| Today’s hike was on the Sosebee Cove Nature Trails and the Coosa Backcountry Trail. Total hike – 6.5 miles.
HIKERS – Karen Brown, Phil Brownrigg, Pam Euliss, Sam Hay, Dave Hinson, Jack Jacobi, Leigh Ann Miller, Bruce O’Connor, Jeanne O’Connor, Bob Presley, Donna Presley, Tony Presley, Carole Raguckas, Joe Raguckas, Vic Robson, Dan Ross, Doug Russell, Pom Sinnock, Bob Thompson, David Whitaker , Geri Whitaker, Paul Williiams and Carole Wintle. TRAIL INFORMATION – 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. Today’s hiking distance – 6.5 miles with hills – moderate difficulty. 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 trail crosses Hwy 180 here. Another great day for a hike! Partly Cloudy with temperatures ranging from the low 60’s to the mid 70’s F. FLOWERS IN BLOOM: Showy Orchis, Sweet Cicily, Blue Cohosh, Mandarin, White Erect Trillium, Catesby’s Trillium, Yellow Toadshade Trillium, Purple Toadshade Trillium, Large-flowered Trillium, Foamflower, Hooked Buttercup, Umbrellaleaf, False Solomom’s Seal, Star Chickweed, Purple Violet, Sweet White Violet, Halberd-leafed Violet, Dogwood, Silverbell, Dewberry, Blackberry, Deerberry, May Apple, Jack-in-the-Pulpit, Robin’s Plantain, Meadow Rue, Golden Alexander, Oil Nut, Hearts-a-burstin’, Cut-leafed Toothwort, Pussytoes, Yellowroot, Mountain Laurel, Flame Azalea, Cinquefoil, Squawroot, Dwarf Iris, Crested Dwarf Iris,Yellow Wood Sorrel, and Barren Strawberry. Fauna: Salamander, Garter Snake. BIRDS IDENTIFIED: Red Eyed Vireo, Carolina Wren, Oven Bird, American Robin, Rose Breasted Grosbeak, Towhee, Wood Thrush, Yellow Throated Vireo, Blue Jay, Tufted Titmouse, Hooded Warbler, Black & White Warbler, Pileated Woodpecker, Blue Headed Vireo, Scarlet Tananger, Crow, Chestnut Sided Warbler, Yellow Rump Warbler, Black Throated Green Warbler, Carolina Chickadee. |
 Starting down the steps at Sosebee Cove. |
 We were very happy to have our founding member/guru of the OFHC back in town for a hike! Dr. Sam Hay! |
 The famous giant Yellow Buckeye Tree at Sosebee Cove. |
 The lush beauty of Sosebee Cove. |
 Some of today’s wildflowers (top l-r then clockwise) Yellow Star Grass, Wild Geranium, White Erect Trillium, Flame Azalea. |
 Showy Orchis |
 Information boards at Sosebee Cove. |
 Next, we move down to the Coosa Backcountry Trail. |
 Nice cascading falls! |
 West Fork of Wolf Creek! |
 Our lunch spot at Wolf Creek. |
 Snake season is here….Eastern Garter Snake |
 Squaw Root |
 The OFHC gang for today’s hike. (l-r)Tony Presley, Dan Ross, David Whitaker, Geri Whitaker, Sam Hay, Donna Presley, Karen Brown, Bob Thompson, Pam Euliss, Carole Wintle, Pom Sinnock, Carole Raguckas, Bruce O’Connor (seated), Joe Raguckas, Leigh Ann Miller, Paul Williams, Vic Robson, Dave Hinson, Jeanne O’Connor, Bob Presley, Doug Russell, Phil Brownrigg and Jack Jacobi. |