Posted under: North Georgia.
Meet: 10:00 AM, FS Rd 49 dead-end
Description: High altitude mountain environment. Optional short, but steep off-trail from Grassy Mountain tower to observe the state endangered starflower (Trientalis borealis) and other cove species (We will visit a week later than when we last came here, so starflower may be past.).
Directions: Allow about 1 hour from Chatsworth or Ellijay to reach Grassy Mountain.
From Chatsworth: US 411 north to Eton. Turn right at light onto CCC Camp Road (Holly Creek Rd) to FS Rd 68 toward Conasauga Lake, then left on FS Rd 49. Park at end of road.
From Ellijay: GA 52 west approximately 5 miles to Gates Chapel Rd. Turn right and follow FS Rd 90 to FS Rd 68 at Holly Creek gap, then same as above.
Walking: Moderate to strenuous (Strenuous part is the optional off-trail bit at the top.), 2 miles plus.
Facilities: Only what nature provides.
Bring: Lunch, water, bug spray. Boots and long pants recommended for optional off-trail walking.
Trip Leader: Rich Reaves, rich.reaves@att.net
Photos by Rich & Anita Reaves
Posted under: North Georgia.
Meet: 9:30 AM (Note early time), Pinhoti Trail Parking Area on FS90 
Description: We will drive along the Forest Service roads stopping to look at flowers along the way. There will be several short excursions form the cars, always along the road. We can expect to find several trilliums, 4-leaved milkweed (Asclepias quadrifolia), wild geranium (Geranium maculatum), Solomon’s seal (Polygonatum biflorum), lily-of-the-valley (Convallaria majuscula), wood betony (Pedicularis canadensis), fire pink (Silene virginica), and much more. The last couple of years the Indian pink (Spigelia marilandica) has been very nice.
Directions: Take I-575/ GA 515 north to East Ellijay to turn left on GA 52. At ~5 mi west of the square on GA 52, turn right on Gates Chapel Rd. When pavement ends, take Wilderness Trail/ FR 90 (dirt road to the right – almost straight ahead). At ~0.9 mi do not turn left at WMA sign for Pinhoti Trail. Continue 0.1 mi to Pinhoti Trail Parking on right on FS90.Carpooling is encouraged to minimize our parking footprint on the narrow unpaved roads.
Walking: Easy, probably all within 500 feet of cars. 
Facilities Only what nature provides.
Bring: Lunch, water, bug spray.
Trip Leader: Rich Reaves, rich.reaves@att.net
Photos by Rich & Anita Reaves
Posted under: North Georgia.
Meet: 10:00 AM, East Cowpens Trailhead
Description: This will be an exploratory walk high in the Cohutta Wilderness along the flanks and near the crest of Cowpen Mountain (4,151 feet). We should see sweet azalea (Rhododenron arboreum) and flame azalea (R. calendulaceum) in flower. We will walk, approximately, to the intersection with the Panther Creek Trail and back, exploring anything interesting that we come across.
Directions: From Ellijay: GA 52 west approximately 5 miles to Gates Chapel Rd. Turn right and follow FS Rd 90 to FS Rd 68 at Holly Creek Gap. Turn right onto FS 68 and continue ‘up’ until you come to the 3-way intersection at Potato Patch Mountain. Turn right onto FS 64 and proceed 5 miles to the East Cowpen Trailhead.
Walking: Moderate to strenuous, but at a slow pace. Distance will be about 4 miles round-trip.
Facilities: Strategically placed boulders, trees, and shrubs.
Bring: Lunch, water, hand lens, tick mediation, curiosity. This is a great place to see and hear a variety of warblers and vireos, so a pair of binoculars might come in handy.
Trip Leader: Hal Massie, massiefarm@aol.com 478-957-6095 (cell phone reception at East Cowpens is almost negligible)
Posted under: Other states.
Meet: 10:00 AM
Field Trip Leader: Eddi Minche
Description: This outing ambles along the Kimsey Creek Trail which is a wonderfully varied path that follows creeks, crosses a meadow and has a variety of wildflowers, even in June. The path is mostly shady and with the exception of one steep climb at the beginning, quite a moderate walk. The path ends at the Appalachian Trail just below Standing Indian. The distance is 3.7 to that point but we may decide to turn around for the return before that point.
Location and Directions: Standing Indian Campground, west of Franklin, NC
Go north on Hwy 441 to Franklin, NC. Go west on Hwy 64 for apx 12 miles. Turn left on Old Hwy 64 (sign for Standing Indian at intersection). Go apx 3 miles, turn right on FS 67 (sign for Standing Indian Campground). Take left fork at sign – Backcountry Information Center. Meet at bulletin board.
Bring: rain gear, water, lunch, personal items. Boots recommended, depending on weather, trail probably muddy, wet feet a strong possibility. Walking is moderate overall, but we are, after all, in the mountains.
Contact: Eddi Minche, eddmin@gmail.com Phone: 678-313-2582. Cell phone coverage day of outing iffy.
