The Worst Place To Hike On The Appalachian Trail Blood Mountain

Blood mountain is the worst place to hike on the Appalachian Trail in Georgia if you are looking to avoid a crowd. Parking at the Byron Reece Trailhead is extremely limited and the trail is crowded with people hiking in both directions. People do not have trail etiquette and do not move to the side to let others pass and are extremely loud.
My advice is to come here early and during the week as the weekends will bring the crowds and will impact your hike. The hike from the Bryon Reece Trailhead to blood mountain and back is about 5 miles or so and you can make it a loop with the Freeman Trail adding 1.5 miles for a total of 6.5.
For more information on hiking the Blood Mountain loop, please click the link below:
www.atlantatra...
#appalachian #trail #georgia #blood #mountain #hikertrash
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[@wadec4]

One of my favorite hikes in Georgia, I enjoy putting in at Lake WInfield Scott in Suches, catching Jarrard Gap to the AT and then following Slaughter Creek up the base of Blood Mtn and coming up the backside. Much smaller crowds and varying terrain. Just a beautiful hike that is both challenging and contemplative. Thanks for the video!

[@MetroOnTheMove]

Doug Carlton agreed! This place is great during the week for sure. Great views from the top!

[@claytonwhitehead3775]

My wife and I went to the Grand Canyon at the end of last September; we hiked the Bright Angel trail and that had a lot of people. Everything is relative I guess. I hiked Blood Mountain last Wednesday, 70 degrees on the first day of December. It was beautiful and peaceful. There were six cars in the trailhead parking lot when I got there, so you have to pick your time and your location. I enjoyed the video BTW. Thank you for posting.

[@MetroOnTheMove]

You got lucky with the parking as this place can definitely get packed. Glad you had a chance to explore this awesome place and see the views from the top! Appreciate the support!

[@BeaglesBackcountryAdventures]

Blood Mtn will forever be emblazoned in my mind, did it on my Georgia section NOBO, and found that coming down towards Neels Gap was harder than climbing the opposite side. Brutal! But the views were spectacular to say the least.

[@MetroOnTheMove]

Agreed! Some of the best views in Georgia and the downhill is super tough on the knees. Congrats on completing the Georgia section of the AT! That is tough!

[@KrizAkoni]

Very informative, thanks for posting! Eventually I'll work my way down there...looks like a very heavily used section.

[@dalepullins9827]

Thank you... Awesome review....

[@MetroOnTheMove]

Thank you my friend for the positive feedback! Hope you enjoy this channel as there is a lot of AT videos and places to hike on here. Cheers!

[@hikewithmike4673]

I have talked to a couple of folks who talked about hiking this section and said it was a rough section

[@MetroOnTheMove]

Especially during snow season! It’s my favorite time to be out there!

[@TheBeardedOutdoorsman18]

I went up Columbus Day weekend and it was extremely crowded. But a good hike.

[@MetroOnTheMove]

The Bearded Outdoorsman it can be very crowded on the weekend. I went from Blood Mountain to Woody Gap during the week and nearly saw anyone.

[@BushwhackingPhotography]

I agree 100%. Too many people and most were rude. It's part of the reason why I stick to bushwhacking. It's also why I avoid the AT. My wife and I did the loop, can't recall the name.

[@MetroOnTheMove]

I think you are referencing The Freeman Trail which is a lot better than the main trail during the weekends for sure. My favorite time to go, is right after a snowstorm or early during the week. Usually, you can avoid the crowds are not so bad then. Thanks for watching and the comment!

[@BushwhackingPhotography]

@@MetroOnTheMove That's the one.

[@charleseden5246]

I guess we got lucky cuz we are going so early in the morning when we hiked up blood Mountain it was about 7 a.m. when we got there may be a little bit before so parking at the Byron Reece Memorial Trailhead wasn't so bad... We just hiked up blood mountain and then went around the back way down the Freeman Trail... But you definitely aren't kidding when you said it was a tough hike I feel like I was in pretty good shape but it wore me out by the end of it

[@MetroOnTheMove]

Charles Eden yes, this an aggressive hike for sure and I truly love this area if the AT. You are correct! It is best to get there as early as possible and to take the Freeman Trail to avoid crowds. Thanks for watching!!

[@rockiehikestheappalachiant1695]

Great video

[@solid2713]

best view at the top with blossoming flowers

[@MetroOnTheMove]

Agreed! Spring is one of my favorite times to be at the Summit. Walking through the tunnels of flowers is great! Cheers!

[@highlonesome-coloradobluegrass]

its an awesome spot

[@MetroOnTheMove]

Agreed! You just better go early or skip the weekends completely because this place can be a zoo. A lot of people come here and don't practice leave no trace which can make it frustrating for hikers at times. However, the views are amazing and the Freeman trail is awesome!

[@danielfegley2735]

Do you know the history of how blood mountain got it's name

[@MetroOnTheMove]

Actually, I don't. Do you?

[@danielfegley2735]

@@MetroOnTheMove no that why I asked someone suggested I should find out but no results

[@MetroOnTheMove]

@@danielfegley2735 I think it was named after a battle between the Cherokee and creek Indians.

[@GratefulTrekker]

Yeah it was made busy last time I went there via slaughter creek trail

[@MetroOnTheMove]

Still a great spot! I prefer to go during the week and I like to hike from Neel Gap to Woody to make a good day hike out of it. Lance Creek is a great spot to camp as well.

