February 6, 2018
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Today’s hike was on the Frady Branch Trail System including the Pear Orchard Loop, Leatherwood Creek Loop, and Frady Branch trail near Toccoa, GA. TRAIL INFO. – This turned out to be quite a strenuous adventure! The problem was that we hiked the Leatherwood Creek Loop portion that seems to have been abandoned. Downed trees all along this portion and the trail was very difficult to see and follow and bridges were out which caused very difficult creek crossings and scrambling around the downed trees on very steep banks. Without GPS, we would not have been able to stay on the trail. Somehow, we made it through alive! Otherwise it was a nice hike. TODAY’S HIKERS: Mike Bell, Ray Clark, Joe Collins, Renee Corbett, Pam Euliss, Angela Evans, Jenna Hensley, Bob Magee, Dick Metzgar, Dave Norton, Mary Lu Norton, Tony Presley and Vic Robson. Total hiking distance today – 9.2 miles with 1200 ft. of climbing. Difficulty rating – Moderate to very strenuous. DIRECTIONS: From the NORTH headed toward Toccoa on Highway 17 (4-lane), you will be coming down a mountain and at marker 57, turn right onto Davis Mt. Rd and continue a quarter mile or so and bear left when you come to a fork in the road and continue and you will dead end onto Dicks Creek Parkway turn right and the parking area will be immediately on your left. Then drive up to the second gated road on the right – Lathan Rd. From TOCCOA there is a TEMPORARY DETOUR! Highway 123 is closed beyond the Jameson intersection: Therefore continue up the 4 lane to marker 57 and turn left onto Davis Mt. Road then continue a quarter mile or so and bear left when you come to a fork in the road continue and you will dead end onto Dicks Creek Parkway turn right and the parking area will be immediately on your left. Then drive up to the second gated road on the right – Lathan Rd. Another great day for a hike! Cloudy, cool, with temperatures ranging from 48 to 60 F. WILDFLOWERS IN BLOOM: None BIRDS IDENTIFIED: Downey Woodpecker, White-breasted Nuthatch, Carolina Wren, Towhee, Cardinal and Tufted Titmouse.
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