September 6, 2016
The Bartram Trail - Jones Gap - Whiterock Mt. - NC
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
Trail information
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. 5.7 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! WILD
Conditions
Partly cloudy and cool with temperatures ranging from 60 to 72 degrees F.
Hikers (11)
- John Anderson
- Ray Clark
- Joe Collins
- Stephen Gales
- Mike Jones
- Bob Magee
- Terre Pratt
- Tony Presley
- Sandy Robson
- Vic Robson
- Carole Wintle
Flowers in bloom
Pale Jewelweed, Spotted Jewelweed, Wild Clematis, Red Clover, Pinesap, Rattlesnake Plantain, Pokeweed, Southern Harebells, Wood Aster, Bushy Aster, Goldenrod, Hawk Weed, White Yarrow, Crown Vetch, Purple Coneflower, Mountain Mint, Field Thistle, Green-headed Coneflower / Golden Glow, Monkshood, Spurge, White Snakeroot, Starry Campion
Birds identified
Wild Turkey, Crow, Blue Jay, Black and White Warbler, Junco, Chickadee, Nuthatch, Vulture, Wood-Pewee, Goldfinch, Cardinal, Vireo
Photos (15)
Parking at Jones Gap. About a quarter of a mile into the hike, we take the side trail up to beautiful Jones Knob. Near the Jones Knob sign, we see this 10ft. tall patch of Golden Glow / Green-headed Coneflowers. Doll's Eyes / White Baneberry Great view from Jones Knob with clouds in the valley. Back on the Bartram Trail we get this view of Whiterock Mountain across the way! A little further down the trail, we pass through Whiterock Gap. This is the marker for the side trail up to Whiterock Mountain look-off. We arrive at our spectacular lunch spot! Beautiful layers of mountains. A very large sloping rock faced mountain with spectacular views of NC and GA mountains. Lunchtime on Whiterock Mt.! Wild Phlox Beautiful Monkshood! Very poisonous plant. Handling can cause a painful rash and nausea or worse. Eating will cause death! The OFHC gang for today's hike. (l-r) Tony Presley, Stephen Gales, Bob Magee, Ray Clark, Carole Wintle, Joe Collins, "Barney" Jones with Mike Jones, John Anderson, Sandy Robson, Vic Robson and Terre Pratt.