Gwinnett County-Harbins Park: Hiking Trail. Part 2, Footbridge to Footbridge

The area of the park I had walked so far were open and relatively dry. Although it was sunny when I started out, the clouds had rolled in and the sky was gray. In this section between the first and the second footbridge, I was going to encounter a different ecosystem in this eastern section.

The trail immediately past the bridge went straight uphill for about 50 yards – it seemed like forever – before it turned, climbed a little and leveled out. The trail surface was bare and slippery after the recent snow. Several people had walked it before me and you could see where they had slipped frequently. I finally stepped off the trail and walked in the softer soil. It was hard going but better than slipping. Not necessarily a good trail to plan to hike in wet weather.

The trail rolled up and down and twisted and turned pleasantly.

Then the trail then zigzagged eastwards into a wetter area. This was characterized by frequent and larger patches of moss than I'd seen previously.

I found this clump of Old Man's Beard Lichen (Usnea sp.) lying by the trail.

There were several of these tree trunks with appendages that look like shark fins. I think they may be Eastern Red Cedar (Juniperus virginiana) but I’m not sure. If anyone can solve this mystery I’d appreciate it.

The areas was thick with American Holly (Ilex opaca) trees. The area had an eerie atmosphere. I expected a mist to rise at any moment.

A few spikes of Silver Plume grass (Saccharum alopecuroides) seemed out of place in an open area on the trail.

I wonder who lives in this burrow. The walls were freshly disturbed; it's not abandoned.

Somebody has been hunting for insects in these holes in a Loblolly Pine (Pinus taeda) snag.

This eastern, circular loop is the section of trail that passed through the holly forest.

Leaves of the Cranefly Orchid (Tipularia discolor). The leaves grow during the winter and spring but die back before the orchid blooms in late June-early July. I’ve only seen two small patches of leaves in Harbins Park so far.

Arriving at the second footbridge. These are relatively new, well-constructed ‘fancy’ footbridges compare with most encountered in parks. The ‘planks’ are recycled plastic; hence the warning that they may be slippery when wet or icy.
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Resources:
- Gwinnett County Government: Harbins Park

Related posts:
- Gwinnett County-Harbins Park: Hiking Trail. Part 1, Trailhead To Footbridge #1
- Gwinnett County-Harbins Park: Trail Trip #1 (Part 1)
- Gwinnett County-Harbins Park: Trail Trip #1 (Part 2)

Gwinnett County-Harbins Park: Hiking Trail. Part 1, Trailhead To Footbridge #1

I decided to walk the Hiking Trail since I’d inadvertently taken the equestrian trail on my first visit. The first section is from the trail head to the first footbridge.

The trail.

It was sunny when I set out on the trail. The sunshine added to the contrast in browns and greens in this section of pine forest.

I saw a few of these small mushrooms. They blended in well among the leaves on an embankment. I almost missed them.

The ‘infamous’ intersection of the equestrian trail with the hiking trail. On the previous walk, I turned right onto the equestrian trail instead of walking straight ahead.

The variety of textures of the tree trunks is continuously fascinating. Each view has its own character.

In contrast to the beginning of the trail that was carpeted with pine needles, most of the trail was thickly carpeted with oak leaves.

A few trees haven't dropped their leaves. This is probably an American Beech (Fagus grandifolia). These are one of the few trees that doesn't drop its leaves and provide a nice contrast to the leafless trees.

Another lichen; probably a Cladonia sp. that is in the process of fruiting.

A patch of moss that is starting to fruit. Unlike the moss I saw on the equestrian trail, this patch wasn’t damaged by the recent snowfall.

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A nice specimen of Turkey Tail fungus (Trametes versicolor).

Probably another American Beech.

On the long approach along the contour of the ridge before turning and dropping down to the first footbridge. This one of the few places where you can see long sections of the trail ahead.

Arriving at the first footbridge.
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Resources:
- Gwinnett County Government: Harbins Park

Related posts:
- Gwinnett County-Harbins Park: Trail Trip #1 (Part 1)
- Gwinnett County-Harbins Park: Trail Trip #1 (Part 2)

Gwinnett County-Harbins Park: Trail Trip #1 (Part 2)

Once out of the pine forest at the beginning, the trail wound through an open deciduous forest that was dominated by oaks and Sweetgums (Liquidambar styraciflua). The landscape was a mixture of browns except for patches of moss. Pines dominated for a good distance of the second part of the trail.

