September 20, 2005
| Today, we hiked from the Byron Herbert Reese parking lot near Neels Gap, GA to the Freeman Trail and on around to Bird Gap where we joined the Appalachian Trail and then on up to the the summit of Blood Mountain and back down to the park. Total hike today – 8 miles.
HIKERS – Don Alducin, Sharada Alducin, Melissa Anderson, John Bellamy, Phil Brownrigg, Ray Cowan, Jack Jacobi, Dick Metzgar, Doug Russell, Bob Presley, Donna Presley, Tony Presley, Dan Ross, Bob Thompson, David Whitaker, and Geri Whitaker. TRAIL INFO. – The trail is in good shape but is naturally very rocky. Magnificent mountain views from the highest mountain peak (4,461ft) on the GA portion of the A.T.! Directions: Take US 19 and 129, north from Cleveland, GA and drive approximately 18 miles to the Byron Herbert Reese Park just a half mile past Neels Gap and the Walasi-Yi Center. Trail is mostly moderately difficult due to large elevation change and very rocky footing. It is the most popular segment of the Appalachian Trail in Georgia. Another great day for a hike! Mostly fair with temperatures ranging from the low 60’s to the upper 70’s. FLOWERS IN BLOOM: Tall Bellflower, Tall Lobelia, Phlox, Flowering Spurge, Rosinweed, Mountain Gentian, White Snakeroot, White Woods Aster, Several Aster Varieties, Several Goldenrod varieties, Heal All, Pink Turtleheads, Micheaux’s Saxifrage, Featherbells, Southern Harebells, Campion, Indian Plaintain, Hog Peanut, Dodder, Alum Root, Gloden-Glo Coreopsis, Yellow Coneflower, Horse Balm Mountain Mint, Spotted Jewlweed, Joe Pye Weed, Whorled Coreopsis.
BIRDS IDENTIFIED: Crow, Blue Jay, White Breasted Nuthatch, PeeWee, Pilieated Woodpecker, Cat Bird, Cedar Waxwing, Carolina Wren, TowHee, Titmouse, Kentucky Warbler. |
 Wilderness sign at the start of the hike. |
 A typical trail shot with lots of wildflowers! . |
 We join the Freeman Trail at the end of the Reese connector trail. |
 A nice view on a rock slope near the summit of Blood Mountain. |
 The historic Blood Mountain Shelter at the summit.. |
 Climbing onto the rock beside the shelter, we have great views! |
 Another view from the top.. |
 Phil gets his lunchtime nap. Who says you need a soft bed? |
 Some of the wildflowers on the trail today: (top left – clockwise)Lobelia, Southern Harebells, , Gentian, Wood Asters. |
 The OFHC gang for today’s hike. (l-r kneeling) Tony Presley, Donna Presley, Melissa Anderson, Sharada Alducin. (standing l-r) Jack Jacobi, John Bellamy, David Whitaker, Geri Whitaker, Don Alducin, Dan Ross, Phil Brownrigg, Bob Thompson, Doug Russell, Dick Metzgar, Ray Cowan and Bob Presley. |