12/12/06 Appalachian Trail – Hog Pen Gap – GA

HIKERS – Ray Cowan, Jack Jacobi, Dick Metzgar, Wayne Miller, Bruce O’Connor, Jeanne O’Connor, Terry Doyle, Donna Presley, Tony Presley, Dan Ross, Doug Russell, and Bob Thompson.

TRAIL INFO. – From Hog Pen Gap, we first had to climb quite a long distance up to the top of Wildcat Mountain followed by a steep descent to Tessnatee Gap and then a long climb up to Cow Rock Mountain and on over to Wolf Laurel Top. There is a nice flat portion between Cow Rock and the climb up Wolf Laurel Top. We also took the side trail at Cow Rock that leads over to a great rock face with great views. All day long, the views were spectacular!

Total hiking distance – 6.5 miles. Rating – Mostly strenuous due to the series of climbs.

Directions: Take GA 75 north from Helen for 1.5 miles. Turn left onto GA 356(75 Alternate) and travel 2.3 miles to the Richard B. Russell Scenic Highway (GA 348). Turn right and travel about 9 miles to Hog Pen Gap. The parking lot is on the right.

Another great day for a hike – Partly to mostly cloudy, windy and cool with temperatures from the low 40’s to low 50’s F.

BIRDS IDENTIFIED: Ruffed Grouse, Raven, White-breasted Nuthatch, Ruby Crowned Kinglet, Dark-eyed Junco, Pileated Woodpecker, Crow, Turkey Vulture, and Carolina Chickadee.