERS – Mike Bell, John Bellamy, June Bellamy, Phil Brownrigg, Joe Collins, David Hinson, Ronnie Johns, Bruce O’Connor, Jeanne O’Connor, Bob Magee, Radhika Nadig, Trushna Nadig, Dave Norton, Mary Lu Norton, Gail Smith and Carole Wintle.

TRAIL INFO. – The Lake Russell Recreation area offers hikers three trails to choose from. The Lake Russell Loop Trail, The Sourwood Trail and The Lady Slipper Trail. We hiked the Lake Russell Loop and a portion of the Sourwood Trail today.

Distance hiked – approximately 6 miles – difficulty – Easy to moderate.

Directions: The Lake Russell Recreation Area is off the Dicks Hill Parkway East of Cornelia, at Mt. Airy, GA near the railroad bridge, turn onto the Lake Russell Recreation Area access road. Drive about 2.5 miles to the parking lot at Nancytown Lake.

Another great day for a hike! Sunshine. Temp: low 30s to 50 degrees F.

WILDFLOWERS: Green and Gold.

BIRDS IDENTIFIED: Turkey Vulture, Carolna Chickadee and Carolina Wren.

A nice place for hiking!

Trail parking at the Nancytown Lake Parking area.

Nancytown Lake.

Early into the hike we have a creek crossing.

Then there is about a quarter mile walk along the park road..

There were a couple of trees down to crawl over.

Here, we walk thru the pinic and swim area.

Trail sign as we near the dam area.

The Lake Russell Dam.

View of Lake Russell from the dam.

An expertly designed Beaver Dam with nice reflections!

Lots of beautiful green moss.

The Lake Russell Loop crosses just below the Nancytown Lake Dam as we finish the loop.

The OFHC gang for today’s hike. (l-r) Radhika Nadig, Trushna Nadig, Bob Magee, Gail Smith and “Angus”, David Hinson, June Bellamy, Mary Lu Norton, John Bellamy, Bruce O’Connor, Carole Wintle, Ronnie Johns, Dave Norton, Joe Collins, Jeanne O’Connor, Mike Bell and Phil Brownrigg.