Black Rock Mountain - Clayton, GA

Tuesday, Apr 30, we headed to Black Rock Mountain State Park near Clayton where wildflowers abound in the spring.   This was a 2.2 mile Tennessee Rock Loop, then another mile (each way) to and from the Trading Post and Ada-Hi Falls.  Steep grades are short and both trails mostly easy/moderate.  The park is 1,743 acres.




And we're off......

Creepy

At an altitude of 3,640 feet
The State Park is the highest park in Georgia





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Chattooga Narrows via Bull Pen Road

Tuesday, Jan 29, a "Narrows escape".  We head north, 3 plus miles upstream on the Chattooga from Bull Pen Rd with an easy to moderate, mostly riverside trail to Norton Mill Creek Falls and  the Narrows...an impressive sluice carved into a rock wall canyon. 

Pam had some free time to join us on this one.

Helping Sista!

and another helping hand.....



This is how you do it......



Think I got the hang of it!



This way is easier......



Pam and I just had to take the group to Mom's Place to see the mill and waterfall....after all, we were just a few miles away.

Chattooga Narrows

Thursday, Apr 25, we ventured to the Chattooga Narrows, but by the route from Highlands.  It's a rolling, mostly moderate trail; down hill and stream outbound; up stream return, 3 miles each way, and not usually troubled by deadfall as others experienced a couple months ago on the southern route. 

Back in January, Pam and I went with the group and hiked from the other end of this trail.  We started on Bull Pen Road and parked at the iron bridge - trail head was up river. 



Lunch by the Chattooga River



The Narrows



After the hike, many of the group went on to see Grimshawes Post Office (the smallest in the US), Granite City, and the Big Tree. 

if my memory, from years ago, serves me correct,  Dad said this was a popular tree.....

Lake Russell (Georgia)

Tuesday, Apr 23, we headed for Russell Lake and Nancytown in Georgia.  It's a bit of a drive, but, the trail is lakeside, mostly easy 6 miles; a one way loop, with nice flora and lake views. 

Lake Russell Loop Trail



Over the dam





Spill way





May-Apple
Also known as Mandrake, this plant reaches 10 - 18 inches tall and has two prominent peltate leaves.  There is a single inconspicuous flower which apprears in the spring near the junction of the leaf stalks.  Colonies of 50 - 100 or more plants grow in open woods and on road shoulders at elvations of 2,500 feet.



Virginia Hawkins & Laurel Falls

It's good to be back on the trail after a couple of months spent in Florida.  This hike is a familiar one and it's well worth the effort to see the falls.  Tuesday, Apr 16, we headed to Virginia Hawkins Falls then onto Laurel Falls on Lake Jocassee with wildflowers enroute.  The hike is about 7.5 miles, mostly easy and moderate, if accessed via the Heritage Preserve.  It's 9 moderate/difficult miles if begun from the FT access at Rocky Bottom.  The shortcut requires gravel road access...usually well maintained, but 4 miles in...best by SUV.



Oconee Bells



Welcome to Spring - Dwarf Iris
Beautiful rich blue widely seen along trails and roadsides.

Log Rolling

Another species of Aster

Arlene likes to make the bridge bounce

Leap Frog

Laurel Fork Falls

Lunch break by river



Vasey's Trillium
The largest flower of its species.  Dark maroon-purple flowers. 

Virginia Hawkins Falls

Solomon's-Seal
Very gracefully arching herb, usually 2 to 3 feet long and has greenish-yellow axillary flowers.

Following the hike today, Nancy took Ivan and myself to the place called "Jumpoff Rock".  This is the most beautiful view I have ever seen of Lake Jocassee.  Not to mention, we got to see 6 Falcons sorrowing on the cliffs.  The ride from the hiking trail took another 30 minutes of winding, rough dirt roads to see the view and an hour drive out to have gone only 4 miles.  Jeep highly recommened.

Foothills - Sloan Bridge to Hatchery

This was my first time on this leg of the Foothills Trail.  Very easy 6 miles through the well maintentained trail.

Rattlesnake Plantain - Orchid Family
White-veined basal leaves and has small white flowers in summer.  Found in moist, wooded slopes at elevations up to 4,000 feet.  Stems can reach 10 - 15 inches.



Galax - This plant is widely known for its leaves which turn copper-red in winter and has white spike flowers in the Spring.  It's abundant in dry woods up to 5,000 feet elevation.



Bill - Always hard at work!