DATE CHANGE: Blood Mountain from Byron Reece Trail - Tue, Apr 4 2023

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.



DATE CHANGE: Blood Mountain from Byron Reece Trail


The Basics:
Event Type:Hike
Event Location: Byron Herbert Reece Trailhead   Hike: DATE CHANGE: Blood Mountain from Byron Reece Trail  National Weather Service Forecast
Date(s) & Time:Tue, Apr 4 2023  9:15 am >> Tue, Apr 4 2023 3:30 pm  (Carpool Departure: 9:15 am   *log in for location*)
Registration Opens: Wed, Mar 29 2023 10:00 am
Registration Cut Off: Mon, Apr 3 2023 8:00 pm
Event Duration:6 Hours 15 Minutes
Difficulty Rating:D4: Moderate to Difficult
Distance:5 Miles
Pace:Moderate
Trip Leader(s):
Memphis Russ
Laurie M
Email Trip Leader(s)
You must be logged in to get the Trip Leader contact information.
Member Cost:None

Participant Info:
Who's Invited: Members Only, 21 And Older Only
Maximum Group Size:12
Minimum Group Size:2
Number Registered So Far: 7 / 0 (To see who's signed up, log in to the Member Area)
Are Dogs Permitted: No

Itinerary:

Please note we have changed the date from Monday to Tuesday due to weather. Let's go see some beautiful views from the 4,459 foot peak of Blood Mountain! Blood Mountain is the highest peak on the Georgia section of the Appalachian Trail, and it is the sixth-highest mountain in Georgia.

We will start at the Byron Reece Trailhead and hike until we intersect with the Appalachian Trail. Then we will turn right and head uphill on the AT until we reach the summit of Blood Mountain. Up on top, we will spend about 30 minutes taking in the fabulous views and eating the lunches we brought along. We will also see the Blood Mountain Shelter, built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s. And if anyone wants, you can also visit the privy just south of the shelter. After enjoying our time at the top of Blood Mountain, we will retrace our steps back to the parking lot and head home.

Please note that this is going to be a steep, rocky climb to the summit, and could also be wet and muddy in some areas depending on recent weather. This is not a beginner hike. We will be staying together on this hike, so you need to be able to climb at a steady pace with limited stops to stay with the group. If you do not have recent D4 experience with the AOC, you may be contacted by the trip leaders to assess your fitness for this hike.

There are no bathrooms at the trailhead, but you can make a quick stop at the Mountain Crossings store just before getting to the parking lot. Also, there is a privy just south of the shelter on top of the mountain.

Parking is free at MARTA's Mansell Road Park and Ride Parking Lot and at the Byron Reece trailhead. 

If you are not carpooling, please note that the hike from the Byron Reece trailhead will start promptly at 10:45am.


Required Items to Bring:

Plenty of water

Lunch/snacks

Good, sturdy hiking shoes

Clothing layers

Cash for your driver (if carpooling)

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

Hiking Poles (highly recommended)

Hat

Sunscreen

Bug spray

Change of shoes and dry clothes (if carpooling)


How to Get There:
Event Directions:

GA-400 Directions: Head North on GA-400 till the end. Continue Straight onto GA- 115. Continue  Across Hwy 52 onto Long Branch Rd., which continues Straight onto Copper Mines Rd. Continue to a Dead End at Cavender Creek Rd., Turn Left. Then, Turn Right on Town Creek Church Rd. Continue, until Frogtown Rd., Turn Left. At Y intersection of Frogtown Rd., Continue Left on Frogtown Rd. Continue to a Dead End at Damascus Church Rd., Turn Left. Continue to Hwy 19 & 9, Turn Right. Continue to a Dead End at Hwy. 129, Turn Left. Continue Past Mountain Crossings Store, on your right. Continue 1 mile, Turn Left (one way) into the Byron Herbert Reece Trailhead parking lot. The drive is approximately 1 hour and 20 minutes from MARTA's Mansell Road Park and Ride.

Carpool to Event Distance (round trip):130Mile(s)
Carpool Departure Time: 9:15 am
Carpool Location:   Log in for location
Carpool Directions:   Log in for directions
Carpool Cost: Estimated cost per vehicle for this event is $52.00 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:

The end time listed here is the approximate time the carpoolers will get back to the MARTA park and ride location.

Parking is free at MARTA's Mansell Road Park and Ride Parking Lot and at the Byron Reece trailhead.

There are no bathrooms at the trailhead, but you can make a quick stop at the Mountain Crossings store just before getting to the parking lot. Also, there is a privy just south of the shelter on top of the mountain.


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


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