April 18, 2006
| This week’s hike was on the Sosebee Cove Trail followed by the nearby Coosa Backcountry Trail. The Sosebee Cove Trail is a short nature trail loop through the most lush wildflower environment that we ever see. It is truly spectacular with countless wildflowers and giant trees. After visiting Sosebee Cove and taking many photos, we then hiked a portion of the Coosa Backcountry Trail. Both of these trails are on Highway 180 (Wolfpen Gap Rd) near Vogel State Park.
HIKERS – John Bellamy, Jack Jacobi, Bryan Lambert, Wayne Miller, Bruce O’Connor, Jeanne O’Connor, Bob Presley, Donna Presley, Tony Presley, Dan Ross, Doug Russell, Bob Thompson, David Whitaker and Geri Whitaker. TRAIL INFO. – Both trails are in great condition and we considered today’s hike moderately easy. Total hiking distance today, approx. 6.5 miles. Directions: Take highway 129 N. out of Cleveland, GA and continue past Neels Gap and Vogel State Park . About a quarter mile past Vogel, turn left (west) on GA Hwy. 180 and travel 4-5 miles. Look for the Sosebee Cove sign on the right. Next, we accessed the Coosa Backcountry trail back down the road about a quarter mile toward Vogel State Park. The tral crosses Hwy 180 here. Another great day for a hike! Cloudy early turning fair later with temperatures ranging from the low 50’s to the mid 60’s F. FLOWERS IN BLOOM: Silverbells, Squirrel Corn, Dutchman’s Breeches, Yellow Buckeye, Yellow Toadshade Trillium, Purple Toadshade Trillium, White Erect Trillium, Large-flowered Trillium, Jack-in-the-Pulpit, Star Chickweed, Blue Cohosh, White Baneberry, Showy Orchis, Troutlilly, Cut-leafed Toothwort, Yellow Violet, Bloodroot, Purple Violet, Foamflower, Golden Alexander, Small-flowered Bellwort, Robin’s Plaintain, Pussytoes, Dogwood, Wild Geranium, Barren Strawberry, Hooked Buttercup, Dwarf Crested Iris, Rue Anemone, Small White Violet, Halberd-leafed Violet, Oilnut, Hepatica Trout Lily , Star Chickweed, Wood Anemone, Meadow-rue, and Spring beauty, Lowbush Blueberry. BIRDS IDENTIFIED: Oven Bird, Titmouse, Veery, Towhee, Red Eyed Vireo, Yellow Throated Vireo, Black Throated Blue Warbler, Scarlet Tanager, Rose Breasted Grosbeak, Broad Wing Hawk, Carolina Chickadee, Blue Jay, Carolina Wren, Great Crested Flycatcher. |
 Our starting point for today’s hike. |
 This is the largest Yellow Buckeye Tree that we have ever seen! |
 Some of today’s flower pics.(l-r clockwise) Dutchman’s Breeches, Squirrel Corn, Trillium Grandiflora, White Erect Trillium |
 More flowers (l-r clockwise) Trout Lily, Jack-in-the-Pulpit, Downy Yellow Violet, Dwarf Crested Iris. |
 Next, we moved down to the Coosa Backcountry Trail. |
 Another great day for a hike! |
 The Carolina Silverbell trees were blooming! |
 The trail brought us by this nice little waterfall. |
 One more set of flowers! (l-r clockwise) Red Baneberry, Blue Cohosh, Yellow Trillium, Showy Orchis. |
 The OFHC gang for today’s hike. (l-r front) Bruce O’Connor, Jeanne O’Connor, Donna Presley, and Tony Presley. (l-r standing) Dan Ross, David Whitaker, Geri Whitaker, Bob Thompson, Bob Presley, Bryan Lambert, John Bellamy, Wayne Miller, Jack Jacobi, and Doug Russell. |