Woody Gap to Hogpen Gap
AT miles hiked - 38.2
AT miles to go - 2,154.8
On Friday, July 10, 2020, I set out with the intention of conquering Blood Mountain and my next section of the Appalachian Trail. Blood Mountain is the highest point on the AT in Georgia at 4,459 feet. I started off at Woody Gap where I last left the trail back in March and was hoping to complete the hike over Blood Mountain from Woody Gap to Neels Gap as a day hike. Mileage-wise the hike was only about 9 miles. Nevertheless, the heat and humidity that day was very unpleasant and Blood Mountain conquered me! A little after noon I had just passed Jarrard Gap but I still had the almost 2 mile climb up Blood Mountain ahead of me and with the heat and humidity I just was not feeling it. So, I called my trail angels (Marci and Erin) and had them pick me up at Lake Winfield Scott which was just a short hike down from Jarrard Gap. I was frustrated at not completing the planned section, but grateful to have wonderful trail angels. They were planning on picking me up at Neels Gap anyway and just had to re-route a bit to meet me at the new pickup location.
On Saturday, July 18, Erin accompanied me and this time we attacked Blood Mountain going southbound from Neels Gap. The ascent is actually longer going southbound, but I much prefer tackling long climbs first thing in the morning when I'm feeling strong. Marci drove us to Neels Gap and hung around in North Georgia to pick us up later when we finished back at Lake Winfield Scott. Erin set a good steady pace and we made it to the top of Blood Mountain in about an hour and 45 minutes. Since it was a Saturday, the trail was quite busy with lots of hikers. After a short rest at the summit, we continued on our way southbound until we reached Jarrard Gap and took the side trail back down to the lake. It felt great to finally have Blood Mountain completed!
The following Tuesday, July 21, Erin and I hiked the next section of trail again going southbound from Hogpen Gap to Neels Gap. This time we were accompanied by my nephew, Brandon Rollins. The day was mostly cloudy which kept the temperature in the woods pretty tolerable. Thunder started rolling at 12:10 and continued for the rest of our hike over Levelland Mountain and down into Neels Gap, but we didn't experience any rain until getting back to our cars. It was a very pleasant day on the trail.
If You Want Blood (You Got It) - AC/DC
AT miles hiked - 38.2
AT miles to go - 2,154.8
On Friday, July 10, 2020, I set out with the intention of conquering Blood Mountain and my next section of the Appalachian Trail. Blood Mountain is the highest point on the AT in Georgia at 4,459 feet. I started off at Woody Gap where I last left the trail back in March and was hoping to complete the hike over Blood Mountain from Woody Gap to Neels Gap as a day hike. Mileage-wise the hike was only about 9 miles. Nevertheless, the heat and humidity that day was very unpleasant and Blood Mountain conquered me! A little after noon I had just passed Jarrard Gap but I still had the almost 2 mile climb up Blood Mountain ahead of me and with the heat and humidity I just was not feeling it. So, I called my trail angels (Marci and Erin) and had them pick me up at Lake Winfield Scott which was just a short hike down from Jarrard Gap. I was frustrated at not completing the planned section, but grateful to have wonderful trail angels. They were planning on picking me up at Neels Gap anyway and just had to re-route a bit to meet me at the new pickup location.
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| The view from Big Cedar ledges near Woody Gap. |
On Saturday, July 18, Erin accompanied me and this time we attacked Blood Mountain going southbound from Neels Gap. The ascent is actually longer going southbound, but I much prefer tackling long climbs first thing in the morning when I'm feeling strong. Marci drove us to Neels Gap and hung around in North Georgia to pick us up later when we finished back at Lake Winfield Scott. Erin set a good steady pace and we made it to the top of Blood Mountain in about an hour and 45 minutes. Since it was a Saturday, the trail was quite busy with lots of hikers. After a short rest at the summit, we continued on our way southbound until we reached Jarrard Gap and took the side trail back down to the lake. It felt great to finally have Blood Mountain completed!
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| With Erin near the summit of Blood Mountain. |
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| Erin at the Blood Mountain shelter. Built in 1937 it is one of the oldest shelters on the AT. |
The following Tuesday, July 21, Erin and I hiked the next section of trail again going southbound from Hogpen Gap to Neels Gap. This time we were accompanied by my nephew, Brandon Rollins. The day was mostly cloudy which kept the temperature in the woods pretty tolerable. Thunder started rolling at 12:10 and continued for the rest of our hike over Levelland Mountain and down into Neels Gap, but we didn't experience any rain until getting back to our cars. It was a very pleasant day on the trail.
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| Brandon and Erin on Cowrock Mountain. |
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| With Erin at Neels Gap. |
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| The boot tree at Neels Gap. |
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| Historic Mountain Crossings and Walasi-Yi center at Neels Gap. |
If You Want Blood (You Got It) - AC/DC
Thought about you and your hikes earlier today. If you ever feel like tackling some sections of the Ozark Trail here in Missouri together, let me know. Glad you got these two sections out of the way. Fun to track it on the map from your descriptions and wish I was there!
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