The Meeting place for this hike is Vogel State Park. The hike begins and ends at the state park.

The Coosa Backcountry Loop is a long (12.7 miles) and strenuous (2100 ft. vertical rise) trek for a day hike. The hike leaves Vogel State Park and climbs to Burnett Gap. From here the trail circles the Sosebee Creek valley, where it reaches its low point. From Sosebee Creek the path makes a long climb to wooded Coosa Bald, breaking the 4000 ft. elevation mark. Some serious ups and downs follow as the path enters the Blood Mountain Wilderness and reaches Slaughter Mountain before making its way back to the state park. 

There is a $5 fee per car in the parking lot. Also required is a hiking permit (no charge) which is obtained at the Vogel State Park Visitor Center. 

One should plan to be at Vogel State Park Visitor Center by 9:30 AM. I plan to start the hike from the visitor center at 10:00 AM sharp.

The hike is listed as an 8 hour hike, so make sure that you have plenty of water and food for the day. Also hiking boots and a hat. The nearst food and gasoline sources are in Blairsville to the north and Dahlonega to the south.

The state park offers camping for those that want to camp Friday night before the hike or Saturday night after the hike. Camping reservations are recommended.

The meeting place will be the visitor center at Vogel State Park. It is located at 405 Vogle State Park Road, Balirsville, Ga. 30512.

The Vogel State park Road intersects US 19.

Driving from the north, Vogel State Park is 10.4 miles south of Blairsville, Georgia, using US 19.

Driving from the south, Vogle State Park is 25 miles north of Dahlonega, Georgia, using US 19.

Be mindful that US 19 is a winding mountain road, so speeds are lower than highways.