| Today’s hike was on the Appalachian Trail from Hogpen Gap to Wolf Laurel Top with a side trail out to the southern rock face on Cow Rock. Round trip distance – 6.5 mi.
HIKERS – John Bellamy, Greta Driggers, Meredith Dudley, Pam Euliss, Bill Hunt, Dick Metzgar, Bruce O’Connor, Jeanne O’Connor, Donna Presley, Tony Presley, Joe Raguckas, Dan Ross, Carole Wintle. TRAIL INFO. – A very nice hike on the A.T. with great mountain views. Footing was a bit icy in places. Main features are Wildcat Mountain, Cow Rock Mountain and Wolf Laurel Top. Terrain is hilly with the three mountains to climb. The quarter mile side trail on Cow Rock is worth the effort for a spectacular view. 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! Fair, windy and cold. Temperatures ranged from 32 to 39 degrees F. Hiking distance – 6.5 miles. FLOWERS IN BLOOM: none BIRDS IDENTIFIED: Black Vulture, American Crow, Dark-eyed Junco. |
 Trail marker at Hogpen Gap. |
 Walking along the trail on Wildcat Mountain, we get this view across to Cow Rock Mountain. |
 The view down the valley between the two mountains. |
 We reach the bottom of Wildcat Mountain at Tesnatee Gap. |
 Icicles along the trail! |
 We arrive at Cow Rock. . |
 Many great mountain views! |
 We reach Wolf Laurel Top and find more nice views. |
 On the way down Wolf Laurel, we spot Brasstown Bald in the distance. This is an extreme zoom photo of the visitors center at Brasstown. |
 We take the side trail from Cow Rock out to the awesome rock face for our lunch spot. |
 It is difficult to beat this lunch spot! |
 A panorama from Cow Rock. |
 Heading back after lunch. |
 Diamond of the week! Meredith’s engagement ring! |
 Huge icicles along the road near Hogpen Gap! |
 The OFHC gang for today’s hike. (l-r) Joe Raguckas, Tony Presley, Bill Hunt, Dick Metzgar, Pam Euliss, Dan Ross, Bruce O’Connor, Carole Wintle, Greta Driggers, Donna Presley, Jeanne O’Connor, Meredith Dudley and John Bellamy. |