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Blue Ridge Bartram Trail Conservancy

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Bartram Trail trailhead at Russell Bridge

Walking With Bartram: Section 1 – Sandy Ford to Russell Bridge

October 28th, 2022

Trail report:

This group for the first section hike of another Walking With Bartram journey thoroughly enjoyed the autumn views along the way. We met at Russell Bridge on HWY 28 for quick introductions and shuttle planning, then off we went to Sandy Ford. Easier day of shuttling this way.

Plenty of parking for this group and just before 10am, we were gathered around at the trailhead for a reading from Bartram’s Travels from Brent Martin.

TRAILHEAD NOTE: The road up to the Sandy Ford trailhead is mostly traversable by all vehicles. There is a creek crossing (Upper Dick’s Creek) that everyone successfully navigated, even a Mazda Miata! Please use caution when crossing this creek!

The weather was near perfect warming up from the 40’s to near 70 degrees in the middle of the day. Plenty of sun and just the right amount of wispy clouds created great viewing opportunities along the trail sharing the Chattooga River corridor.

We hiked at our own pace, stopping occasionally for a little Bartram story to be woven into the day. Lunch at Earls Ford provided a great sound of flowing water as a backdrop while folks chatted over their snacks.

Most of the trail was in really great condition with some recent volunteer work recently completed. With the exception of the Dick’s Creek Bridge being out for some time, all other creek and river crossings were in great shape.

Enjoy the photos and if you’re interested in joining us for the next hike in November, please visit this link to RSVP. We did have a record turn-out for this one and if there is a demand for it, we’ll figure out how to offer another outing!

We look forward to seeing you on the trail!

Photo Gallery

Dicks Creek Falls near the Bartram Trail
Looking down the Chattooga River just below Dicks Creek Falls.
View from top of Dicks Creek Falls looking upstream
A break in the trees opened a view down the Chattooga River
View from top of Dicks Creek Falls
Brent Martin telling a Bartram story while on the trail
Looking at the confluence of the Chattooga River just below Dicks Creek Falls.
Quiet section of the river
Horseback riders approaching Earls Ford crossing
Walking with Bartram hikers on the trail
Walking with Bartram hiker on the trail
Walking With Bartram hikers on section 1, October 28, 2022
Looking up the West Fork of the Chattooga River from the steel bridge
Confluence of West Fork and Chattooga Rivers
Philip at the Russell Bridge Trailhead

Published on:
October 30, 2022

Categories: Bartram Trail Reports, Walking With BartramTags: bartram trail, chattooga, educate, hwy 28, inspire, recreate, sandy ford, walking with bartram, wild and scenic

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Blue Ridge Bartram Trail Conservancy

51 Cowee School Drive
Franklin, NC 28734

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