My site at Gee Creek Campground. Really nice with paved roads and all pull-through sites. No hook-ups, but still a great campground for $13 a night. Note my strawberry-growing experiment hanging on the ladder. I'll let you know how that turns out.
Boat ramp to the Hiwassee River. The river is high and swift, so I don't plan to launch my kayak here.
When the water is low, the remains of an ancient fishing weir can be seen in the river. It is thought to predate the Cherokee Tribe.
You can just see the rocks on the opposite side of the river that is part of the weir.
Thistle checks out a fishing spot.
The loop trail around the campground is all abloom in wildflowers.
And where there are wildflowers, there are butterflies.
The dogwood trees are past their peak, but I did see one tree in bloom across the river.
This is a yellow trillium, native to the area.
The forest floor is carpeted with them.
A common name for this trillium is Bashful Wakerobin because the blossom hides beneath its three leaflets, making me stand on my head to get a photo. So it's blurry.
Not sure what these white flowers are.
Spiderwort
Nature's watering bowl. The hole is full of water.
Crimson Clover, considered invasive by some, was brought from Europe and grown as cattle feed.
Butterflies like it too.
And so do bees.
Tulip Tree blossom that has dropped to the ground.
So you were wondering why they call it Gee Creek Campground weren't you? The next hike will take us to Gee Creek Falls. You might want to have lunch first; I did.
The trail follows Gee Creek.
Primitive campsite beside the creek.
More wildflowers.
We cross over the creek on this bridge.
View from the bridge.
The trail continues uphill. The creek has a series of cascades along this section.
Remains of a bridge support. A road once crossed the creek here.
A lot of trees down after the recent storms.
At one time a massive landslide sent huge boulders into the creek just below the falls.
Gee Creek Falls. At the base, the water flows under the landslide.
A few critters that live near the falls.
Water coming out beneath the landslide.
The trail was not real difficult, but you must watch where you step. These rocks could turn an ankle quickly.
Gee Creek falls. Enjoy.
Lot of water coming down that creek! No wonder the river is so deep and swift. Gosh but you find the best places! One of these days I'm gonna follow you for a while. LOL!
ReplyDeleteLovely!
ReplyDeleteLooks like a lovely place to visit. I agree, you find the best places.
ReplyDeleteI also agree you find the best places. I think I have threatened to follow you around before. Just haven't managed it yet.
ReplyDeleteHello my name is Bonnie, I was raised at Delano right there at Gee Creek and went fishing in the river, we played in that river on inter tubes back then and we lived to tell about it. And I remember before the park was built those woods were corn and soybean fields.We ran all over those woods as kids and walked to Sartin's store there on 411 highway. If you think its pretty now should of seen when we kids. The polk salad grew wild and we cooked that stuff.Picked some of the biggest blackberries you ever saw along the railroad tracks. Back then we sold our berries for 50 cents a gallon. Went to the store and bought cigarettes and RC drink. Hey those were the Hot days no air conditioning but we played in the creek and cooled off. Enjoyed your pictures ...and I was one of Goforth kids. See ya
ReplyDeleteAnd one more thing better watch out for bears they come down into the Gee Creek Park!!
ReplyDelete