Cut logs stacked between tree trunks. At this time of year, when the trees are bare, ordinary objects provide accents and welcome diversions in the woods.

There were some nice Turkey’s Tail fungi (Trametes versicolor).

I was struck by the number of different lichens I saw along this section of the trail, many of which were fruiting. I’m not an expert on lichens so my identifications are best guesses. An corrections would be appreciated.

A Pixie Cup lichen (Cladonia sp.).

Some small patches of Dixie Reindeer (Cladina subtenuis = Cladonia subtenuis) or Reindeer (C. rangiferina) lichen.

British Soldier lichen (Cladonia cristatella) fruiting bodies .

Mosses were beginning to fruit too. These had been damaged by the snowfall.

Another marker on the trail. These signs are a comforting connection when you’re walking alone on winding trails in the woods where there are few landmarks.

A large slab of stone provided a welcome seat to rest.

I hadn’t seen much evidence of wildflowers in the woods. I don’t recognize these seedpods but I saw similar seedpods in several places along the trail. it’ll be interesting to check them out later in the year.

*****

Another fruiting lichen – a foliose form. My guess is that this might be Parmotrema submarginale.

The trail I had walked. I like to carry a handheld GPS receiver when I walk a trail in an area that I don’t know. That, in combination with a map, gives me confidence that I’m where I think I am, particularly in woods where there are no landmarks to use as reference points.

This unpaved trail in Harbins Park was a pleasure to walk; it was an easy trail a little over a mile long. I enjoyed the texture of the tree trunks and the different shades of brown in the winter woods. Although I made a wrong turn onto the equestrian trail rather than stay on the hiking trail, I was able to determine where I was and continue on the ‘new’ trail with confidence.
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Resources:
- Gwinnett County Government: Harbins Park
- A Guide to Twelve Common & Conspicuous Lichens of Georgia’s Piedmont
- Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Wildlife Resources Division: Lichens of Georgia

Related posts:
- Gwinnett County-Harbins Park: Trail Trip #1 (Part 1)

Gwinnett County-Harbins Park: Trail Trip #1 (Part 1)

I decided to check out Harbins Park in Gwinnett County. It’s not too far from home and easily accessible from either GA-316 or GA-81.

The park is located on the south-facing slope of a ridge above the Alcovy River. The trails wind through pine or deciduous forests. (The 'A' marker is the intersection of Bold Springs Road and GA-81).

The park has a couple of paved trails (thick gray on the map); the Meadow Loop Trail is a 1-mile that circles south of the park entrance and another trail that goes down to the equestrian area. The hiking trail is accessed from the Meadow Loop Trail, near the 0.5-mile marker.

Beyond the paved trails there are unpaved hiking (black), equestrian (orange) and cycling (blue) trails. The signs indicate intended us. Some trails are marked for use by hikers, equestrians and cyclists; others, such as the hiking trail is intended only for hikers. In addition, each sign has a Help Locator number. In case of an emergency, a call to 911 with the closest locator number will bring help quickly.

The route I took. I wanted to start with the hiking trail and investigate the other trails later. I took a photograph of the map but hadn’t mastered it and turned onto the equestrian trail rather than continuing on the hiking trail. As it turned out, this was a good introduction to the park.

I started on the Meadow Loop Trail in a counterclockwise direction from the parking lot. This trail winds through a deciduous forest. There are markers at each quarter mile on this trail.

With the occasional Holly tree.

Starting out along the unpaved hiking trail. This area had Loblolly Pines (Pinus taeda) and the trail was covered with pine needles.

Occasionally there were patches of moss.

Another section of the woods and trail.

Dead trees have been felled and decorate the trail.

A small Witch’s Butter (Tremella aurantica) fungus on a twig lying in the middle of the trail. Unlike the moss, this was the only Witch’s Butter I saw.

Some small patches of snow lingered from the Christmas night snowfall.

A wildflower that is green in spite of the cold. I think it’s Dwarf Cinquefoil (Potentilla canadensis). I’ll have to wait until April when this blooms to confirm the identification.

More woods and trail.

The Emergency Exit sign at the ‘half-way’ point in this walk. A trail, green on my trail map, runs from the beginning of the unpaved trail down to the hiking trail. This provides an opportunity to leave the trail and return to the paved trail or to access sections of the trail without having to walk the complete trail.
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Resources:
Gwinnett County Government: Harbins Park