Blood Mountain
Trailhead: Byron Reese Memorial Trail Parking | 34.742906, -83.921309 | 0.5 mile north of (Neel Gap) 9710 Gainesville Hwy Chattahoochee National Forest Blairsville, GA 30512 | Free Parking
Blazed: Yes, Byron Reese Memorial Trail is blue blazed. The AT is white blazed. You may/will use both trails.
Distance: 4.2 mile out-and-back hike.
Difficulty: Easy to Moderate
Beginner Difficulty: Strenuous due to length and elevation gain
Elevation Gain: Constant and significant elevation gain of approximately 1,200 feet over 2.6 miles.
Elevation Loss: Constant and significant elevation loss of approximately 1,200 feet over 2.6 miles.
Starting/Ending Elevation: Byron Reese Memorial Parking | Approximately 3,100 feet
Point Elevation: Blood Mountain Summit View | 4,461 feet
Main Attractions: Several Blood Mountain Views (highest point on the GA AT), Mountain Crossing at Neel Gap, and Blood Mountain Stone Shelter.
Ideal for: Out-and-back day hikers. Overnight hikers can also enjoy this trail by combing it with longer trails, such as the Duncan Ridge Trail, Slaughter Creek Trail-Jarrard Trail-AT loop, or access Blood Mountain via Vogel State Park.
Other Nearby Trails: Blood Mountain Loop, AT-Jarrard-Slaughter Creek Trail Loop, DeSoto Falls, Brasstown Bald, Vogel State Park Trails.
Blazed: Yes, Byron Reese Memorial Trail is blue blazed. The AT is white blazed. You may/will use both trails.
Distance: 4.2 mile out-and-back hike.
Difficulty: Easy to Moderate
Beginner Difficulty: Strenuous due to length and elevation gain
Elevation Gain: Constant and significant elevation gain of approximately 1,200 feet over 2.6 miles.
Elevation Loss: Constant and significant elevation loss of approximately 1,200 feet over 2.6 miles.
Starting/Ending Elevation: Byron Reese Memorial Parking | Approximately 3,100 feet
Point Elevation: Blood Mountain Summit View | 4,461 feet
Main Attractions: Several Blood Mountain Views (highest point on the GA AT), Mountain Crossing at Neel Gap, and Blood Mountain Stone Shelter.
Ideal for: Out-and-back day hikers. Overnight hikers can also enjoy this trail by combing it with longer trails, such as the Duncan Ridge Trail, Slaughter Creek Trail-Jarrard Trail-AT loop, or access Blood Mountain via Vogel State Park.
Other Nearby Trails: Blood Mountain Loop, AT-Jarrard-Slaughter Creek Trail Loop, DeSoto Falls, Brasstown Bald, Vogel State Park Trails.
My Hike Description
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This is the hike that started it all.
I have done this hike more than any other hike on this planet. As explained in my "About Us" section, Blood Mountain was my first experience hiking solo. I loved the views offered by Blood Mountain that I have done this hike more than 10 times. The summit of Blood Mountain simply offers some of the best views in Georgia. In this description, I will describe my first day hike on Blood Mountain. The pictures on the left, however, may come from several different hikes. This hike was not only my first experience hiking solo, but was also my first experience on the AT. This hike is the genesis of my desire to hike every trail I can find. The night before, I had done some research about the hike. It seemed simple enough. I decided to go out without a description or one of my drawing of the the trail. I thought to myself "these is no way I can get lost on such a simple trail." Of course, I was technically right. I did not get lost, but I did take a few wrong turns before I finally found my way back to the trail. |
I drove 1 1/2 hours from my home north eventually making it to Mountains Crossing on 9710 Gainesville Hwy Chattahoochee National Forest Blairsville, GA 30512. This is Neel Gap. Traveling north on Gainesville Hwy, I found mountain crossing on my right. I initially pulled of here to a full parking lot. I was later informed the parking lot for Blood Mountain is less than 1/2 mile on the left. I drove down and found a fair sized parking lot, but given the popularity of this area, it was nearly full.
After parking my car, I make my way back to Gainesville Hwy to hike back the 0.5 miles to Neels Gap. I had completely forgotten about Byron Reese Memorial Trail that takes you to Flatrock Gap. I road walk to Neel Gap. I take a picture of a plaque that describes an ancient battle between the Cherokee and Creek Indians that gave Blood Mountain its name. I also saw the "shoe" tree, which is a graveyard of many of the AT thru hikers' shoes. I also entered Mountain Crossing, which is an outfitter with resupply point and a hostel for $18.00 per night.
From here, I had to ask someone at Mountain Crossing which was to Blood Mountain. (Yes, that is embarrassing now). I cross Gainesville Hwy and begin my ascent. Neel Gap has an elevation of 3,125 feet. I began the nearly constant 2.4 mile climb to the summit of Blood Mountain with an elevation of 4,461. Blood Mountain is the highest mountain on the Georgia AT.
