3/22/2016 The Stoneplace Trail – Tallulah Gorge State Park – GA

Today, we hiked the Stoneplace Trail at Tallulah Gorge State Park. A 10 mile round trip hike from the Interpretive Center to the Stoneplace Boat Ramp on Tugalo Lake.

HIKERS: Mike Bell, John Bellamy, Karen Brown, Ray Clarke, Joe Collins, Stephen Gales, Bill Hunt, David Hinson, Jack Jacobi, Dick Metzgar, Jeanne O’Connor, Tony Presley, Vic Robson, Marsha Tiesler.

TRAIL INFO. – The Stoneplace Trail is an excellent trail that has moderate difficulty terrain with lots of flat areas. This 5 mile one way trail leads from the Interpretive Center to Stoneplace Boatramp which is in a cove on the Chattooga River end of Tugalo Lake. The State Park requires each hiker to get a permit before hiking this trail.

Total round trip hiking distance today 10 miles – Difficulty rating – moderate.

DIRECTIONS: The Stoneplace Trail is located in Tallulah Gorge State Park, GA beginning at the Jane Hurt Yarn Interpretive Center.

Another great day for a hike! Very sunny with temperatures ranging from low 30s to mid-60’s degrees F.

WILDFLOWERS IN BLOOM: Green and Gold, Trailing Arbutus, Heartleaf Wild Ginger, Halberd Leaf Violet, Robin’s Plantain, Redbud and Dogwood Trees and Dandelion.

BIRDS IDENTIFIED: Peregrine Falcon, American Crow, Turkey Vulture, Blue-headed Vireo, Carolina Wren, Carolina Chickadee, Tufted Titmouse and Pileated Woodpecker.

The Trailhead for today.

Another great day for a hike!

The trail is very well marked!

Spring is here and we are starting to see a few wildflowers. Halberd-leaved Violet

The trail has excellent footing and much of it is flat.

Heartleaf Wild Ginger.

Most of the first mile of the trail is covered with wood chips.

Here, we can see the upper fork of Tugalo Lake.

The Stoneplace Boat Dock and Ramp. Our lunchtime destination!

After lunch, we head back up the uphill portion of the trail.

We spot some type of critter’s home.

On the return trip, we loop out to Inspiration Point then back to the Interpretive Center.

Inspiration Point – The highest of the viewpoints at Tallulah Gorge.

Looking deep into the gorge from Inspiration Point.

The OFHC gang for today’s hike. (l-r) Tony Presley, Ray Clark, Joe Collins, Dick Metzgar, Bill Hunt, David Hinson, Marsha Tiesler, Jack Jacobi, Karen Brown, Jeanne O’Connor, John Bellamy, Mike Bell, Vic Robson and Stephen Gales.