10/2/2018 – Bartram Trail – Jones Gap to Jones Knob and Whiterock Mt. NC

Hikingsouth Hike of the Week

Bartram Trail, Jones Gap to Jones Knob and Whiterock Mt., NC

October 2, 2018

Today’s hike was on the Bartram Trail in NC near Highlands. We hiked from Jones Gap to Jones Knob then toward Fish Hawk Mt. and we took the short side trail to Whiterock Mt.

HIKERS: Jenny Bell, Mike Bell, Ray Clark, Joe Collins, Renee Corbett, Greta Driggers, Jim Driggers, Tim Hale, Mike Jones, Bob Magee, Dick Metzgar and Jeanne O’Connor.

TRAIL INFO. – This portion of the Bartram Trail is one of our favorite hikes for great mountain views. The terrain is moderately easy with the only steep climbs on two short side trails. Early into the hike, we took the short side trail up to Jones Knob for great early morning mountain views. Later, we took the short side trail up to Whiterock Mountain for lunch on the spectacular rock faced summit.

Total hike today approx. 4.8 miles – moderate difficulty.

DIRECTIONS: From Clayton, GA take highway 441 N thru Dillard and turn right on GA Hwy 246 (Toward Highlands, NC) and continue 10.1 miles and turn left onto Turtle Pond Rd. Continue on Turtle Pond for 4.4 miles and turn left onto Dendy Orchard Rd.(rd. 1678) Continue on this road until it runs into a gravel F.S. Rd. Continue to the top of a hill and look for a turn to the left. (there will be a Bartram Trail access sign). Continue on this road to the dead end at the trailhead.

Another great day for a hike! Partly cloudy and cool with temperatures ranging from 63 to 75 degrees F.

WILDFLOWERS IN BLOOM: Wood Aster (blue and white), Bushy Aster, Goldenrod, Hawk Weed, White Yarrow, Field Thistle, White Snakeroot, Ladies Thumb, Gentian, Wild Phlox .

scroll down for photos …….

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Parking at Jones Gap
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Headed up the Bartram Trail.
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Our first side trail to Jones Knob
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Great views from Jones Knob
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Low clouds on the mountains
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The fall color of Indian Cucumber Root!
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Looking over to Whiterock Mt.
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The side trail to beautiful Whiterock Mt.
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Standing on the rock cliff at Whiterock Mt.
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A spectacular place for a lunch break!
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Simply beautiful!
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“Mushroom of the Week”
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Today’s elevation profile
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Our path today
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The OFHC gang for today’s hike. (l-r front) Renee Corbett, Mike Jones with “Barney”, Jenny Bell, Greta Driggers and Dick Metzgar . (l-r stading) Mike Bell, Jeanne O’Connor, Joe Collins, Tim Hale, Ray Clark, Jim Driggers and Bob Magee.