Backpacking West Face of Blood Mountain

This backpacking trip is designed for beginners who are reasonably fit and for those of you who want to experience a moderate backpacking trip to one of the more scenic destinations in Georgia.  We will backpack approximately 6 miles at a moderate pace. Beginning at Lake Winfield Scott, we'll backpack up the West face of Blood Mountain along the Slaughter Creek trail. After about 3 miles of backpacking, we'll look for a campsite shortly after the Slaughter Creek trail intersects the AT. This is a very popular destination, so we'll have to be somewhat flexible where we'll find camp. After lunch, we'll day hike up to the top of Blood Mountain. We'll then return to camp where everyone is on their own for dinner. Last year, a lot of of us shared various forms of mexican cuisine.  You don't have to share, but if you are so inclined, it's a lot of fun.  Also, we have experienced bears in this area before, so make sure you secure your food well.  The next day, we'll break camp around 10:00 AM and hike along the AT to the Jarrard Gap trail, which will return us to Lake Winfield Scott. There is no water at the top, so we'll also have to look for water after we set up camp (water is available along the Slaughter Creek trail, including at or near the intersection of the Slaughter Creek trail and the AT).

Parking is $5 per day.