[@GratefulTrekker]

Have you done the oops from lake Winfield Scott up to Jarred gap along to AT and back down slaughter creek trail? It's really nice and not crowded other than the AT portion....

[@Watercolorimp]

I watch a lot of your videos. Good job. Have to add though with the whole world trying to become famous, rich or just having an urge to document their lives by making KZbin videos about great places to hike, Bike, camp, swim etc don't you think this is going to draw people to these places they might never really have known of? It's not that it's the worst place to hike on the AT, it's just crowded on the weekends like beaches, movie theaters, malls etc.

[@MetroOnTheMove]

That is a very good point. Most of my videos are on places that are considered to be very popular and well known. I keep most of the hidden gems a secret. My goal with the channel is to help people to be inspired to live a heathy lifestyle by hiking and exploring the great outdoors. You are correct. This is not a bad place to hike and on the weekends, it is extremely packed. I tend to hike here during the week and during inclement weather such as snow when the trails are wide open. I appreciate your comment and is well heard. Thanks for watching and your support!

[@GeoffreyBell_ATL]

Looks like you need to arrive as early as possible, HAHAHAH!!

[@rockiehikestheappalachiant1695]

I love blood mountain... I have done Amicalola to neels gap and back 78 times now lol ... I live close to Amicalola

[@MetroOnTheMove]

That must be nice to have that park so close! That section is awesome! So many great views along the way. My favorite is Tray Mountain in GA.

[@rockiehikestheappalachiant1695]

@@MetroOnTheMove I am very blessed... I have helped many get on for their thru hiked... and I get to do trail magic a lot all the way to Fontana dam ❤️

[@MetroOnTheMove]

@@rockiehikestheappalachiant1695 That is awesome! I wish I could get out there more in the March-April months to provide more Trail Magic. So many people have done nice things for me like a powerade or snickers which is priceless after a few days on trail. Thank you for supporting the hiker community like you do!

[@themodrnpatriot4354]

You should definitely work on the volume of your music when your speaking. It’s hard to hear what you’re saying.

[@MetroOnTheMove]

AllZac'dUp Thank you for the suggestion. Still working on my editing skills with various programs. Thank you for watching and please subscribe for updates on future hikes in the Southeast!

[@HappyTrailsHiking]

So the trail is not the bad part, it’s the crowds. Sorry man!

[@MetroOnTheMove]

Happy Trails Hiking yep! The crowds are not traditional hikers, and do not practice good trail etiquette. If anything, this place should be avoided on the weekends for sure. The views are awesome and the hike is aggressive. It is straight up from the trailhead and about 5 miles round trip.

[@HappyTrailsHiking]

I am not sure if this question was directed at us, but we like to practice "Leave No Trace" Principles The Seven Leave No Trace Principles: Plan ahead and prepare. Travel and camp on durable surfaces. Dispose of waste properly. Leave what you find. Minimize campfire impacts (be careful with fire). Respect wildlife. Be considerate of other visitors. (This one is the hardest to define.) Here are the recommendations from the American Hiking Society. • Hike quietly. Speak in low voices and turn your cell phone down, if not off. Enjoy the sounds of nature and let others do the same. • If taking a break, move off the trail a ways to allow others to pass by unobstructed. • Don’t toss your trash - not even biodegradable items such as banana peels. It is not good for animals to eat non-native foods and who wants to look at your old banana peel while it ever-so-slowly decomposes? If you packed it in, pack it back out. • Hikers going downhill yield to those hiking uphill. • When bringing a pet on a hike, be sure to keep it on a leash and under control. Don’t forget to pack out pet waste as well. • Don’t feed the wildlife. While many animals stay hidden, others are not so shy. Giving these creatures food only disrupts their natural foraging habits. • Leave what you find. The only souvenirs a hiker should come home with are photographs and happy memories. (And maybe an improved fitness level!) • When relieving yourself outdoors, be sure to do so 200 feet away from the trail and any water sources. Follow Leave No Trace principles. • Walk through the mud or puddle and not around it, unless you can do so without going off the trail. Widening a trail by going around puddles, etc. is bad for trail sustainability. Just because it looks easy to cut the corner off of a switchback doesn’t mean it is a good idea. Help preserve the trail by staying on the trail. • If hiking in a group, don’t take up the whole width of the trail; allow others to pass.

[@MetroOnTheMove]

mortimer osullivan leave no trace is a great outline of things you can do while hiking I the backcountry. lnt.org/learn/seven-principles-overview in other words, people should be considerate of others while hiking. Share the trail, move to the side, keep you voice down, down blast music, smoke and such.

[@kcompitello123]

How this trail compare to Mt. Yonah?

[@MetroOnTheMove]

kcompitello123 it is about the same in terms of elevation gain and length of the hike. Both provide incredible views. Both are equally crowded during the weekends. However, you can extend your hike if you hike from Neel Gap to Woody Gap and you get a ton of views along the way. Cheers

[@kcompitello123]

Metro On The Move Coming from SWFL, looking to do a half day moderate hike with my teen guys. Staying near Helen. What hike would you recommend? Nothing too crazy.

[@MetroOnTheMove]

kcompitello123 If you have two cars or use a shuttle, I recommend hiking SOBO from Hogpen to Neel Gap. Plus, this section is just down the road from Helen. You get several awesome views along the way. I just released a video on this hike on my channel if you are interested. Cheers!