New Byron Reece Trail to Blood Mountain and Lake Winfield Scott - Wed, Jul 29 2026

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.



New Byron Reece Trail to Blood Mountain and Lake Winfield Scott


The Basics:
Event Type:Hike
Event Location: Byron Reece Trailhead   Hike: New Byron Reece Trail to Blood Mountain and Lake Winfield Scott  National Weather Service Forecast
Date(s) & Time:Wed, Jul 29 2026  9:00 am >> Wed, Jul 29 2026 3:00 pm  (Carpool Departure: 7:00 am   *log in for location*)
Registration Opens: Thu, Jul 23 2026 7:00 am
Registration Cut Off: Tue, Jul 28 2026 6:00 pm
Event Duration:6 Hours
Difficulty Rating:D5: Difficult (Exploratory)
Distance:12 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:12
Minimum Group Size:3
Number Registered So Far: 3 / 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:

Join me on my first hike on the newly relocated Byron Reece trail! We will hike up the new trail that rises more gradually to join the AT, then we will take the AT to Blood Mountain. After soaking in the great views we will continue on the AT until we reach the Slaughter Creek trail, which we will follow to Lake Winfield Scott. There we will break for lunch (and bathrooms!). I can't swear we won't jump in the lake! 

After lunch we will head back to the AT on the Jarrard Gap trail, then follow the AT back over Blood Mountain to the Byron Reece trail and our cars. Because I have not hiked this new trail, the distance and finish time are just estimates. Please be flexible. 

We will be hiking as a group. You will only get credit if you keep with the group. Because this is a strenuous hike that we will do at not-quite-fast pace (roughly 2.7 mph), if you don't have recent D5 experience you will be moved to the waitlist. If you send the trip leader a link to a non-AOC experience that is comparable and recent, he will consider it. 


Required Items to Bring:

Water (2 L recommended)

Lunch

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

Hiking poles

Snacks


How to Get There:
Event Directions:

Entering "Byron Reece trailhead parking" in either Google or Apple Maps will take you to the right place. There are no bathrooms at the trailhead, but there is a privy on Blood Mountain and very nice bathrooms at Lake Winfield Scott. If we find a good place to stop, we may stop for a bathroom break on the way to the trailhead. Note that there is no cell service at the trailhead.

Carpool to Event Distance (round trip):162Mile(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 $64.80 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:
* We encourage all members to follow our Etiquette Guidelines while participating in AOC events.


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