Blood Mountain - Appalachian Trail Hike

Lately my training has been getting a bit more consistent. I have been working on just steady improvement and consistency and this week I had a good mix of SBR. Since this weekend, I was alone, I set out on a new adventure...begin tackling the Georgia mountains/trails.

On Friday, I decided that I would begin with Blood Mountain. This is part of the Appalachian Trail, and one of the highest points in Georgia. I have access to a ton of great places to hike and they are all close by! I have never been on the Appalachian Trail and decided this was a great place to start. One of my goals this year, is to get in at least 20 long hikes (long is anything over 4 hours for me). These are all done Chuckie style, that is The Caveman Way.

After a quick google of "best places to hike in georgia", I came across Blood Mountain. It's just north of Atlanta and Blood Mountain climbs to 4,446 feet above sea level. As mentioned above it is part of the Appalachian Trail that extends all the way to Main. A little side note, after being out on the trail for a few days, I can only dream of the day my kids and I hike the entire Appalachian Trail....boys...take note! The name Blood Mountain supposedly came from bloody battles (aren't all battles bloody?) between the Creek and the Cherokee Indians. I didn't see any Indians or battles over my 2 days, but I was ready just in case!

After 2 days on the trail, all I have to say is AWESOME! It was exciting to be out in the woods hiking by myself. In fact, I have never really hiked or slept outside alone or without a tent...just a sleeping bad under the stars. Most of the trip was breathtaking with the all scenery (streams, views, cliffs, animals). It was peaceful, amazing, and surreal.

The only time I cowered like a baby was at night when some animal began playing with my head while I was sleeping. I naturally awoke and was ready for a dog-fight or bear-fight, but all in all I think it was a bug or nat. I am big wuss! All the talk of bears and rattlesnakes always puts me on the edge. So that bug was just lucky I didn't knife him! Besides, what are the odds a bear would want to kisss me?

With all of my fear of the dark and bugs, simply looking up in the lit sky was all anyone needed. The sky was clear and I saw more stars than anywhere else I had ever been. I tried snapping a few pics, but they didn't turn out. My campsite was nestled on a little spot near a flowing creek and enclosed by a circle of big trees. So laying on my back looking up, I could see the stars right through a circle of tree tops. It was very cool. I will definitely be back to Blood Mountain again and perhaps for a mini cycling weekend (huge area for cyclists and cycle cabins).

Chuckie - this could be a great place for an EAST COAST camp.......

Total mileage = no idea
Hours spent on trail = no idea

Pictures will be posted soon.