^^ Summit GA’s Highest Peaks: #4 - Blood Mountain (4458’) ^^

The North Georgia mountains may not be the Rockies (or the Himalayas), but they include many mtns that make for superb hikes and offer incredible views.  For this series, we are counting down the highest peaks in GA...

At 4458' above sea level and with 1476' of clean prominence, Blood Mountain is perhaps the most famous peak in Georgia. Located on the border of Lumpkin County and Union County, Blood Mountain has the highest section of the Appalachian Trail in Georgia, and is the fourth tallest mountain in Georgia. The two-room stone shelter on top of Blood Mountain was built by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) in 1934 and is listed in the National Register of Historic Places.

We will follow the blue blazed Byron Herbert Reece Access Trail (formerly known as Blood Mountain Spur) along a rhododendron-lined creek and under sparse hardwoods to a four-way intersection at Flatrock Gap - 0.7 miles. We will continue straight on the Freeman Trail, the route hugs the southern contours of Blood Mountain on a gradual climb up to Bird Gap (3,700 feet). We then turn right to continue on the Appalachian Trail (AT) (white blazes) that lead up to the Blood Mountain shelter and summit. To finish, we descend the AT almost 1,000 feet to Flatrock Gap; then turn left and backtrack on the blue blazed Byron Herbert Reece Access Trail to the trailhead.

Parking at the Bryon Herbert Reece parking lot is limited to 24 cars. Plan on riding in a vehicle with at least 4 people. Because of the parking restrictions I am going to require all people to participate in the carpool.