1/23/2018 – Lake Russell Trails – Mt. Airy, GA

Hikingsouth Hike of the Week

Lake Russell Loop Trail and Sourwood Trail. GA

January 23, 2018

Today’s hike was on the Lake Russell Loop Trail and Sourwood Loop Trail in the Lake Russell Recreation Area in Habersham County, GA.

HIKERS – Jenny Bell, Mike Bell, Joe Collins, Renee Corbett, Angela Evans, Tim Hale, Jenna Hensley, Gary King, Ray Lovett, Bob Magee, Dick Metzgar, Dave Norton, Mary Lu Norton, Terre Pratt, Tony Presley, Vic Robson.

TRAIL INFO. – The Lake Russell Loop is a very nice hike around the lake.(Listed 4.6 mi – our GPS 5.2 mi) The hike is rolling but mostly flat. The Sourwood Trail is more hilly and is listed 2.7 mi. loop (our GPS 3.1 mi) that leads up to Nancytown Falls with nice views of Nancytown Creek. The total mileage hiked today was 9.2 miles including the walk between the two trails. 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! Mostly clear and cool. Temperatures ranged from the mid 40’s to the mid 50’s F. Total distance – 9.1 mi.

FLOWERS IN BLOOM: none

BIRDS IDENTIFIED: American Crow, Canada Geese, Pileated Woodpecker, Chickadee, Blue Jay, Tufted Titmouse.

OTHER FAUNA – River Turtles, Squirrels

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The start of today’s hike at the Nancytown Lake parking area..
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The trail is mostly woodland along the lakeshore.
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A short portion of the trail follows the park road.
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Fungus of the week!
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The Lake Russell dam spillway.
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Walking across the earthen portion of the dam.
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Beautiful Lake Russell
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Beavers are very active near the lakeshore.
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Nancytown Lake and dam.
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On the Sourwood Trail
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Nancytown Falls
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GPS Elevation profile.
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GPS Track.
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The OFHC gang for today’s hike (l-r Front) Dave Norton & “Clover”, Gary King, Terre Pratt, Mary Lu Norton, Jenna Hensley, Renee Corbett, Dick Metzgar, Mike Bell, Jenny Bell, Tim Hale, Vic Robson, Joe Collins, Bob Magee, Ray Lovett, Angela Evans and Tony Presley.

See Video from this hike below: