Summer can be quite a time to hike the trail. The heat index is often above 100 during July, August, and September, and it is not uncommon for them to report 120 degrees. Don't underestimate the humid stagnate heat of the south east, it can be quite miserable. But, on those days when it is only in the 90's, the trail can be quite rewarding. You might plan your day so that it crosses some of the larger creeks - nothing better than laying in the cool water on days like this. Mountain tops also might allow a little bit of a breeze - and keep your eye out for the flowers.

Bergamot - Herb

 These photos were taken July 18th and 19th 1999 along Section 6 and Section 7 of the trail. This part of section 6 is unique in that the trees are thinned out by logging in the past 30 years and the hills have stayed only partially wooded which allows a lot of light into the forest floor. This is probably the best, though certainly not the only, section to go if you want to see flowers. At the time the photos were taken it had been a very wet summer and everything was in bloom, usually there are some but not this many flowers in the middle of the summer.

Grass Flower - Herb