COOSA BALD (VIA WILDCAT GAP)
Vogel State Park
7485 Vogel State Park Road
Blairsville, GA 30512
(706) 745-2628
Coosa Bald (4,271 feet) is one of the ten highest peaks in Georgia and it is accessible via the Coosa Backcountry and Duncan Ridge Trails which start 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, and you’ll likely have the place to yourself.
On this hike, we took Duncan Ridge Road to Wildcat Gap (3,780 feet) and hiked nearly 500 feet to Coosa Bald. There is no water at the summit and campsites are limited – especially in the summer months. Yet this is one of the high points of the Duncan Ridge Trail and it is worth a look especially in the Spring/Fall. To reach the trailhead, a high clearnece AWD or 4WD vehicle is recommended – although during dry weather you may get lucky.
- click to see photos from this campsite near Wildcat Gap: December 26, 2020 (password required)
- click to YourHikes to read a trip report from this hike to Coosa Bald: December 26, 2020
- click to view a trip report from this hike on the Duncan Ridge Trail: December 26, 2020 (password required)
- click to view maps of the Blood Mountain Wilderness: area map, detailed map, Vogel State Park trail map, Vogel State Park topo map
- click to see another backpacking trip we did to Coosa Bald
- click for the Southeastern Destinations discussion forum
- click to access the guidebook Best Hikes With Dogs Georgia And South Carolina which has details on this destination
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