Blood Mountain via Byron Reece Trailhead

The Chattahoochee National Forest and Cohutta Wilderness make up the wild and scenic southern tip of the Blue Ridge Mountains. The Blood Mountain trail offers the day hiker a taste of the Appalachian Trail that does not disappoint.

The hike starts at the Byron Reece trailhead at Neels Gap where you follow the blue trail blazes. As is typical in the southeastern mountains, your journey begins with a wander across creeks and through tight rhododendron. Enjoy the mild warm up as very soon you begin your climb up the hill to where The Byron Reece meets the Appalachian Trail at Flat Rock Gap. Turn right at this junction, following the white blazes, and settle in for the long climb to the top.

Don't let a little hill intimidate you, the scenery is amazing as the trail winds up through big rock formations and dense woods. You'll sweat, but enjoy the sweet mountain air and quiet of the hills.

There are a few false summits on the way to the top, so don't drop your pack at the first overlook you come to. Once you transition from trail to more solid rock underfoot you will cross a number of stony balds that certainly give pause to view the valley below. Press on until the ground levels off and you once more transition back to trail. You will know you have reached the top when you run into the stone cabin built by The Civilian Conservation Corps in 1934.

Picnic Rock (beside the stone cabin) is aptly named, and it is here where you will want to kick back and take in the full expanse of the Blue Ridge laid out in all its splendor. Keep your eyes out for large birds of prey who circle about, riding thermal winds, until they spot lunch and dive out of sight. Sunrise and sunset make for fantastic photo opportunities, just make sure you bring along lighting if planning to be on the trail when the sun is down.

The return trip is just a matter of retracing your steps, so take your time. It's all down hill, so stop and check out a few of the overlooks and rocky crags missed on the way up. The Appalachians are some of the world's oldest mountains, and the sands of time have literally worn much of the stone smooth with age.

Quite frankly, this is a hike to put on the repeat list as each season provides the adventurer with new discoveries, wildlife, and landscape.