October 26, 2021
Coosa Backcountry & Bear Hair Trails
at Vogel State Park
Another enjoyable but a more challenging hike today with the first three miles being continuously uphill over mostly rocky and rooty trail. We encountered a fair amount of rocky rubble along the 6th mile on our way downhill on the Bear Hair Trail. This made the going a bit slow. Despite these issues, the weather was great with temperatures between 45°F and 55°F We started with cloudy skies that turned to sunny skies later in the day. There were lots of beautiful small branches and creeks along the way with several "rock-hopping" shallow water crossings. there was some color in the trees but not to the extent hoped for . . . still an enjoyable hike. There was not a great view of the surrounding area from the "Vogel Overlook," just a peek through the trees to Lake Trahlyta. This hike is mostly strenuous.
The route
7.0 mi · 1,703 ft climbing · 4h 51m out, 4h 17m walking · 1.6 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%
Photos (18)
A view of Vogel State Park from the overlook off the Bear Hair Trail. Today's Hikers (L-R): Lynn, Inna, Tina, Edwin, Jean, Mike, Jim, Renee, Ray, Linda & Vic Getting Ready on a chilly morning @ 46 deg. This way. Up we go! Quite a bit of pretty creeks and branches along the way. Much of this trail is in the Blood Mountain Wilderness. Remnants of rock cairns seen along this trail. Scientists say, "Quit destroying the habitat of many insects and mammals!" Plenty of rock-hopping water crossings on this hike! One particularly large rock formation on the final leg to the Duncan Ridge Trail. Upshots of some of the tall trees along the trail that are beginning to lose their leaves. Orange and red leaves of trees showing or losing their leaves. Now that's a big yellow leaf! Not a lot of fungus this hike, but this example looks like a critter lost its tail. Trees that just won't give up !! "Come on Mike, more climbing ???" Finally heading down and back! One of the few nice and easy sections of this trail on the way back.