Give your heart-rate monitor something to do with this short steep hike to the summit of Cowrock Mountain from the slightly further away Hogpen Gap. A shorter version of this hike begins at Tesnatee Gap. Enjoy an expansive view from a bare rock perch along this Georgia section of the Appalachian Trail.
Parking at Hogpen Gap is just off GA-348 / Richard B Russell Scenic Highway. Since you'll be travelling south along the AT, look for posts with white blazes to the right. Follow these southeast down the road for brief distance before crossing the highway and beginning your first ascent.
From the gap it's a short steady climb for a quarter mile before beginning the descent to Tesnatee Gap. You'll pass a couple campsites and a good view. On the way back from Cowrock, this section of trail will be the most difficult climb on your hike. It's a rough 25% grade for the first .3 miles, climbing at a rate of more than 1300 feet per mile. Try not to think about it right now.
Once you reach the gap, cross the parking lot and start going right back up. The entirety of this trail is quite rocky, so watch your step and be mindful of loose rocks on the way back down. There are also several sections of bare rock that if wet will be slick. After another quarter mile the trail lets you catch you're breath, leveling out for a moment before going right back up.
Hike through a series of switchbacks before coming to the bare rock overlook of Cowrock Mountain. Bask in the fantastic view to the southeast and look for Yonah Mountain in the distance. This is where most people end their hike, but if you have the energy, the views are just beginning. First, continue along the AT behind the Cowrock view for a tenth of a mile for another less crowded view. There is a third view a little further on, but it's not as good as these two so I say skip it.
Hidden Side Trail
Back at the main Cowrock view, there is a hidden side trail that takes you to two more amazing views. If you're standing on the bare rock, look toward the view. A thin line of grass and brush divide a second bare rock face down the hill. Walk down to it, then turn right. Look for the trail where the rock ends at the tree line. The trail is tight and overgrown, but once you find it you'll have no problem following it.
Within a tenth of a mile the trail opens to a field with the first view on the left looking directly at Wildcat Mountain. Continue past here until the trail ends at another exposed rock outcropping. Here you'll find possibly one of the best views in Georgia! In a comment on the Tesnatee Gap hike page (thank you Coachshot99) and one other comment on another site, this view is referred to as Story Time Rock. Other than this, I can't find any information to confirm this, but it's a fantastic view nonetheless and definitely should not be missed!