1/28/2020 – Lake Russell Loop Trail – GA

This week’s hike was on the Lake Russell Loop Trail near Cornelia, GA.

HIKERS: Jenny Bell, Mike Bell, Phil Brownrigg, Ray Clark, Joe Collins, Renee Corbett, Angela Evans, Lynn Hotle, Ray Lovett, Bob Magee, Dick Metzgar, Dave Norton, Mary Lou Norton, Bruce O’Connor, Jeanne O’Connor, and Vic Robson.

TRAIL INFO. -The Lake Russell Loop is a very nice hike around the lake. The hike is rolling but not extreme since it is mostly near the lake shore. The trail in not well marked, but the path is obvious. With little flow over the dam spillway, we were able to hike directly over the spillway. Distance hiked – 5 mi. total.

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! Clear and cool with temperatures in the mid 30’s to low 50’s degrees F.

BIRDS IDENTIFIED: Canada Geese, Black-capped Chickadee, White-breasted Nuthatch, Blue Jay and Cardinal.

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Parking at Nancytown Lake.

The trail starts in the woods and comes out onto the road for a half mile or so.

Here, the trail goes back into the woodland.

Beautiful 100 acre Lake Russell.

Passing by the picnic area.

Walking across the spillway of the dam. Most days you cannot do this, but the water was low enough.

Walking across the earthen portion of the dam.

Mirror surface on the lake gives good reflections.

A well-constructed Beaver Dam.

Fungus of the Week!.

Crossing Nancytown Creek below the dam!

Today’s path

Elevation Profile

The OFHC gang for today’s hike. (l-r) Joe Colliins, Ray Lovett, Vic Robson, Dick Metzgar, Bob Magee, Phil Brownrigg, Mary Lu Norton, Dave Norton, Ray Clark, Jenny Bell, Mike Bell, Bruce O’Connor, Lynn Hotle, Renee Corbett, Angela Evans and Jeanne O’Connor. .