Blood Mountain: Appalachian Legend

"The meanest road seems good to roam."- The Travelers - Byron Herbert Reece

Never changing, looking over a vast landscape covered in the peaks and valleys of the surrounding mountains, Blood Mountain stands as a monolith. While sitting on its stoney summit, you are struck by waves of time, as the wind blows through gaps in foliage. As you look over the sea of trees and lesser peaks, you feel like you’re looking into the distant past. The only sound on the peak comes from the wind blowing across its rocky summit, and the far off sound of a rushing waterfall.  

I’d like to think that I am in fairly good shape. I can lift heavy things, I can run or hike long distances, but Blood Mountain knocked me down a few pegs. I’ve never been too great with swift elevation changes, and with a 1400 foot gain in 2.15 miles the peak of Blood will test your idea of “in shape”. Granted, I was also carrying around 30lbs of camera equipment and water, but still the hike up was rough. Yes, I know all of you hikers with more experience might be scoffing at my struggle, but I’m still proud that I make it to the peak every time that I try to explore Blood Mountain. 

I’d break down the trail into two and a half stages. From the trailhead you’ll make your way down an easy trail lined with mountain laurels and old growth trees on each side. In the spring the laurels pop with bright blooms, while in the fall you can see a myriad of color as the leaves change. Eventually you’ll hit the switchbacks, and zig-zag your way over natural stone steps, up a steep grade that will eventually intersect with the Appalachian Trail. 

Turning left will take you to the Neel’s Gap Mountain Crossing Store, which is the first store that AT hikers meet on the trail, if they start in Georgia. Turing right will take you on up towards the summit of Blood Mountain. Following the iconic White Blazes, the trail becomes more rocky. You will have to climb over several boulders and outcroppings. The foliage will start to change as well, moving from the mix of evergreens and old growth, mountain laurels will start to become more prevalent. 

As you approach the summit, you’ll run into several rocky outcrops that provide a clearing in the trees that offers stunning views of the Chattahoochee National Forest. 

These areas are perfect for hanging up a hammock and recovering from the hike up the mountain. Once you reach these rocky areas, you’re not too far off from the “peak”. A two-room stone hiker’s shelter, and some huge boulders await at the very top of the mountain. Standing on the top of these 20ish foot boulders, you look out south over the Blood Mountain Wilderness. 

The landscape has hardly changed for millennia. For me, whenever I look over a landscape that has pretty much remained unchanged for ages, my mind starts to wander. Who has stood where I stand? How many thousands of thru-hikers have stood on that same rock, looking out over an ocean of trees? One of the theories of how Blood Mountain, and its neighbor “Slaughter Mountain” got their names is from a brutal battle between the Cherokee and Creek Nations. If the legend is true, the history of such an event fascinates me. Imagining such a brutal battle with the peaceful back drop of the surrounding mountains is hard to fathom, but would give credence to the mountain’s intense name. 

All-in-all Blood Mountain is a spectacular hike with an incredible pay off at the summit. Plan your trip accordingly though, bring waterproof and sturdy boots, as well as plenty of water and food, and you’re bound to have a great time trekking to the highest point of the Appalachian Trail in Georgia.