6/7/2016 Bartram Trail – Osage Mt. Vista – Scaly Mountain – NC

Today’s hike was on the NC portion of the Bartram Trail starting at the Osage Vista on the Dillard Highway and hiking past the Summit of Scaly Mountain and partially down the other side.

HIKERS – John Bellamy, June Bellamy, Mike Bell, Phil Brownrigg, Ray Clark, Joe Collins, Greta Driggers, Pam Euliss, Angela Evans, Bob Magee, Dick Metzgar, Tony Presley and Vic Robson.

TRAIL INFORMATION – A beautiful section of the Bartram Trail near the GA border in NC. Starting at the Osage Overlook on the Highlands Highway, the trail climbs up to the beautiful summit of Scaly Mountain. We hiked beyond the summit a portion of the way down the north side of the mountain.

We rate the hike mostly strenuous due to a very large elevation gain up to the summit of Scaly.

Directions: Osage Mt. Vista is 5.7 miles west of Highlands on NC Hwy. 106. Or from Dillard, GA turn right on GA 246 which becomes NC 106 and drive approx. 9 miles to Osage Overlook on the right.

Another great day for a hike! Mostly sunny breezy and mild with temperatures ranging from 64 to 74 degrees F. Hiking distance – 4.7 miles.

WILDFLOWERS IN BLOOM: Fly Poison, Galax, Bluet, Indian Physic, Indian Cucumber Root, Blackberry, Sweet Azalea, Flame Azalea, Mt. Laurel, Catawba Rhododendron, Pink Lady Slipper, Fire Pink, Mapleleaf Viburnum, Yellow Stargrass, False Solomon’s Seal, Solomon’s Seal, Wild Geranium and Rattlesnake Weed.

BIRDS IDENTIFIED: Veery, Dark Eyed Junco, Eastern Towhee, Chestnut Sided Warbler, Black & White Warbler, Black Throated Blue Warbler, Chipping Sparrow, Pine Warbler, Northern Cardinal and Crow.

Our parking lot for today.

The sign at the trailhead.

The trail is uphill most of the way to the summit.

The trail is well decorated with wildflowers.

As we climb Scaly, we look across to see Rabun Bald.

Pulp from a crushed bulb, mixed with sugar, can be used to poison flies,.

As we get closer to the summit, the trail turns to solid rock.

Not quite to the summit, we look back into Georgia and see Rabun Bald.

Now at the summit of Scaly we look into the NC mountains.

We were surprised to find a Lady Slipper still blooming!

On the way back down Scaly, we take a short side trail to our beautiful lunch spot!

Our lunchtime view!

The OFHC gang for today’s hike. (l-r) Tony Presley, Pam Euliss, June Bellamy, John Bellamy, Vic Robson, Greta Driggers, Dick Metzgar, Mike Bell, Bob Magee, Joe Collins, Angela Evans, Phil Brownrigg and Ray Clark.