Blood Mountain Cove - The Hidden Waterfall Wonderland

With all the rain we've been having we should pay a visit to Blood Mountain Cove. Big thanks to Mark Reffett for showing this cove to me. This area includes some incredible waterfalls and cascades but several can only be accessed by going off- trail. We will be getting up close and personal with these falls. Typically, this hike includes a hike to the top of Blood Mountain but we will skip it this time to keep the hike in the D5 range. We will also be skipping one cascade for the same reason. Make no mistake, this hike is not like hiking the AT. We will be scrambling over rocks and roots where one slip and you're going to end up wet or hurt. We will likely run into muddy trails. We will be doing some butt-sliding and pushing through some heavy brush and possibly briers. Our pace will be moderate and we will stick closely together to avoid leaving anyone behind. Finally, we will spend a little time at each of the waterfalls for everyone to enjoy the views and take photos.

Elevation gain will be roughly 2300-2500 feet.

There are several water crossings so hiking poles, extra socks, and towels are a great idea.

Hopefully our logistics (cars and open gates) will be such that we can ford a stream in trucks and start our hike at the base of lower Blood Mountain Creek falls. If not, we will have a short 1.5 mile road hike plus a water crossing to get to our main trail head. The lower Blood Mountain Creek falls is really a 100+ foot cascade or sluice made of a number 10-50 foot waterfalls. After we ascend up the cascade on a very rough trail, we will hike on an old trail that follows Blood Mountain Creek. After a couple miles we will visit middle Blood Mountain Creek falls. Continuing up the creek, we will depart from the trail and begin another off-trail section up a boulder field until we reach upper Blood Mountain Creek falls. This will be a nice spot to have lunch and catch some sun if it is out.

After lunch we will hike around the upper falls and continue up the cove through heavy brush until we reach the Freeman Trail. (If everyone wants to go to the top of Blood, we can change our plans but otherwise will will continue with the plan laid out here.) The Freeman Trail will take us to the AT where we will head south for a bit until we depart for another off-trail section. Now descending back into the cove, we will eventually start following Dicks Creek. We will come upon another grand cascade of fast moving water. We will hike down just to the side of the roaring falls. At the base of the cascade, we will pick up a trail that will eventually lead us back to the top of lower Blood Mountain Creek falls. You will be glad that we get to walk by this cascade twice--it's incredible!

While the rain will make the creeks and waterfalls awesome, there is a chance that the high waters and downed trees may block our path. A flexible state of mind is the key here.

I may remove inexperienced hikers due to the strenuous nature of this hike. If you are unsure, send me an email and we can discuss. I will keep this trip to 8 hikers to limit our off-trail impact.

Directions will be distributed at the carpool or upon equest.

I am allowing up to 3 well behaved dogs on this hike.  However, the dogs must be able to complete the hike (it's tough) and they must be able to be trusted off leash during the off-trail portions as it is impossible to have a dog on a leash in these areas.  The TL has the right to refuse any dog if they believe they are not suited for this hike.