March 29, 2022
AT - Tesnatee Gap to Cow Rock & Wolf Laurel Top
(Mileage includes hike over Wildcat Mtn to Hogpen Gap at end of hike)
A good hike today beginning with cloudy, cold and breezy weather later turning to partly cloudy and cool conditions. The trail is well used having many sections covered with loose rock. While this trail does have 2 major inclines, we took our time making these climbs which seemed to make it a bit less difficult. We passed ~54 thru-hikers and 2 dogs with at least 3 of those hikers from foreign countries. We saw a few wildflowers in bloom today, mostly toadshade trillium and bloodroot. However, there were many other wildflowers just beginning to emerge. This trail will be much more colorful in a few weeks. Three of our hikers continued on over Wildcat Mountain to Hogpen Gap, a section a bit steeper than that covered earlier in the day.
The route
6.0 mi · 1,886 ft climbing · 5h 21m out, 4h 11m walking · 1.4 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%
3 photos are shown on the map where they were taken — click one to see it full size.
Photos (24)
Panoramic view to the southeast from Cow Rock Today's Hikers (L-R) Back: Ray, Tim Gerald, Jenny, Lynn & Terre; Front: Mike, Beth, Christine & Esther Trail maintenance at the start of our hike. Seriously Mike, can't you pick an easier trail . . . rock, roots and steep inclines! Trail signs along the way. A nice view to the southeast seen early into the hike. One of the early finds of toadshade trillium not opened with some meadow-rue beginning to sprout around it. This toadshade trillium is showing a bit more color. A nicely built fire pit with a heat reflector at a campsite on Cow Rock. Another view from Cow Rock. A view from Cow Rock using the Peak-Finder app that identifies peaks. . . even Stone Mountain in the distance. An easier section of the trail on our way to Wolf Laurel Top. Break time! The bloodroot was finally opening up on our way back to Tesnatee Gap. A nice patch of bluets along the trails tucked under one of the rocks. A bit early for these trout lilies to be blooming. Some, but not a lot of fungus along the trail. More interesting tree anomalies. Some thought a squirrel had set up a trail camera in the upper right photo. Almost back to Tesnatee Gap. Three of us decided to continue on over Wildcat Mountain to Hogpen Gap. Christine pointed out the massive tree fall the GA AT Club removed recently. A large rock formation on Wildcat Mtn. that Christine noted as being a favorite campsite for AT hikers. Just emerging wood betony (aka Canadian lousewort) with attractive purple, wooly leaves. A solitary example of star chickweed seen along the trail up Wildcat Mtn. Wildcat Mountain hikers: Gerald, Christine & Mike