DATE CHANGE: Blood Mountain from Byron Reece Trail

Please note we have changed the date from Monday to Tuesday due to weather. Let's go see some beautiful views from the 4,459 foot peak of Blood Mountain! Blood Mountain is the highest peak on the Georgia section of the Appalachian Trail, and it is the sixth-highest mountain in Georgia.

We will start at the Byron Reece Trailhead and hike until we intersect with the Appalachian Trail. Then we will turn right and head uphill on the AT until we reach the summit of Blood Mountain. Up on top, we will spend about 30 minutes taking in the fabulous views and eating the lunches we brought along. We will also see the Blood Mountain Shelter, built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s. And if anyone wants, you can also visit the privy just south of the shelter. After enjoying our time at the top of Blood Mountain, we will retrace our steps back to the parking lot and head home.

Please note that this is going to be a steep, rocky climb to the summit, and could also be wet and muddy in some areas depending on recent weather. This is not a beginner hike. We will be staying together on this hike, so you need to be able to climb at a steady pace with limited stops to stay with the group. If you do not have recent D4 experience with the AOC, you may be contacted by the trip leaders to assess your fitness for this hike.

There are no bathrooms at the trailhead, but you can make a quick stop at the Mountain Crossings store just before getting to the parking lot. Also, there is a privy just south of the shelter on top of the mountain.

Parking is free at MARTA's Mansell Road Park and Ride Parking Lot and at the Byron Reece trailhead. 

If you are not carpooling, please note that the hike from the Byron Reece trailhead will start promptly at 10:45am.

GA-400 Directions: Head North on GA-400 till the end. Continue Straight onto GA- 115. Continue  Across Hwy 52 onto Long Branch Rd., which continues Straight onto Copper Mines Rd. Continue to a Dead End at Cavender Creek Rd., Turn Left. Then, Turn Right on Town Creek Church Rd. Continue, until Frogtown Rd., Turn Left. At Y intersection of Frogtown Rd., Continue Left on Frogtown Rd. Continue to a Dead End at Damascus Church Rd., Turn Left. Continue to Hwy 19 & 9, Turn Right. Continue to a Dead End at Hwy. 129, Turn Left. Continue Past Mountain Crossings Store, on your right. Continue 1 mile, Turn Left (one way) into the Byron Herbert Reece Trailhead parking lot. The drive is approximately 1 hour and 20 minutes from MARTA's Mansell Road Park and Ride.

The end time listed here is the approximate time the carpoolers will get back to the MARTA park and ride location.

Parking is free at MARTA's Mansell Road Park and Ride Parking Lot and at the Byron Reece trailhead.

There are no bathrooms at the trailhead, but you can make a quick stop at the Mountain Crossings store just before getting to the parking lot. Also, there is a privy just south of the shelter on top of the mountain.