Piney Falls 8.21.15

So off we went to Piney Falls.  It started out as a questionable rainy day and we weren't sure who would show up.  We shouldn't have worried though since we are a tough dedicated group willing to risk stormy days!  It took a little over an hour to reach Piney Fall and though overcast, no rain.  There were 14 of us on this fairly easy hike.  After getting organized in the small parking lot, we set out.  Wouldn't you know it, one hundred feet down the trail it started to rain.  It was coming down pretty heavy, so everyone stopped and donned their rain gear in preparation for a downpour.  We trudged another one hundred feet and the rain stopped.  Just enough rain to make everything slick and wet.  The trail was easy for the most part, but at one point we had to climb down some very steep, slippery, large rocks.  Once past this point it was pretty much clear sailing to the beautiful falls.  The falls were really flowing and everyone got damp from the spray and took lots of pictures.  On the way back we took a slight detour and went to the head of the falls where we could see the water flowing over the top.  Although the trail did cross the river, we decided it was a little to dangerous so we stopped at this point.  Following the hike, we all ate at the Screen Door.  All in all a very good hike and lunch.  If you would like to see some pictures, click here.

Pot Point Nature Trail 8.18.1/8

The hike was a fairly easy hike for the 3 seasoned hikers (well 2 seasoned hikers and one wannabe).  We arrived at the trailhead around 8:30.  The weather was warm and humid.  The trail for the first half, was wet and slippery from the rains that went through the area the night before.  We exercised caution and no-one went down on the trail.   The first part of the trail rises at a moderate incline of about 300 feet.  The second half of the hike we made our decent down to the river's edge and continued back to the Pot Point Cabin.  The trail there was a bit more wet and soggy.  About the last 5 minutes of the hike, we encountered a light rain shower.  It actually felt pretty good and seemed to make the humidity abate a bit.   We finished the hike in about 2 hours and encountered fewer ticks and muck than we anticipated.   The trail was well marked and it appears work has been done to maintain the trail. If you would like to see a few pictures, click here.

Lula Lake 8.13.18

It was a relatively cool morning for mid August, particularly when we got to the trailhead. The Lula Lake rep was there to greet us and we were most appreciative because, unlike the throngs who come on the open weekends, we had the whole place to ourselves. After pulling a few weeds in our adopted butterfly garden we hit the trail, climbing up the Middle Trail to the Bluff Trail. After enjoying the beautiful view of McLemore Cove we continued along the Bluff to its end and returned down the mountain on the Turkey Trail to the South Creek Trail which is like walking through a tropical rain forest. Having worked up an appetite 9 of us gathered at the Café on the Corner for a spectacular lunch. The last picture is of Donna and Gloria finishing up what remained of Trish's Homemade potato chip nachos. A good time was had by all.
If you would like to see some very nice photos, click here.  More photos added 8.21.18!