NOTE: Preregistration is required by noon on Friday April 11. Email Kathryn Stege at:
Field Trip Leader: Kathryn Stege
Description: We’ll walk the looped Rhododendron Trail past several nice cascades in a young piedmont forest, and up to the lovely stone Chenocetah Tower. We’ll have lunch at the top at the picnic tables, admire the view, and see the largest known wild population of Rhododendron minus, which is the star of this trip. Other good stuff is there too.
A paved road goes to the top, so anyone not wanting to hike the trail can drive up and meet us for lunch.
That’s it for botanizing, but I’ll lead anyone interested on the 1/2 mile drive to Nancy Town Lake, which is a well-known birding haven.
Also, let me know when you register if you want to paddle Lake Russell after the hike, and I’ll bring my canoe to paddle along with you. The lake is crystal clear, offers solitude, and the shore is lined with cool native plants.
Location & Directions: From Mt Airy, take paved Lake Russell Road down to Lake Russell (which will be on your left) and follow it past the boat ramp to the large parking lot on the left (before campground). Don’t put Lake Russell in your GPS, as it will likely take you to the big lake on the South Carolina border. Instead, put in Nancy Town Lake Recreation Area; just don’t turn left to it at the bottom of the hill, keep going straight to the big lake.
Meet At: The swimming beach parking lot on the north side of the lake, just 5 minutes from the trail head. National park passes do not absolve you from paying the parking fee, which is $5 per person, half for seniors. The payment bin is just across the parking lot at the information board. I usually can get cell coverage there.
Bathroom Facilities: Flush toilets at the swimming beach meeting place.
Walking Difficulty: This hike is moderate, 5 miles total, single track and some paved road along the lake. It’s a gradual uphill with two short steep eroded sections. The trail down is all downhill without steep sections (and also without waterfalls).
Bring: Lunch.
Contact: Kathryn Stege, cell 478-955-3422.