Coosa Bald (via Wildcat Gap) - Member Hike

Hike Name:	Coosa Bald (via Wildcat Gap)
Country:	United States
State:	Georgia
Nearby Town:	Blairsville, GA
Rating:
Directions:	Duncan Ridge Road is located near Vogel State Park (address below). The best thing I can suggest is to stop there, and get directions and a map. The Wildcat Gap trailhead is tough to find and the rangers can tell you about road conditions.
Total Hike Distance:	1.60 miles
Hike Difficulty:	Moderate
Permit Required:	No
Hike Type:	In & Out, Backtrack Hike
Hike Starts/Ends:	Duncan Ridge Road
Trails Used:	Coosa Backcountry/Duncan Ridge Trails
Backcountry Campsites:	Yes
Backcountry Water Sources:	None
Management:	U.S. Forest Service
Contact Information:	Vogel State Park 7485 Vogel State Park Road Blairsville, GA 30512 (706) 745-2628
Best Season:	Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall
Users:	Hikers, Dogs
Road Conditions:	Primary Paved Roads, Secondary Paved Roads, Maintained Gravel or Dirt Roads, Unmaintained Gravel or Dirt Roads, Four Wheel Drive Recommended, High Clearance Vehicle Recommended
Hike Summary:	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.