Posted under: North Georgia.
Field Trip Leader: Tom Govus
Meet: 10:00 at the parking area for the AT at Hogpen Gap on the Richard Russell Scenic Highway.
Description: We will first hike up to the crest of Wildcat Ridge and examine rock outcrop communities and a dwarf oak – purple rhododendron woodland, taking in spectacular views of the Southern Blue Ridge. We will then use the AT to climb to the summit of Cowrock Mountain and look at a basic cedar woodland and additional outcrops. The purple rhododendron may still be in bloom. We also should see fameflower (Talinum teretifolium – now treated as Phemeranthus), crag-jangle (Heuchera villosa), wafer-ash (Ptelea trifoliata), mountain dwarf-dandelion (Krigia montana), and creeping aster (Eurybia surculosa). We will also pass through a rich mesic oak – hickory forest and see some nutrient-demanding herbaceous species.
Directions: From Helen: take Hwy 75-A south to its junction with the Richard Russell Scenic Highway (GA 348) and go north to the highest point (about 6.5 miles) where the AT crosses and there is a large parking area and kiosk. From Blairsville: go south on US Hwy 19-129 about 7.5 miles to its junction with GA 180, and turn left, then go about 0.9 mile east to the northern end of Richard Russell Scenic Hwy (GA Hwy 348), then turn right and follow Hwy 348 to Hog Pen Gap, the highest point on the highway and look for parking area and kiosk on left (about 6.8 miles). You can also reach the Richard Russell Hwy from Cleveland or Dahlonega.
Bathroom Facilities: none
Walking Difficulty: This hike is moderately strenuous and will involve a walk of about 4 miles, and climbs of about 800 feet in elevation twice.
Bring: Lunch, snacks, and water. Remember to dress for the weather and wear comfortable hiking shoes. You may wish to bring hiking poles, binoculars, hand lens, notebook, and camera.
Contact: Tom Govus (H) 706-276
Posted under: South Georgia.
Meet: 10:00 AM 
Field Trip Leader: Bobby Hattaway
Description: The Big Hammock Natural Area, acquired by the state in 1972, includes an ancient sand dune system adjacent to the Altamaha River floodplain. Our trip will follow a 1.3 mile trail through several different plant communities that are controlled by available water and fire. Among other interesting plants, we will see Georgia plume (Elliottia racemosa), possibly in flower, and myrtle oak (Quercus myrtifolia), a disjunct population of a Florida species. More info is at: http://www.georgiawildlife.com/node/2658
Location and Directions: Big Hammock Natural Area is located 12 miles SW of Glennville. From Glennville, take GA Hwy 144 for about 6 miles to an intersection known as five points. At the stop sign, veer to the left and continue (still on GA 144) for about another 3.5 miles to Mack Phillips Rd. Take a left onto that road and travel 1.8 miles to the parking area on the right. This is the location of the trail head.
Meet At: At Big Hammock Natural Area trailhead off Mack Phillips Road.
Bathroom Facilities: None at the natural area. You may want to stop in Glennville.
Walking Difficulty: Easy to moderate.
Bring: Lunch, snacks, and water. Insect repellent and tick spray are also advisable. Good walking shoes, long pants, and a hat would also be appropriate. We should be in the shade most of the time.
Contact: Bobby Hattaway at 912-653-2228 (home) or 912-481-3011 (cell) on the day of trip (but no guarantee of coverage in the boonies). Email <botanikman@g-net.net>
Posted under: Middle Georgia.
Meet: 10:00 AM
Trip Leader: Tom Patrick
Description: On this trip to Oaky Woods, we will look at the butterflies and midsummer wildflowers on our largest examples of blackland prairies or Georgia Eocene chalk prairies, as they are sometimes called. We will have a butterfly expert and will spend the morning on as many prairies as possible. After lunch at our vehicles, we will take a 2-mile easy walk to the Grand Prairie to continue our butterfly and wildlfower hunt. Depending on summer rains, the prairies may be full of yellow prairie coneflower (Ratibida pinnata) and have assorted milkweeds, legumes and composites. Be prepared to see some neat plant-insect interactions. 
Directions: Meet in Bonaire northeast corner gas station/Taco Bell at the intersection of GA Hwy. 96 and US Hwy. 129. Take Exit 142 east from I-75, or travel south 5 miles from Warner Robins on US Hwy. 129.
Difficulty: Easy to moderate, on roadsides and following trails.
Facilities: Meeting place has ample facilities. None on site.
Bring: Lunch or snacks, tick repellent, easy walking shoes or hiking boots, with two pair of socks. Bring hand lens and butterfly binoculars.
Contact: Tom Patrick, tom.patrick@dnr.state.ga.us (706) 476-4541 (cell)
Posted under: Road Trip; Roadside Botanizing; South Georgia.
