Wildcat Mountain Sunset
Adventure Out
Wildcat Mountain Overlook by Peter McIntosh ince this is Valentine’s month, we’re taking a nice short hike up the Appalachian Trail to a rock outcropping along the ridge line of Wildcat Mountain. A great spot to share with your special someone. The trailhead is at the high point of the Richard Russell Scenic Highway at Hogpen Gap. There are a couple of nice roadside overlooks near Hogpen Gap, both facing southeast offering a nice view of Mount Yonah and further in the distance, Currahee Mountain. It’s interesting to note that both of these mountains have a military significance. The rock face on Yonah is where the U.S. Army Rangers learn technical climbing and, in case you don’t know, Currahee was the famous training center for the Army’s elite 10th Mountain Division as they prepared for the D-Day invasion. There is another overlook at the north end of the Hogpen Gap parking area, offering stunning views to the northeast where you can easily spot the observation tower on Georgia’s highest mountain, Brasstown Bald. Hightower Bald
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24 - February 2020
and the far mountains of North Carolina can also be seen from this spot. At Hogpen Gap, we’re going to hike south on the AT. (2 x 6 inch white blaze) It’s actually west, but in AT terms it’s south. After following the blazes on a grassy path, going south from the parking area, we cross the highway where the trail leads off into the forest and ascends via switchbacks about ¼ mile to the top of the ridge line. At the top of the ridge, the AT continues off to the right and a side trail leading to a shelter goes to the left. This is our trail, which we follow for about another ¼ mile until coming to an opening leading out to the rock face looking west. Cowrock Mountain is just across from you and to the northwest are the many layered mountains of the Nottely River Watershed and to the southwest are the Appalachian Foothills. This is a great place to watch a sunset, even better with a little wine and cheese... Or wine and chocolates if you
