May 11, 2021
Sosebee Cove & Coosa Backcountry Trail
A super day for a hike with perfect weather. The trail was in good condition even after substantial rains a couple of days prior. Our tour of Sosebee Cove was dominated by White Erect Trillium,. While there were quite a few wildflowers, we did not see the display of Showy Orchis or other wildflowers we have seen in the past. The massive Yellow Buckeye tree still dominates this north facing cove which favors shade-tolerant plants. Our follow-up hike on the Coosa Backcountry Trail was pleasant and not difficult, even with the slightly steeper incline on return from West Fork Wolf Creek. This trail was also in good condition and dominated by Foam Flower, various Trilium and lots of Poison Ivy. We found a nice grouping of Pink Lady Slippers on our return back to trailhead which really made the day.
Sho
The route
8.2 mi · 550 ft climbing · 4h 10m out, 3h 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.
Part 1 of 2 · 0.3 mi
- Steepness
- Gentle under 5%
- Moderate 5–10%
- Steep 10–15%
- Very steep over 15%
Part 2 of 2 · 4.8 mi
- Steepness
- Gentle under 5%
- Moderate 5–10%
- Steep 10–15%
- Very steep over 15%
Photos (38)
Beautiful Yellow Buckeye (Aesculus flava) - A feature of Sosbee Cove - 2nd largest in Georgia. Feature Sign Today's Hikers at a beautiful falls along the Coosa Backcountry Trail (L-R): Jim, Jenny, Joe, Dick, Edwin, Mike, Jack, Ray & Vic Todays Hikers at W Fork Wolf Creek (L-R): Jack, Ray, Vick, Jim, Jenny, Joe, Mike, Vic & Edwin White Trillium "Stinking Benjamin" (Trillium erectum) Foamflower (Tiarella cordifolia) Toadshade / Red Trillium (Trillium cuneatum) Orchis, Showy (Orchis spectabilis) - A bit old False Solomon's Seal (Maianthemum racemosum) Cut-leaved Toothwort (Cardamine laciniata) Wild Geranium (Geranium maculatum) Large-flowered (Trillium grandiflorum) A bit late in the season perhaps? Jack to Jim - Where are we? Jim to Jack: Not sure, but it's not the Florida Keys. Vic: I think there is a Dairy Queen just up the trail! Yellow Mandarin (Disporum lanuginosum) Did you know? Guttation: expelling excess water or nutrients through tiny openings on leaves and stems to balance their levels. Lyre-leaved Sage (Salvia lyrata) Squaw Root (Conopholis americana) Umbrella Leaf (Diphylleia cymosa) Meadow Rue (Thalictrum pubescens) Interesting coloration on leaves of plant. - Fungus? Dwarf Crested Iris (Iris cristata) Common Cinquefoil (Potentilla canadensis) Rattlesnake Weed (Hieracium venosum) Maple-Leaf Viburnum(Viburnum acerifolium) Typical conditions on the Coosa Backcountry Trail Robin's Plantain (Erigeron pulchellus) Pretty falls along the first part of the Coosa Backcountry Trail Vasey's Trillium (Trillium vaseyi) A gathering of Tiger Swallowtail Butterflies near W Fork Wolf Creek Golden Alexander (Zizia trifoliata) Ground Cedar (Lycopodium digitatum) Looking downstream on the West Fork Wolf Creek Umbrella Leaf (Diphylleia cymosa) Solomon's Seal (Polygonatum biflorum) Pink Lady's Slipper (Cypripedium acaule) Pink Lady's Slipper (Cypripedium acaule) Jack-in-the-pulpit (Arisaema triphyllum) Toadshade / Yellow Trillium (Trillium luteum)