July 13 and 14, 2013, Roadside Botanizing: Waycross to the St. Marys River (Saturday) and eastern Okefenokee Swamp (Sunday) 
Saturday Trip: Meet: 10:00 AM, Hampton Inn Waycross
Description: We will travel along Hwy 82 take 301 south to Folkston, then take GA 23 south past the entrance to the Okefenokee all the way to the St. Marys River (the southernmost point in GA). Then take GA 185 north to GA 94, then east on GA 94 back to GA 23 and a return to the hotel We will investigate interesting stuff along the road such as few-flowered milkweed (Asclepias lanceolata), short-stemmed meadow beauty (Rhexia petiolata), Pickering’s dawnflower (Stylisma pickeringi), snowy orchid (Platanthera nivea), yellow meadow beauty (Rhexia lutea), and Bartram’s rose gentian (Sabatia bartramii). We also may re-encounter large-flowered rose gentian (Sabatia grandiflora).
Directions: Take I-75 south to US 82. Take US 82 east to Waycross. Hampton Inn is on US 82 just past intersection with US 1.
Bring: Lunch to eat on the road – purchase along the way will be difficult due to extremely sparse pickings, water, bug spray..
Walking: Short excursions along the roadside, never out of sight of the vehicles – can be muddy or wet. 
Facilities: Possible at stores/stops along route, but unlikely after leaving hotel.
Carpooling is encouraged to make pulling off easier for our roadside botanizing.
Trip Leader: Rich Reaves, rich.reaves@att.net
Posted under: Road Trip; South Georgia.
July 14, 2013, Roadside Botanizing: Eastern Okefenokee Swamp (Sunday) 
Sunday’s Trip:
Meet: 7:30 AM (Note Early Start Time – we go in search of night-flowering wild petunia in the early morning before the flowers drop prior to heading off into the swamp.)
Meet at: Hampton Inn Waycross
Description: We will start the day heading back to 301 south to look for the Ruellia. After that we will head down through Folkston and continue on GA 23 to the Okefenokee NWR (ENTRY FEE REQUIRED). At the Okefenokee, we will Drive to the Chesser Island parking area (stopping along the way to view the plants) and walk the boardwalk, providing current work on the boardwalk is completed – if not, we’ll find other interested walks or sights. On the way back north at the end of the day, we may make an excursion along GA 177 south for some cool roadside stuff there.
We will investigate interesting stuff along the road such as non-blooming pitcher plants (Sarracenia minor and Sarracenia psitticina), more snowy orchids and rose gentians, spoonflower (Peltandra sagittifolia), narrow-leaf barbara’s buttons (Marshallia tenuifolia) loblolly bay (Gordonia lasianthus) and others.
Directions: same as July 13th
Bring: Lunch to eat on the road, water, bug spray.
Walking: Short excursions along the roadside and the prairie boardwalk at Okefenokee NWR. Usually within sight of the vehicles (except boardwalk) but it can be muddy/wet.
Facilities: Possible at stores/stops along route, but unlikely after leaving hotel.
Carpooling is encouraged to make pulling off easier for our roadside botanizing.
Trip Leader: Rich Reaves, rich.reaves@att.net
Posted under: North Georgia.
Meet: 1:00 pm NOTE LATE START TIME! at Durham Herb Walk sign, park along road
Field Trip Leader: Debbie Cosgrove
Description: We will visit the Durham Herb Walk in Greene County, located close to the Historic Scull Shoals Mill Village. This herb walk has been developed by the Friends of Scull Shoals to honor the 19th century physician, Lindsey Durham. Many native plants already existed on this land including Sparkleberry and Wild Ginger. After the Herb Walk was developed, the rare plant Carolina Prairie trefoil (Lotus helleri) was found in 2011. Coralberry is also found on one of the trails. After seeing these less common plants, we will drive to Falling Creek Horse Trail in the Oconee National Forest. Highlights of this trail are Stoneroot or Horsebalm (Collinsonia anisata) and Joe Pye-weed in a Short Leaf pine forest. If we get to the creek, there are other species that grow in rich forests. Several species of Desmodium and Lespedeza may be flowering.
Location & Directions: From Athens, take Ga Highway 15 south through Watkinsvile towards Greensboro, crossing the OconeeRiver. A mile past the river, turn left onto Macedonia Rd. Take Macedonia Rd. for 2.2 miles and turn left onto graveled Forest Service Road 1234. The herb walk is a quarter mile on the left.
From Atlanta, take I-20 east to the Greensboro exit for Ga Highway 44. Go north two miles into downtown Greensboro. At the traffic light downtown, take Ga Highway 15 to the left, and go towards Watkinsville and Athens. Follow Ga 15 about 12 miles to Macedonia Rd. on right.
Facilities: None
Walking Difficulty: first hike is easy, second hike is easy to moderate
Bring: water, snacks, and insect repellant
Contact: Debbie Cosgrove 706-742-7331, cell 706-338-4964 <turtle127@windstream.net>
Facilities: Only what nature provides.