In about 30 minutes, I reach Flatrock Gap, and I come to my first decision. There are two side trails here. To my right is Byron Reese Memorial Trail, which is blue blazed. To my right there is Freeman Trail, which also is blue blazed. In front of me is the familiar white blaze of the AT. I decide summits are up and continue up the AT.
In the first 1.1 miles of the trail, the AT had gained 400+ feet of elevation. In the last 1.6 miles, the trail will gain the remaining 1,000 feet of elevation with some particularly steep parts and a steep rock stair master, which if wet could actually be dangerous. There are two particular streneous section in the remainder of the hike. Also the trail has a few switchbacks to make it to the top. Near the top, I zigged when I should have zagged. I missed a switch back. I followed what looked very much like a trail for 10 minutes. Other likely having made this same mistake. After about 5 more minutes, I realize I was no longer on the trail. Worse, I couldn't really tell where I had come from.
First time hiking solo and I was already lost. Not a great start. I decided summits were up and started to bushwhacked my way up the mountain. (i'm sorry!). Within minutes I intersected the trail again near the summit. Blood Mountain offers view after view. There are at least 3 amazing view points including the final summit view near the Blood Mountain Shelter, which I believe was built in the 1930s by the Civilian Conservation Corp (CCC). . Likewise, Walasi-yi Center, now Mountains Crossing, was built in the 1930's by CCC.
I spent a great amount of time of the summit. This is before my backpacking days when I hiked more for the views than the hike. But how could you blame me? Have you been to Blood Mountain? It is simply stunning and awe-inspiring. After 30 minutes at the summit, I made it down Blood Mountain the way I came. Again I bypassed Byron Reese Memorial Trail which would have dumped me back at my car.
As I passed Flatrock Gap again, I decided I was going to look up the Freeman Trail and the Byron Reese Memorial Trail. Once I did, I learned about the Blood Mountain Loop, which I did another day.
I believe I did this hike in November of 2013. I hadn't hiked in years. As a beginner, I thought this trail was moderate with a few strenuous sections.
After parking my car, I make my way back to Gainesville Hwy to hike back the 0.5 miles to Neels Gap. I had completely forgotten about Byron Reese Memorial Trail that takes you to Flatrock Gap. I road walk to Neel Gap. I take a picture of a plaque that describes an ancient battle between the Cherokee and Creek Indians that gave Blood Mountain its name. I also saw the "shoe" tree, which is a graveyard of many of the AT thru hikers' shoes. I also entered Mountain Crossing, which is an outfitter with resupply point and a hostel for $18.00 per night.
From here, I had to ask someone at Mountain Crossing which was to Blood Mountain. (Yes, that is embarrassing now). I cross Gainesville Hwy and begin my ascent. Neel Gap has an elevation of 3,125 feet. I began the nearly constant 2.4 mile climb to the summit of Blood Mountain with an elevation of 4,461. Blood Mountain is the highest mountain on the Georgia AT.
In about 30 minutes, I reach Flatrock Gap, and I come to my first decision. There are two side trails here. To my right is Byron Reese Memorial Trail, which is blue blazed. To my right there is Freeman Trail, which also is blue blazed. In front of me is the familiar white blaze of the AT. I decide summits are up and continue up the AT.
In the first 1.1 miles of the trail, the AT had gained 400+ feet of elevation. In the last 1.6 miles, the trail will gain the remaining 1,000 feet of elevation with some particularly steep parts and a steep rock stair master, which if wet could actually be dangerous. There are two particular streneous section in the remainder of the hike. Also the trail has a few switchbacks to make it to the top. Near the top, I zigged when I should have zagged. I missed a switch back. I followed what looked very much like a trail for 10 minutes. Other likely having made this same mistake. After about 5 more minutes, I realize I was no longer on the trail. Worse, I couldn't really tell where I had come from.
First time hiking solo and I was already lost. Not a great start. I decided summits were up and started to bushwhacked my way up the mountain. (i'm sorry!). Within minutes I intersected the trail again near the summit. Blood Mountain offers view after view. There are at least 3 amazing view points including the final summit view near the Blood Mountain Shelter, which I believe was built in the 1930s by the Civilian Conservation Corp (CCC). . Likewise, Walasi-yi Center, now Mountains Crossing, was built in the 1930's by CCC.
I spent a great amount of time of the summit. This is before my backpacking days when I hiked more for the views than the hike. But how could you blame me? Have you been to Blood Mountain? It is simply stunning and awe-inspiring. After 30 minutes at the summit, I made it down Blood Mountain the way I came. Again I bypassed Byron Reese Memorial Trail which would have dumped me back at my car.
As I passed Flatrock Gap again, I decided I was going to look up the Freeman Trail and the Byron Reese Memorial Trail. Once I did, I learned about the Blood Mountain Loop, which I did another day.
I believe I did this hike in November of 2013. I hadn't hiked in years. As a beginner, I thought this trail was moderate with a few strenuous sections.
