Blood Mountain Hike - for Those New to the Mountains! With an added BONUS

This hike is designed for those who haven't gone up in the Mountains of North Georgia because they're not ready for a D5 hike through strenous terrain, but HAVE had some experience and want to start venturing out on slightly harder hikes.

We will stop at each crossroad for breaks so that everyone can hike at thier own pace, but still maintain the atmosphere and sense of group.

This 7.5-mile loop trail combines the Byron Herbert Reece Trail, Appalachian Trail and Freeman Gap Trail for a rugged midday hike through the gorgeous Chattahoochee Forest.  Blood Mountain is one of Georgia’s premier hiking destinations. At 4,458 ft. Blood Mountain is Georgia’s 6th tallest mountain. Its peak is the highest point along Georgia’s 76-mile long section of the AT.  Blood Mountain’s rugged wilderness offers breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains from several large, natural rock outcroppings.

We’ll start at the Parking lot for the Byron Herbert Reece trail.  Taking the Reece Trail, we’ll ascend .7 miles to Freeman Gap where the trail intersects the Appalachian Trail and the Freeman Gap Trail.  At this point we’ll bypass the summit approach to take the Freeman trail around the mountain (just under 2 miles) to where the trail intersects the AT on the southern approach to Blood Mountain.  After reaching the summit, we’ll plan on a late lunch and rest at the top to warm up and catch the magnificent view.  After this we’ll take the AT down the mountain to Freeman Gap where we’ll take the AT to Neel's Gap - home of Mountain Crossings.

I expect the entire trip to be approx 4-5 hours with stops for lunch and breaks. 

We typically head back down to Dahlonega for an late lunch/early dinner at Pueblo's for those who want to eat and make merry!  This is really a treat - just ask anyone who's done this hike with us before.

As an added bonus, we will hike to Mountain Crossings, the store at the top of Neels gap. We will do this at the end of the hike to take a restroom break and a check out the only place on the Appalachian Trail that goes under a man made structure.

From the Mansell Park and Ride north on GA 400. Continue on US 19/GA 60 once GA 400 ends. Take bypass through Dahlongea. Stay on US 19. Once you reach Walasi-Yi Inn you will be a quarter of a mile from the Byron Herbert Reece parking lot. The road into the lot in one way. If you have reached Vogel State Park you have gone too far. 

There is limited parking lot at the Bryon Herbert Reece lot . If there are not sufficent spaces we will shuttle from Vogel State Park (just down the road). Plan on at least 4 people per vehicle.