Blood Mountain Trail

Two and half mile hike to the top of beautiful Blood Mountain. This is part of the Appalachian Trail that takes you from Neels Gap to the Top of Blood Mountain. Starting at the Waleisi-Yi Center at Neels Gap, you will head South on the Appalachian Trail. The Blood Mountain Trail starts across the street from teh Walasi-yi Center. Parking is 1/4 mile North of the Walasi-yi Center, there is a strick 20 minute limit on parking at the center.

The Walasi-yi Center was built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930’s (completed 1937) and originally used as an inn and restaurant for the few brave souls who ventured this far into the wilderness. Today the center is hiker’s paradise, here novice through trail hikers frequently stop and repack. They unload items they now feel are useless weight and spend the extra money to buy gear that shave valuable ounces off the total. You need a strong will not to come out with some type of high tech backpacking gear so don't forget your wallet.

The elevation at Neels Gap is 3,109 feet and the elevation atop Blood Mountain is 4,461 feet, so the ascent up Blood Mountain is quite steep, especially the last mile, gaining most of those 1350 feet. The first mile is easily walked and after the first mile you will come to the junctions of both the Freeman Trail and the Byron Herbert Reece Trail. The final mile traverses short and steep switchbacks quickly gaining altitude.

The summit of Blood Mountain is the highest point in Georgia of the Appalachian Trail. The famous stone shelter on top of Blood Mountain was built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in 1934. The Blood Mountain Shelter is a two-room stone shelter that is also listed in the National Register of Historic Places. Picnic rock is also a famous landmark on top of the mountian.