Four hikers ascended the Oswald Dome, a knob on top of Bean Mountain in the Cherokee National Forest. After an inauspicious start on the wrong trail, a little bush wacking to find the correct trail, a few trips and falls, we started a gradual constant ascent. A few places on the trail were a bit steeper. We hiked through conifers, hardwoods, laurels and rhododendrons; saw the valley aroun Benton and mountain peaks towering over the Hiwassee river. The top of the mountain was filled with communication towers and no real view, but was a good lunch site. The rest of the hike was all down hill, retracing our steps. It was a little longer, 8.9 miles, than advertised, but what a wonderful way to pass the day with blue sky and a cool breeze.
If you would like to see some photos taken during this hike, click here. If you are trying to view the photos through the TTA website and having trouble, please go direcvtly to the blog at www.sdctta.blogspot.com.