November 26, 2024
Sourwood Trail at Lake Russell
It was a good day for a hike with mild, 60 degree temperatures and mostly sunny skies. Despite some mixed postings by USFS about the trails being open or closed and the gate to Nancytown Picnic Area being closed, we decided to hike this trail nevertheless. The trail was in very good shape without obstructions. In fact we saw evidence of recent clearing of just a few blowdowns. This is an easy hike with no steep climbs and a generally soft, mostly root and rock-free, path. The trail is well blazed with occasional trail signs. Nancy Town Falls was very accessible, also showing some clearing of blowdowns. However, with the still ongoing extended dry spell, there was limited water flowing over the falls. No wildflowers, but it is always nice to hike this trail.
Today's hikers (L-R): Claudia Pardue, Ken Pardue, Jenny Bell, Mitch Brown, Gita Patel, Matt Henderson & Toby, Allyson Aldrich, Angela Evans, Gregg Nuessly, Jane Brown & Squirt, John Cape & Mike Bell,
The route
4.2 mi · 390 ft climbing · 2h 43m out, 2h 21m walking · 1.8 mph moving
Elevation
Hover over the profile to see the elevation and steepness. Your position will be shown on the map.
- Steepness
- Gentle under 5%
- Moderate 5–10%
- Steep 10–15%
- Very steep over 15%
22 photos are shown on the map where they were taken — click one to see it full size.
Photos (22)
Nancytown Falls . . . not a lot of water, but still scenic. Today's hikers (L-R): Claudia, Ken, Jenny, Mitch, Gita, Matt & Toby, Allyson, Angela, Gregg, Jane & Squirt, John & Mike, Headed up the road from our parking area to the trailhead. Looks like we're headed in the right direction. Good signage. Nice trail. . . . looking good so far. One of several bridges, all in good condition, but a bit wet and slippery. A thoughtful reminder. I'm sure a well intentioned "artsy cairn," but not needed for trail marking here, so I am not in favor of building them, but I didn't knock it down either. As John Cape pointed out, these young oak leaves are a pleasant sight. A curious decoration atop the trail sign just after crossing Nancytown Road, A continuing "easy on the feet" trail. Not a lot of showy fungi to see today with the ongoing dry conditions. Just a little further. Squirt is being her usual calm self. Some people will just not get out of the way of a good picture. Looking downstream, for some reason, no one wanted to join me a the base of Nancytown Falls. Toby is an ardent "fisher-dog" and loves getting wet, too. A beaver dam on Nancytown Creek. A curious quintuplet trunked tree . . . or at least appears to be so. A couple of small cascades on Nancytown Creek as we return. Let's take the trail by the old picnic shelter on Nancytown Lake. A final view of Nancytown Lake as we finish. Where are the usual turtles sunbathing on logs in the lake?