I’m taking my daughter and mom with me up Blood Mountain next week and none of us has ever been there before. Is the trail there (which I’ve read is most used trail in Georgia) really clear and open or is the brush, poison ivy, ticks,etc. all over the trail? Weather forecast says the high is only 82 so we’re trying to decide between shorts or pants and stuff to bring. Appreciate your advice!
Allyson
My wife and I hiked up Blood Mountain several years back in May. I remember the trail up from Walasi Yi being clearly marked and open with a number of switch backs. It is about 2 1/2 miles one way. Personally, I would wear non-cotton hiking shorts and top, and carry a light weight rain jacket in my day pack, just in case. Maybe someone with more up-to-date experience hiking Blood Mountain will respond. I am sure you, your daughter and mother will enjoy the hike. The views are very nice, and you will see a large “balanced rock” along the trail. Great hiking, PaPa Larry PS Depending on your start time, you will find a lot of great places on top of the mountain to have lunch and enjoy the views.
PaPa Larry
There are a couple options for hiking to the top of Blood. The most popular is to drive north from Neals Gap and park at the Byron Herbert Reece parking lot on the left (west) side of the road about .5 miles past the AT road crossing. Take the Herbert Reese Trail till it joins the AT (about .75 mile)and turn right onto the AT. With both trails, its about a 2.5-3 mile one way trip to the top. Shorts will be fine.
I used this route last Saturday and was amazed to have the summit to myself for 20 minutes or so. I climbed on top of the big rock next to shelter and had a snack and just enjoyed being in such a place alone. I’ve NEVER had that happen before. There are always people there.
Both trails were clear and well marked as always. On the way back down, take care to not miss the side trail back to the parking lot, or you will end up in Neals Gap. There is also one place just after coming off of the summit where the trail turns left into the woods that is easy to miss. Watch for the blazes on the bare rock any you should have no trouble. And make sure to carry plenty of water. I see people there all the time who either didn’t bring any water, or only brought a little.
Take care,
dnation
dnation
I hiked from Woody Gap to Neel’s Gap on June 25th.
It was a rainy day on and off but it was a great hike. Had the trail mostly to myself. My guide book claimed 10.7 miles but with the relocation I think a little longer. Check the mileage sign at Neel’s Gap.
With all the rainy weather that month, water was available all along the trail. In many places it gushed out of the mountain right on the trail. After Woods Hole shelter there was none. If I were to make an over night of this trip I would stay at Wood’s Hole. The shelter was clean, had a broom, register, and I think bear bag cables. Also I would have been fresh for the trip up to Blood.
The Blood mountain shelter is a great old shelter that everyone interested in AT hiking should visit. I enjoyed seeing it to dry off, warm up and eat lunch out of the rain but it was so foggy/rainy I could not get a picture of it. Only a foggy shape.
I found it VERY nasty, no broom, no register and quite smelly. (in a port-a-john way) I would not have liked to spend the night there. Perhaps someone on this thread can confirm if a broom has been installed.
My hike down Blood to Neel’s Gap was pretty rough as it was in a down pour. The trail itself was a fast stream and without hiking poles I would not have tried it.
I also think I would have enjoyed the push up Blood Mountain eariler in the day instead of at the end as I was tired.
Woody Gap is a great place to start from and park(2 dollar fee) and you can arange a shuttle with the Hiker Hostel for any access to/from the AT in GA. Check out their web site.
Hopefully you will choose a better day than I did. The views are suppose to be fantastic.
This route is a FULL day but well worth the effort.
Enjoy your hike.
pete56