Blood Mountain via Jarrard Gap and Slaugther Creek Trails (Union County, Georgia)

Today will mark my third trip to the summit of Blood Mountain, and I believe along the final path to the top. It will also be my first trip completely during daylight, as my previous two were either evening or overnight hikes. When my friends in one of the local Meetup groups mentioned hiking this route from Jarrard Gap, its seemed only fitting that I should complete the trifecta and visit this high-point on the Georgia section of the AT from all possible angles.

Leaving the trailhead near Lake Winfield Scott around 11:00 AM, the twenty-or-so of us immediately encounter some rain on our ascent. We knew there was a chance of this and the thick fog driving up the mountain should have been another clue of things to come, but we decided to persevere and do the hike anyway. We're stubborn like that.

The trail is covered with leaves, but fairly easy to find. The rain fluctuates between a light mist and a steady pour, but never gets too bad. However, the combination of wind and rain do make for some thermal challenges and we stop a couple of times on the way up to shed and later add layers. 

Eventually meeting up with the AT near the summit, we quickly find the Blood Mountain Shelter and begin climbing the rocks to see what kind of views are available on this foggy day from 4,459 feet. The answer is really none. We surrounded by a thick bank of fog blocking the view in all directions. It's fine though. I've been here before and seen the wonderful views available from this mountain top.

We take a few minutes to get a quick snack in the shelter before heading back down the slippery trail. Instead of returning the way we came, we take a different route along the Slaughter Creek as we make our way back to our starting point. This path provides some outstanding views of the creek and the path our leader takes us on, which is not well known, actually crosses the small creek several times over a series of small wooden bridges and planks. Some of which turn out to be very slippery.

*Note - Photo courtesy of the Hiking League Meetup

After returning to the parking lot cold and wet, many of us do a quick change into some dryer clothes and decide to head to one of the nearby wineries to enjoy a little vino and celebrate our triumph over this nasty weather. Total mileage for the day was about 8.5 miles and while there was some elevation gain, it really didn't feel like much at all.