Blood Mountain from Lake Winfield Scott and the Freeman Trail

Meet at Lake Winfield Scott

Departing from Lake Winfield Scott we’ll enjoy a view of rushing Slaughter Creek, ascend about 1.1 mile to Jarrard Gap, then turn left on the Appalachian Trail for about 1.5 miles of gentle ups and downs.  We'll take the rugged Freeman Trail for about 1.7 miles, which usually includes a couple of challenging scrambles.  At Flatrock Gap, turn left and we're back on the AT (southbound) for the challenging and rocky 1000 ft climb up to the Blood Mountain summit.  After a break for lunch we'll continue on the AT then turn right on the Slaughter Creek trail back to the lake, for a total descent of about 3.5 miles.  From the lake up to Blood Mountain the elevation gain is almost 2000 ft so you need to be in good shape to keep up with the group.

Map

From GA 400, left onto SR 60/19 toward Dahlonega. At the intersection of SR 60 and SR 19, continue straight on SR 60 to Suches then take a right on SR 180.  After about 5 miles turn right to the entrance road to the Lake Winfield Scott Recreation Area.  As you drive toward the lake, past the campground, the parking lot is located on the left, just before you get to the bridge. The trailhead is located across the bridge and to your right.  Parking is $5.00 - bring cash!  (Lake Winfield Scott is on the Recreation.gov website, but the "buy a pass" function doesn't show, so I assume parking is still cash only)