Note:  Preregistration is NOT required.

However, if you do not already have a Georgia Lands Pass, a fishing or hunting license you will need to purchase one or risk being fined.

Here’s the site: https://georgiawildlife.com/crockford-pigeon-mountain-wma

Field Trip Leader:   Richard Ware.

Description:   We will explore the Pocket of Pigeon Mountain, featuring the best display of early spring wildflowers in the state of Georgia, including Virginia Bluebells (Mertensia virginica), Celandine Poppy (Stylophorum diphyllum), Bloodroot (Sanguinaria canadensis), Sharp-lobed Hepatica (Hepatica acutiloba), Trout Lilies (Erythronium americanum ssp. harperi), Dutchman’s Breeches (Dicentra cucullaria), and Phacelia (Phacelia bipinnatifida). among many, many others. After lunch we will walk to the top of the falls observing the myriad of wildflowers along the old road. Time permitting, we may extend the trip to the Blue Hole area on the east side of the mountain to look for Twinleaf (Jeffersonia diphylla), Lanceleaf Trillium (Trillium lancifolium), Goldenseal (Hydrastis canadensis) and a few more rarities.

Directions:   This field trip is in northwest Georgia in the Crockford/Pigeon Mountain Wildlife Mgt. Area. Take I-75  to exit 320, Hwy 136 west, and follow  signs to outskirts of LaFayette, GA.  Cross over U.S. Hwy. 27 onto GA 193 into downtown LaFayette. Turn left on South Main Street then turn right in a few blocks staying on Hwy. 193 west for approx. 7 miles to Davis Crossroads.  Turn left onto Hog Jowl Rd. Travel on Hog Jowl Rd approx. 2.5 miles and watch for Blue Bird Rd. Just past Blue Bird at the top of a small hill turn left onto Pocket Rd. This road is narrow and soon becomes gravel. The road ends in 1.2 mi. at the parking area for the Pocket boardwalk.

Meet At:  10:00 at the parking area for the Pocket boardwalk.

Bathroom Facilities:   None (fast food restaurants on North Main Street in LaFayette).

Walking Difficulty:   The boardwalk is easy but  the rest of the trail is rocky and moderate.

Bring:  Lunch, snacks, & water. Remember to dress for the weather and wear comfortable hiking shoes. You may wish to bring binoculars, hand lens, notebook, and camera.

Contact:   Richard Ware, , (Home) 706-232-3435; (Cell) 706-766-5143.