Join us for this brand new outing on the Oconee National Forest.

The Monticello Bottomland Woods is an uncommonly rich area of the Oconee National Forest. These woods are known for Atamasco lilies (also called rain lilies) and unusual rock formations called tors. Atamasco lilies (Zephyranthes atamasco) grow in boggy glades on stems about 15 inches tall with 2-inch white flowers. The tips of some of the lily blooms are magenta.

We can also look forward to woods full of dogwoods, which should be at their peak. Trilliums, native azaleas (Rhododendron canescens), buckeyes, and many other natives should also be in bloom, making this a wonderful time to be in the woods!

Date:

Saturday, April 11, 2009

Leader:

Donna Born, ForestWatch volunteer

Meeting time, place and directions:

10:30a.m. sharp, Monticello Square (meet in the park area in the center of the square). We'll carpool from there to the hike location.

From Atlanta, take I-20 East. Take Exit 98 onto GA Hwy 11 south to Monticello. Hwy 11 takes you to the town square. Monticello is 138 miles from Ellijay and 37 miles from Conyers. Carpooling is recommended and the hike leader will be glad to help you coordinate sharing rides to the meetup site.

NOTE: Donna may share contact info among hikers to facilitate carpooling to Monticello - so when you sign up, pease let us know if you DO NOT want your contact info shared with other hikers.

Outing Location:

Southeast of Atlanta. Monticello Bottomland Woods, Oconee National Forest, about 5 miles south of Monticello, GA.

Distance & Difficulty:

3 miles.  Easy.  This is an "in & out" hike with one stream crossing.

USGS Quadrangle:

Hillsboro

Bring:

Lunch, water, rain gear, walking staff if needed, and appropriate clothing and footwear. Camera if desired. (Allergic to bees/wasps? Remember your meds/epi-pen!)

Limit:

8

Rain Date:

Rain or shine

Pet Policy:

Thank you for not bringing your pet friends on Georgia ForestWatch outings.

Family Safe Policy:

Outings are a smoke, alcohol, and drug free setting, thanks.

Reserve your spot today!

Reservations required. This outing is free of charge, and open to everyone “first come, first served” up to the limit. Sign-up Deadline: 3pm Thurs prior to outing - but outings tend to fill up long before the deadline.

Provide your name, phone number (preferably cell if you'll have one with you on outing day) and your e-mail address when you sign up. 

NOTE: Donna may share contact info among hikers to facilitate carpooling to Monticello - so when you sign up, pease let us know if you DO NOT want your contact info shared with other hikers.

Contact Lori Martell at
LMartell [at] gafw [dot] org or call 706-635-8733.

 

ALSO SAVE THE DATE
FOR THIS WILD EVENT:

May 2, 2009 (Saturday):

Wild & Woolly Wine Tasting & Author-Fiddler Festival

Tiger Mountain Vineyards, Tiger, GA

Celebrate fine wine, music, and the written word.  Join us once again at the award-winning farm winery, Tiger Mountain Vineyards. Please mark your calendars and plan to attend this affordable fundraiser to benefit the work of Georgia ForestWatch.

Authors:
• Thomas Rain Crowe, The End of Eden: Writings of an Environmental Activist.
• Mildred White Greear, Moving Gone Dancing: A Book of Poetry that Took 87 Years to Write.
• Kathryn Kolb, Kathryn Kolb Photographs.
• John Lane, The Best of the Kudzu Telegraph, and Chattooga: Descending into the Myth of Deliverance River.
• George Ella Lyon, Don't You Remember?

• Janie P. Taylor, The Storyteller - Tales of Tiger Mountain

Fiddlers:
• John Harper Duncan, Asheville, North Carolina
• Marie Dunkle, Tiger, Georgia

• Kelly Smith, Salem, South Carolina

MORE INFO COMING SOON!

Invitations will be mailed to all ForestWatch members in April.