Coosa Bald (4,271 feet) is one of the ten highest peaks in Georgia and it is accessible via the Duncan Ridge Trail which starts near Vogel State Park. The summit hardly qualifies as a bald these days and Mother Nature has mostly taken back this once open area. So if you want some views - go before the leaves bud on the trees, but you'll likely have the place to yourself. Bonus: Here we are at the summit enjoying the views to the South and the sunset to the West. … [Read more...]
A Spring Hike To Coosa Bald (Via The Duncan Ridge Trail)
April 22, 2013 By Leave a Comment
Sixteen years ago, The Ox and I did a winter ascent of Coosa Bald (4,271 feet) via a spur off the Coosa Backcountry Trail. I remembered a few campsites scattered near the summit and decided to return via a much shorter route this time. Coosa Bald is located near (and approachable from) Vogel State Park, and we stopped at Neel's Gap a few miles South of the park. The store was busy on this cool and clear weekend, and The Weasel snapped this photo of hiking boots hanging in the trees … [Read more...]
THE KLONDIKE 2013 (AKA THE SEARCH FOR LONG BRANCH SHELTER)
February 9, 2013 By Leave a Comment
This is a video slide show of our hike to Long Branch Shelter from Standing Indian Campground. It was sunny when we left Atlanta and the forecast was for temperatures in the 50's in nearby Franklin, N.C. Yet as we drive the 2 1/2 hours north to the Appalachian Trail, there is a line of clouds and a cold front moving in from the Northwest. Mobile checks at the Weather Channel has the forecast in constant flux -- and deteriorating quickly. By morning, there would be 8 1/2 inches of snow … [Read more...]
When The Weatherman Blows The Forecast (aka Our Epic Venture To Long Branch Shelter)
February 7, 2013 By Leave a Comment
It is sunny when we leave Atlanta and the forecast is for temperatures in the 50's in nearby Franklin, N.C. But as we drive the 2 1/2 hours north to the Appalachian Trail we spot a line of clouds and a cold front pushing in from the Northwest. Mobile checks at the Weather Channel has the forecast in constant flux - and deteriorating quickly. The light rain projected to hit in the late afternoon arrives as snow and a winter advisory is issued for North Georgia and Western N.C. But we … [Read more...]
Boone Dawg’s First Snow Hike
February 5, 2013 By Leave a Comment
By daybreak we had 8 1/2 inches of snow on the ground and Boone Dawg got to partake in his first snow hike. Here we are on the Long Branch Trail descending from the Appalachian Trail to Standing Indian Campground. That's a happy dog. … [Read more...]
Arriving At Long Branch Shelter In A Driving Snowstorm
February 4, 2013 By Leave a Comment
The Crew arrives at the newly constructed Long Branch Shelter as a driving snow storm pelts us with what turns out to be 8 1/2 inches of snow. When we leave Atlanta, the forecast is for temperatures in the 50's in nearby Franklin, N.C. but as we drive the 2 1/2 hours north to the Appalachian Trail we spot a line of clouds and a cold front pushing in from the Northwest. Mobile checks at the Weather Channel has the forecast in constant flux - and deteriorating quickly. The light rain projected … [Read more...]
Kayakers On The Chattooga River After “Five Falls”
November 20, 2012 By Leave a Comment
Here's a group of kayakers on the Chattooga River after they cleared a series of class five rapids known as "Five Falls" not far from Westminster, S.C. We watched them float by from a beach at the end of a 2.2 mile trail to the river. … [Read more...]
