January 28, 2025
Coosa Backcountry- Bear Hair Trail Loop
near Blairsville, GA
This was a moderately difficult hike with "just right" weather, sunny skies and temperatures between 34°F and 44°F. The trails are in fair condition showing heavy use and some left-over blowdowns from Hurricane Helene. This is mostly an uphill hike for the first half and then downhill when returning. Not surprisingly we did encounter some residual ice on the trail requiring careful footing on the climb up the Coosa Backcountry Trail to the intersection with the Duncan Ridge Trail. There continues to be a very nice overlook of Vogel State Park on a well-marked side trail half way up the Bear Hair Trail.
Today's Hikers: Terre Pratt, Matt Henderson & Toby, Jenny Bell, Pam Hembree, Ken Pardue, Sue Vaughn & Mike Bell
The route
6.7 mi · 1,634 ft climbing · 4h 57m out, 4h 2m walking · 1.7 mph moving
Elevation
Hover over the profile to see the elevation and steepness. Your position will be shown on the map.
- Steepness
- Gentle under 5%
- Moderate 5–10%
- Steep 10–15%
- Very steep over 15%
19 photos are shown on the map where they were taken — click one to see it full size.
Photos (19)
A good amount of ice on the upper end of our hike today on the Coosa Backcountry section. Today's Hiker's (L-R): Terre, Matt & Toby, Mike, Jenny, Pam, Ken & Sue "Smiling faces," but for how long? Toby says, "Enough of the picture taking. Let's get going." It's all up from here. Lots of pretty flowing water and sounds along Burnett Branch on the first part of the hike. There are a few bridges and . . . . blowdowns, too. On first glance from the overlook we thought we saw residual ice on the lower end of the lake. But, no. That "ice" was the roofs of the new visitor center. Hey, that's Blood Mountain. More ice on the trail. Some more obvious than others. This water crossing was fairly easy. Lunch time with Toby being very serious about this moment. Headed back down being very careful about the ice. Ken was contemplating how he could make several bowls from this large gall. Looking down on our hikers from a large rock formation above them. The trickiest water crossing was over Wolf Creek toward the end of the hike. We were actually in and out of the Blood Mountain Wilderness during this hike. Yep, despite Helene, this tree growing largely over a large boulder is still here.