Fri, Dec 19 2025 - Blood Mountain and Neels Gap from Lake Winfield Scott (View Original Event Details) Trip Leader(s): Chuck M Participants: Chuck M, Donna P, Irina D, Jay D, Harry M, Jim, Daniel R, Leigh B, Sunnie

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Nine brave hikers marched out in very cold weather with 30 mph wind gusts and 15 mph sustained winds. We embarked on an exploratory hike combining the Jarrad Gap trail, AT, Freeman Trail, AT again, Neel Gap, AT again, Blood Mountain, and the Slaughter Creek trail! Most people had never been on all parts of the route, especially the Freeman Trail. The Freeman Trail lived up to its (very bad) reputation, but the beauty of the trail was more than adequate compensation for the rocks. We encountered a short section with black ice, but everyone got back uninjured and happy. To our surprise, everyone agreed the route was hard but beautiful enough to repeat. So we'll be seeing the Freeman Trail again, just not anytime soon!

Chuck