I have really wanted to do a hike that truly challenged me, and if you hike seriously in Georgia, that usually involves Blood Mountain, which at 4,461 feet is the highest point on the AT in the state. I had spread my guide books and maps out a few weeks ago, and mapped out a route that would take me over Blood Mountain via Lake Winfield Scott. I was not going to be satisfied like most to hike to the top and back however. I wanted to go down the other side, and catch an alternate trail back.
True to my usual nature, I decided to do it mid-week, and then thought of various reasons why I should “chicken out” the rest of the week. I was not 100% certain what I would do until I got near Suches, but I decided to go for it.
With the recent murder in the area, I confess to being a bit apprehensive. I took some comfort in the fact that when I drove by Woody Gap, the parking lot was already half full. I arrived at Lake Winfield Scott at 10 AM, pulling into the parking lot next to a group of Scouts on their first backpacking trip. It seemed as if I would have plenty of company.
I hiked up to the AT via the Jarrad Gap Trail (1.2 mi, Climb: ***, Terrain: ***, Interest: ****). I then went North on the AT toward Blood Mountain. The AT is fairly steep in this area, and Blood Mountain periodically comes into view, making me constantly rethink my agenda. It is roughly 2.3 miles from Jarrad Gap to Slaughter Gap, where the ascent of Blood Mountain really begins. By the time I got to Slaughter Gap, I was already pretty winded.
I pressed ahead, and began the climb. I was close to a small group of Asian tourists with a professional guide a good bit of the way up, passing them at points, and having them pass me. I guess this distracted me from the climb, which seemed anti-climactic at that point. Before I realized it, I was on the summit, with my Asian friends, and yet another group of Scouts.
I am not sure my vocabulary includes sufficient words for the view from Blood Mountain. It is both breathtaking and incredible, causing me to suspend Rule #1. There are numerous large rocks at the top from which you can take in various vistas. I was also able to take a quick look inside the historic Blood Mountain Shelter (nice place to visit, but I would not want to stay there), which is literally right at the top.
I found myself on top of one of the rocks with the Asian group and guide, so I took the liberty of asking him some important questions, such as how far it was to down to the side trail, and more importantly, the location of the privy, of which I was in desperate need by this time.
After a suitable visit, I began the descent on the North side. It was slow going, because there were numerous vista opportunities, all of which I
wanted to take in. I found the Freeman Trail (1.8 mi, Climb: **, Terrain: *****, Interest: ****) after 1.3 miles, as the guide promised. It was build as a bypass for the AT over Blood Mountain in the event of inclement weather. One of the reasons I decided to use this trail on the return trip was the fact that it had little elevation change. As I would soon learn, there is more to a trail that elevation change! The guide had warned me to be careful because of the number of rocks and boulders on this trail. He did not exaggerate! I can generally keep a steady 3 MPH pace, even in the mountains. It took be an hour just to do this trail however. To do this trail, one must be part hiker and part mountain goat, with numerous rock climbs required at vaious places.
That being said, if you take the time to look around, Freeman is a very scenic trail. The path crosses over no less that 4 descent waterfalls. I feared I would be alone the whole time on this trail, but was surprised at the number of other hikers I met.
During my stretch on Freeman, I was thinking on and off about work, primarily the decisions I have to make next week that will have a dramatic impact on people’s lives. I was experiencing surprising peace about the situation however.
Freeman is very poorly blazed, and with the number of rocks that must be climbed, it can be hard to follow. I would find myself walking on a section of clearly defined trail, but fretting about what would happen 100 yards ahead when I could not see where the trail was headed. I would invariably get to that point, and then be able to see where the trail went. It occurred to me that this was a metaphor for my life. Even when my footing is secure, I am always looking 100 yards ahead, and trying to figure out where life will take me. God would clearly have me concern myself with the section of trail I am on at any given moment, and not worry about where it goes well ahead of me.
I finally got back to the AT at Bird Gap, and started South back toward Jarrad Gap. It seemed much longer on the trip back that it did on the way up, even though the return was mostly downhill. I did derive a certain satisfaction when I passed the Asian group. In the time it took them to eat lunch at the top, and make the trip back down, I went all the way down the other side, all the way around on Freeman, and caught them about a mile South on the AT.
