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September 5, 2017

Bartram Trail Jones Knob and Whiterock Mt. - NC

This week's hike was on the NC portion of the Bartram Trail Near Highlands, NC

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 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 70 degrees F.

Hikers (16)

  • John Anderson
  • Bob Browe
  • Phil Brownrigg
  • Joe Collins
  • Renee Corbett
  • Joe Deanes
  • Greta Driggers
  • Jim Driggers
  • Pam Euliss
  • Tim Hale
  • Jenna Hensley
  • Gary King
  • Bob Magee
  • Jeanne O'Connor
  • Terre Pratt
  • Tony Presley

Flowers in bloom

Lady's Thumb, Pale Jewelweed, Spotted Jewelweed, Red Clover, Spiderwort, Pokeweed, Southern Harebells, Wood Aster, Bushy Aster, Goldenrod, Hawk Weed, White Yarrow, Crown Vetch, Mountain Mint, Field Thistle, Green-headed Coneflower / Golden Glow, Monkshood, Spurge, White Snakeroot, Starry Campion, Gentian

Birds identified

Crow, Blue Jay, Black and White Warbler, Junco, Chickadee, Nuthatch, Goldfinch, Cardinal, Vireo

Photos (14)

  • The start of today's hike
  • Lots of late-summer wildflowers - Green-headed Coneflower
  • Shortly into the hike, we come to the side trail leading to Jones Knob.
  • Arriving at Jones Knob.
  • Hazy view from Jones Knob
  • Coral Mushroom
  • Southern Harebells
  • Back on the Bartram Trail we come to a view point looking over to Whiterock Mountain..
  • The side trail to Whiterock Mt.
  • Arriving at breathtaking Whiterock Mountain!
  • Simply spectacular
  • This pretty little wildflower is extremely poisonous. One of the most deadly if injested! Monkshood / Aconitum
  • We spotted this large Timber Rattler on the road just below our parking area.
  • The OFHC gang for today's hike (l-r ) John Anderson, Gary King, Phil Brownrigg, Joe Deanes, Bob Browe, Joe Collins, Pam Euliss, Vic Robson, Tim Hale, Bob Magee, Jeanne O'Connor, Greta Driggers, Renee Corbett, Jenna Hensley, Terre Pratt, Jim Driggers and Tony Presley.