Lake Winfield Scott to Blood Mountain

sponsor

Print-Friendly Version

Add this event to your calendar (Outlook, iCalendar)

Add REGISTRATION REMINDER to your calendar

REGISTRATION REQUIRED: Once you've reviewed the event details, and decided you'd like to join us, you MUST sign up at the bottom of this page.

Lake Winfield Scott to Blood Mountain

The Basics:

Event Type:

Hike

Event Location:

Lake Winfield Scott Recreation Area

Date(s) & Time:

Sat, Aug 13 2022 9:50 am >> Sat, Aug 13 2022 3:20 pm (Carpool Departure: 8:00 am *log in for location*)

Registration Opens:

Sun, Aug 7 2022 7:00 pm

Registration Cut Off:

Fri, Aug 12 2022 11:00 am

Event Duration:

5 Hours 30 Minutes

Difficulty Rating:

D4: Moderate to Difficult

Pace:

Moderate

Trip Leader(s):

Greg Pharo

Email Trip Leader(s)
You must be logged in to get the Trip Leader contact information.

Member Cost:

None

Participant Info:

Who's Invited:

Members Only, 21 And Older Only

Maximum Group Size:

Minimum Group Size:

Number Registered So Far:

10 / 0 (To see who's signed up, log in to the Member Area)

Are Dogs Permitted:

Itinerary:

Streams, summit, lake, flowers ... this is such a fun hike! No wonder it's an AOC classic event.

Join us as we venture from the shores of beautiful Lake Winfield Scott upward to Blood Mountain. At 4,458 feet elevation, Blood Mountain is Georgia’s sixth tallest mountain and the highest point on the Georgia section of the Appalachian Trail. This rugged wilderness offers spectacular views of the surrounding mountains from several large rock outcroppings. Our route will also take us past spring-fed mountain creeks and through sublime forests.

Starting by the lake, we'll begin our hike with an enjoyable trek along Slaughter Creek along the camp trail. We'll ascend Jarrard Gap Trail before turning northbound onto the Appalachian Trail. We'll enjoy some ridgeline views and perhaps a few early spring flowers as we head up to summit Blood Mountain for lunch and spectacular long-range vistas from atop the boulders. After a leisurely lunch we'll descend southbound on the AT and then turn right onto Slaughter Creek Trail which will lead us back to Lake Winfield Scott by a different route. Along the way we will pass small cascading creeks and walk through beautiful forests layered with rhododendron and cove hardwoods.

The hike is approximately 8.4 miles with 1,860 feet elevation gain.

This is a challenging D4 mountain trek. You'll need recent D4 or equivalent hiking experience and be comfortable moving at a moderate pace of 2.5 mph. If you don't have recent D4 or higher hiking experience with the AOC we will be in contact to determine whether this event is right for you.

Required Items to Bring:

Sturdy hiking boots/footwear

At least 1 1/2 liter of water or sports drink

Raingear (just in case)

Hat

Daypack

Gas money for driver, if carpooling

$5 per car entrance fee

Recommended Items to Bring:
Use our Event Checklists to make sure you have everything you need.

Hiking poles

Sunscreen

How to Get There:

Event Directions:

Lake Winfield Scott Rercreation Area, near Suches, Georgia.

We will meet at the small parking lot on the lake. Enter Lake Winfield Scott Recreation Area, proceed to the check-in area and pay fee, and then proceed down the main road to the lake. The parking area is on the left side of the road when you reach the lake. Additional parking, if needed, is available 200 yards down the road.

Below is a link showing where we will meet:

Trailhead Location

Carpool to Event Distance (round trip):

125Mile(s)

Carpool Departure Time:

8:00 am

Carpool Location:

Carpool Directions:

Carpool Cost:

Estimated cost per vehicle for this event is $50.00 using a reimbursement rate guideline of $0.400 per mile. The total amount should be divided by the number of people in the vehicle, including the driver. This is a guideline, not a rule, for drivers but the cost should not be higher unless there are extenuating circumstances.

Notes:

There is a $5 fee per car to meter and park at Lake Winfield Scott.

AllTrails map (note: we will take the reverse of this route, going counterclockwise up Jarrard Gap Trail and returning on Slaughter Creek Trail).

* We encourage all members to follow our Etiquette Guidelines while participating in AOC events.

Cancellation/Partial Attendance: Please review the AOC cancellation policy.