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Blood Mountain Hike - for Those New to the Mountains! With an added BONUS




The Basics:
Event Type:Hike
Event Location: Chattahoochee National Forest, Cleveland, GA 30528   Hike: Blood Mountain Hike - for Those New to the Mountains!  With an added BONUS  National Weather Service Forecast
Date(s) & Time:Sat, Aug 3 2013  9:00 am >> Sat, Aug 3 2013 2:00 pm  (Carpool Departure: 7:30 am   *log in for location*)
Registration Opens: Mon, Jul 29 2013 8:00 pm
Registration Cut Off: Fri, Aug 2 2013 6:00 pm
Event Duration:5 Hours
Difficulty Rating:D4: Moderate to Difficult
Distance:7.5 Miles
Pace:Moderate
Trip Leader(s):
Chad C
Aaron
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Member Cost:None

Participant Info:
Who's Invited: Members Only, 21 And Older Only
Maximum Group Size:14
Minimum Group Size:4
Number Registered So Far: 9 / 0 (To see who's signed up, log in to the Member Area)
Are Dogs Permitted: Yes

Itinerary:

This hike is designed for those who haven't gone up in the Mountains of North Georgia because they're not ready for a D5 hike through strenous terrain, but HAVE had some experience and want to start venturing out on slightly harder hikes.

We will stop at each crossroad for breaks so that everyone can hike at thier own pace, but still maintain the atmosphere and sense of group.

This 7.5-mile loop trail combines the Byron Herbert Reece Trail, Appalachian Trail and Freeman Gap Trail for a rugged midday hike through the gorgeous Chattahoochee Forest.  Blood Mountain is one of Georgia’s premier hiking destinations. At 4,458 ft. Blood Mountain is Georgia’s 6th tallest mountain. Its peak is the highest point along Georgia’s 76-mile long section of the AT.  Blood Mountain’s rugged wilderness offers breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains from several large, natural rock outcroppings.

We’ll start at the Parking lot for the Byron Herbert Reece trail.  Taking the Reece Trail, we’ll ascend .7 miles to Freeman Gap where the trail intersects the Appalachian Trail and the Freeman Gap Trail.  At this point we’ll bypass the summit approach to take the Freeman trail around the mountain (just under 2 miles) to where the trail intersects the AT on the southern approach to Blood Mountain.  After reaching the summit, we’ll plan on a late lunch and rest at the top to warm up and catch the magnificent view.  After this we’ll take the AT down the mountain to Freeman Gap where we’ll take the AT to Neel's Gap - home of Mountain Crossings.

I expect the entire trip to be approx 4-5 hours with stops for lunch and breaks. 

We typically head back down to Dahlonega for an late lunch/early dinner at Pueblo's for those who want to eat and make merry!  This is really a treat - just ask anyone who's done this hike with us before.

As an added bonus, we will hike to Mountain Crossings, the store at the top of Neels gap. We will do this at the end of the hike to take a restroom break and a check out the only place on the Appalachian Trail that goes under a man made structure.


Required Items to Bring:

Hiking Boots/Shoes

Appropriate Clothing, including Emergency Raingear

Water/Fluids

Lunch/Trail Food

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

Camera

Extra Clothes (for dinner/after hike)

Peanut M&Ms for Chad!!


How to Get There:
Event Directions:

From the Mansell Park and Ride north on GA 400. Continue on US 19/GA 60 once GA 400 ends. Take bypass through Dahlongea. Stay on US 19. Once you reach Walasi-Yi Inn you will be a quarter of a mile from the Byron Herbert Reece parking lot. The road into the lot in one way. If you have reached Vogel State Park you have gone too far. 

There is limited parking lot at the Bryon Herbert Reece lot . If there are not sufficent spaces we will shuttle from Vogel State Park (just down the road). Plan on at least 4 people per vehicle.  

Carpool to Event Distance (round trip):135Mile(s)
Carpool Departure Time: 7:30 am
Carpool Location:   Log in for location
Carpool Directions:   Log in for directions
Carpool Cost: Estimated cost per vehicle for this event is $54.00 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:
* We encourage all members to follow our Etiquette Guidelines while participating in AOC events.


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