January 24, 2017
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Today’s hike was on the Wine Spring Trail starting from Sawmill Gap at the Bartram Trail intersection. This trail parallels the Bartram Trail for a couple of miles then on toward the Wine Spring Horse Camp. HIKERS – Mike Bell, Phil Brownrigg, Ray Clark, Joe Collins, Stephen Gales, Tim Hale, Bob Magee, Dick Metzgar, Dave Norton, Mary Lu Norton, Bruce O’Connor, Jeanne O’Connor, Terre Pratt, Tony Presley, Joe Raguckas, Vic Robson, Linda Schultz, Carole Wintle and Jack Wintle. TRAIL INFO. – This is a new (for us) trail starting at Sawmill Gap but instead of hiking on the Bartram Trail, we walked the old F.S. Road paralleling the Bartram. The trail is marked with orange diamond blazes. We are not sure of the length but it leads to the Wine Spring Horse Camp. We hiked out almost 4 mi. and returned. Another great day for a hike! Sunny with early fog. Temperatures ranged from the mid to the upper 30’s F. Total distance – 7.9 mi. Mostly easy terrain. FLOWERS IN BLOOM: none DIRECTIONS: From Franklin, NC, travel west on US 64 for 3 miles to Old Murphy Road where there is a Wayah Bald sign. Turn right and drive 0.2 mile to Wayah Road (SR 1310). Turn left and continue for about 9 miles to Wayah Crest and continue for couple of miles and turn right onto F.S. Road 711 (Sawmill Gap Road) and continue a few miles to the Sawmill Gap sign and parking lot. BIRDS IDENTIFIED: American Crow, Chickadee, Blue Jay, Tufted Titmouse.
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