I set out to do a hike that truly challenged me, and at a total time of 4.5 hours (with less than 15 minutes of that stopped), I achieved my goal. I am pleased with myself today, but I may decide I am too old for this tomorrow when my sore muscles make themselves known.
True to my usual nature, I decided to do it mid-week, and then thought of various reasons why I should “chicken out” the rest of the week. I was not 100% certain what I would do until I got near Suches, but I decided to go for it.
With the recent murder in the area, I confess to being a bit apprehensive. I took some comfort in the fact that when I drove by Woody Gap, the parking lot was already half full. I arrived at Lake Winfield Scott at 10 AM, pulling into the parking lot next to a group of Scouts on their first backpacking trip. It seemed as if I would have plenty of company.
I hiked up to the AT via the Jarrad Gap Trail (1.2 mi, Climb: ***, Terrain: ***, Interest: ****). I then went North on the AT toward Blood Mountain. The AT is fairly steep in this area, and Blood Mountain periodically comes into view, making me constantly rethink my agenda. It is roughly 2.3 miles from Jarrad Gap to Slaughter Gap, where the ascent of Blood Mountain really begins. By the time I got to Slaughter Gap, I was already pretty winded.
I pressed ahead, and began the climb. I was close to a small group of Asian tourists with a professional guide a good bit of the way up, passing them at points, and having them pass me. I guess this distracted me from the climb, which seemed anti-climactic at that point. Before I realized it, I was on the summit, with my Asian friends, and yet another group of Scouts.
I am not sure my vocabulary includes sufficient words for the view from Blood Mountain. It is both breathtaking and incredible, causing me to suspend Rule #1. There are numerous large rocks at the top from which you can take in various vistas. I was also able to take a quick look inside the historic Blood Mountain Shelter (nice place to visit, but I would not want to stay there), which is literally right at the top.
I found myself on top of one of the rocks with the Asian group and guide, so I took the liberty of asking him some important questions, such as how far it was to down to the side trail, and more importantly, the location of the privy, of which I was in desperate need by this time.
After a suitable visit, I began the descent on the North side. It was slow going, because there were numerous vista opportunities, all of which I
wanted to take in. I found the Freeman Trail (1.8 mi, Climb: **, Terrain: *****, Interest: ****) after 1.3 miles, as the guide promised. It was build as a bypass for the AT over Blood Mountain in the event of inclement weather. One of the reasons I decided to use this trail on the return trip was the fact that it had little elevation change. As I would soon learn, there is more to a trail that elevation change! The guide had warned me to be careful because of the number of rocks and boulders on this trail. He did not exaggerate! I can generally keep a steady 3 MPH pace, even in the mountains. It took be an hour just to do this trail however. To do this trail, one must be part hiker and part mountain goat, with numerous rock climbs required at vaious places.That being said, if you take the time to look around, Freeman is a very scenic trail. The path crosses over no less that 4 descent waterfalls. I feared I would be alone the whole time on this trail, but was surprised at the number of other hikers I met.
During my stretch on Freeman, I was thinking on and off about work, primarily the decisions I have to make next week that will have a dramatic impact on people’s lives. I was experiencing surprising peace about the situation however.
Freeman is very poorly blazed, and with the number of rocks that must be climbed, it can be hard to follow. I would find myself walking on a section of clearly defined trail, but fretting about what would happen 100 yards ahead when I could not see where the trail was headed. I would invariably get to that point, and then be able to see where the trail went. It occurred to me that this was a metaphor for my life. Even when my footing is secure, I am always looking 100 yards ahead, and trying to figure out where life will take me. God would clearly have me concern myself with the section of trail I am on at any given moment, and not worry about where it goes well ahead of me.
I finally got back to the AT at Bird Gap, and started South back toward Jarrad Gap. It seemed much longer on the trip back that it did on the way up, even though the return was mostly downhill. I did derive a certain satisfaction when I passed the Asian group. In the time it took them to eat lunch at the top, and make the trip back down, I went all the way down the other side, all the way around on Freeman, and caught them about a mile South on the AT.
I set out to do a hike that truly challenged me, and at a total time of 4.5 hours (with less than 15 minutes of that stopped), I achieved my goal. I am pleased with myself today, but I may decide I am too old for this tomorrow when my sore muscles make themselves known.
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