We haven't felt much like hiking lately - it's been a long dry summer with record heat and the worst drought in 50 years.  But, fall is just around the corner and we're hoping for enough rain to kick off a stunning bloom of fall mushrooms.  Please join us on the Fungus Foray, an easy hike celebrating the amazing variety of mushrooms and fungi that grow in our national forests.  A special welcome and thanks to Debra Davis, the newest addition to our group of talented volunteer hike leaders!  We anticipate this one will fill up very fast - so if you're interested act now.  Details are below.

Date:  Sunday, September 23, 2007

  

Leaders:  Debra Davis, Mycologist, Botanical Photographer, Georgia Master Naturalist, and Lori Martell, Georgia Forest Watch Outreach Director

Meeting time, place and directions: 

10:00 a.m. – Warwoman Dell Picnic Area Parking Lot.  From Clayton, GA, turn off U.S. 441 onto Warwoman Road.  Travel Warwoman Road for three miles.  Make a broad right turn into the Warwoman Dell Picnic area and travel the gravel road until it dead ends at the parking lot.

 
Outing Location:  Warwoman Dell Picnic Area, Chattahoochee National Forest in Rabun County (northeast portion of Georgia).

Distance & Difficulty: Total distance is about half a mile.  Easy hike at a snail's pace.  Great for adults, senior adults and families with older youth.  Very young children may find the extremely slow pace frustrating.  More appropriate for older youth that enjoy focusing in one area and learning fun facts.  At the end of the foray, there is an optional easy-moderate hike on a 0.6-mile loop.

USGS Quadrangle:  Rabun Bald

General Info:  

The Warwoman Dell Picnic Area is rich in historical significance and is known for its scenic beauty which includes a lush hemlock-hardwood forest, wildflowers, and beautiful Warwoman Creek Falls along the way.  We'll open your eyes to the beauty of mushrooms.  Our walk will begin on a lovely nature trail which is an easy 0.4 mile loop.  We will explore the area at a snail’s pace to observe and identify early fall fungi.  At the conclusion of the nature trail loop, we will briefly discuss the historical significance of the area and will walk for a short time on a road which was the site of a pre-Civil War era railroad, than never came to fruition.

Optional hike: Depending on the time spent on the loop trail, we can opt to hike to Becky Branch Falls for those who are interested in an extended adventure.   The falls are reached from the parking area via a 0.6 mile loop trail. The walk is easy-moderate and our pace will be slow.

Bring:  Lunch, water, rain gear, walking staff if needed, and appropriate clothing and footwear.  Camera, and 10x hand lens is helpful but not required. (Allergic to bees/wasps? Remember your meds/epi-pen)

Limit:  12

Facilities:  Restroom facilities (chemical toilet) are available on site at the parking area.  A covered pavilion is available for our lunch break, or we can eat along the walk.

Rain Date:  Rain or Shine.  If a thunderstorm interrupts the Foray, safety comes first and everyone will return to their vehicles.

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! 

This outing is free of charge, and open to everyone “first come, first served” up to the limit.

Sign-up Deadline:  3pm Thursday prior to outing.

Provide your name, phone number (preferably cell) and your e-mail address when you sign up.

Contact Lori Martell via e-mail at lmartell@gafw.org

or via phone at 706-635-8733.