Blood Mountain and Neels Gap from Lake Winfield Scott - Fri, Dec 19 2025

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.



Blood Mountain and Neels Gap from Lake Winfield Scott


The Basics:
Event Type:Hike
Event Location: Chattahoochee National Forest   Hike: Blood Mountain and Neels Gap from Lake Winfield Scott  National Weather Service Forecast
Date(s) & Time:Fri, Dec 19 2025  9:00 am >> Fri, Dec 19 2025 3:30 pm  (Carpool Departure: 7:00 am   *log in for location*)
Registration Opens: Wed, Dec 10 2025 7:00 am
Registration Cut Off: Thu, Dec 18 2025 4:00 pm
Event Duration:6 Hours 30 Minutes
Difficulty Rating:D5: Difficult (Exploratory)
Distance:11 Miles
Pace:Moderate
Trip Leader(s):
Chuck M
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Member Cost:None

Participant Info:
Who's Invited: Members Only, 21 And Older Only
Maximum Group Size:10
Minimum Group Size:3
Number Registered So Far: 2 / 0 (To see who's signed up, log in to the Member Area)
Are Dogs Permitted: No

Note: This is an "EXPLORATORY" trip. This means that there are parts of this trip, or perhaps the whole trip, that is new to your Trip Leader(s). However, they are confident that this will not be an issue.
This note is here so that you can make an informed decision. When a Trip Leader isn't personally familiar with a trip, there is an increased chance of things not going as planned and you need to be prepared. The Trip Leader may have additional details in the itinerary.

Itinerary:

This hike will start and end at Lake Winfield Scott, climb to the AT on the Jarrard Gap Trail, then follow the AT to the Freeman Trail. Then we will hike the Freeman Trail around Blood Mountain to the AT, where we will continue on the Northbound AT to Mountain Crossing at Neels Gap. At Mountain Crossing we will take a lunch break before returning up the AT to Blood Mountain, where we will pause to soak in the views and take a few photos. After submitting Blood Mouintain we will continue down the AT to the Slaughter Creek Trail, and we will take that trail back to lake Winfield Scott.

The hike is approximately 11 miles with about 3,000 feet elevation gain. But it will be harder than the numbers make it sound because the Freeman Trail is generally considered quite difficult and rugged.

Note that this hike is marked exploratory because it is a new combination of trails for me. That means that the duration is an estimate that may be incorrect. So bring your sense of adventure and sense of humor! Don't sign up if it is important to you to know what time we will end.  

Strong D4 experience or higher is required for this event. I will move you to the waitlist if you don't have appropriate club experience. If you have a recording outside the club from the last three months you can email a link to the trip leader and I'll consider it.

There are no bathrooms at the trailhead, but there are porta-potties at Mountain Crossing, and there is a privy at the Blood Mountain shelter.

Required Items to Bring:

Water

Lunch 

Appropriate clothing for predicted temperatures (assume predictions may be off up to 15 degrees, and always be prepared for rain!)

$5 (per car) for US Park Service parking fee, or annual pass

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

Hiking poles

Rain gear (even if no rain is predicted)


How to Get There:
Event Directions:

Lake Winfield Scott Rercreation Area, near Suches, Georgia.

We will meet at the small parking lot on the left before the lake.

This should link to the parking area:

Google Maps: https://www.google.com/maps/place/%2034%C2%B04 4'14.6%22N+83%C2%B058'25.0%22W


Apple Maps: https://maps.apple.com/? ll=34.737159,-83.973707&q=Dropped%20Pin&t=m

Carpool to Event Distance (round trip):152Mile(s)
Carpool Departure Time: 7:00 am
Carpool Location:   Log in for location
Carpool Directions:   Log in for directions
Carpool Cost: Estimated cost per vehicle for this event is $60.80 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:

Will cancel if heavy or continuous rain is forecast.


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


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