Sat, Oct 9 2010 - AOC’s 10th Anniversary - Saturday Morning Gold Branch Hike (View Original Event Details) Trip Leader(s): Courtney H, Clay White Participants: Clay White, Courtney H, Tom H, Minah, Janice H, Pedro R, Tatiana, Donna M, Pratima, Bob L, Dawn, Joe, Emily R, Jeanne, Karen

Click for Album

Write Up:
Saturday's weather was perfect for our hike along the river at the Gold Branch unit of the Chattahoochee National Recreation Area. Clay did a great job as a new trip leader, and I was happy to have my second opportunity to co-lead. Tom, Minah, Janice, Pedro, Tatiana, Donna, Pratima, Bob, Joe, Emily, Jeanne, Karen, Dawn and her two golden retrievers Prince and Peaches made up our terrific group.

Fall was evident all along the trail. Crimson, gold and burgundy leaves were lit up by the morning sunshine. Red maple, black gum and sourwoods are the first trees to change color in the fall, and they all looked spectacular. Hearts-a-bustin shrubs (also called strawberry bushes) were the jewels of the woods, and our photos don't due them justice. Some autumn blooming wildflowers (like the lovely lilac aster) provided additional pops of color. We were reminded that Thanksgiving is approaching when we spotted clumps of turkey tail mushrooms everywhere.

Bull Sluice Lake was alive with activity. We were delighted to see a white swan, a great blue heron, mallard ducks, Canadian geese and a turtle that was sunning itself on a log. Please be sure to check out our event photos.

Courtney Harjung

---