September 3, 2013
Chimney Rock Trail near Tate City, GA - NC
This week's hike was on the Chimney Rock Trail in NC from the dead end of the Tate City Road up to the the summit of Big Scaly Mountain (5,200 ft)
Trail information
A beautiful hike beginning on the upper end of the Tallulah River and climbing up and up to Case Knife Gap. Then another half-mile climb up to Big Scaly Mt. The views are great in the wintertime but the leaves obscure most of the good mountain views during the summer months. Still a nice but strenuous hike. Total hiking distance today - 7.5 miles with a very large elevation gain
Directions
Take Highway 76 West out of Clayton, GA for 8 miles and turn right onto Persimmon Rd. Continue 4 miles and turn left onto Tallulah River Rd. Continue for around 5 miles through Tate City and continue past the NC line for another mile or so until the road comes to a dead end. Park here for the trail-head. Another great day for a hike! Mostly sunny and mild. Temperatures from the mid-60's to mid 70's
Conditions
Temperatures from the mid-60's to mid 70's.
Hikers (11)
- Wayne Barrios
- Karen Brown
- Pam Euliss
- Dave Hinson
- Jeanne O'Connor
- Donna Presley
- Tony Presley
- Vic Robson
- Lynne Saporito
- Geri Whitaker
- Carole Wintle
Flowers in bloom
heal-all, woodland phlox, wreath goldenrod, white wood aster, black eyed Susan, white-topped aster, wing stem, grass-leafed golden aster, golden aster, green-headed cone flower, starry campion, hairy hawkweed, Canada violet, whorled coreopsis, white snake root, spotted jewel weed, pale jewel weed, horse balm, crimson bee balm, purple bergamot, mountain mint, hog peanut, blue lobelia, red turtle head, Joe Pye weed (2 types), dodder, cow bane, evening primrose, Southern harebell, cow parsnip
Birds identified
Pileated Woodpecker, Carolina Wren, Turfted Titmouse, Carolina Chickadee, Turkey Vulture, Wild Turkey, Cardinal
Photos (12)
The trailhead at the end of the Tate City Rd. The start of the hike toward Case Knife Gap. The trail had a couple of blowdowns to climb over. A good day for wildflowers : Pale Jewelweed. Looking down on the Tallulah River below. This hike is in the Wilderness Area. Cool, noisy and beautiful! Another great day for a hike! Green-headed Coneflowers Turtleheads Fungus of the Week! The OFHC gang for today's hike. (l-r)Tony Presley, Vic Robson, Carole Wintle, Karen Brown, Jeanne O'Connor, Lynne Saporito & "Angus", Dave Hinson, Wayne Barrios, Geri Whitaker, Donna Presley and Pam Euliss.