Blood Mountain, Appalachian Trail

Georgia might be one of the shortest sections of the trail at just 77mi (123km)—less than 4% of the whole Appalachian Trail—but it packs a punch. Within that short stretch, there are 26 named mountains and knobs, including Springer Mountain, the AT's southern terminus; Blood Mountain, the trail's highest peak in Georgia; and Tray Mountain, which is easily the most picturesque.

I started my journey by climbing out of Three Forks Valley. I made my way up onto the ridge, weaving along the trail descending into gaps before ascending once again, repeating the process over and over. It was tough on the knees and legs with a full backpack, but I knew this was only the beginning of the many peaks to conquer.

Though the mountaintops haven't quite bloomed yet, the valleys are a different story—lush and green, dotted with vibrant wildflowers like columbine, violets, buttercups, and flame azaleas. Parts of the trail used to be heavily logged, but in their place now stand towering tulip trees reaching up to 160ft (50m). These giants are among the largest native trees in the eastern U.S., and when in bloom, their tulip-like flowers are a beautiful mix of pale green and yellow, with a band of orange at the edges of the petals.

Making my way down to Slaughter Creek, I kept descending around the west side of Blood Mountain to Slaughter Gap before the trail began its steep upward direction through a series of tight switchbacks to the summit of Blood Mountain. The rock formations at the top stand proudly, offering sweeping views of the Chattahoochee National Forest, making Blood Mountain one of the most visited parts of the AT in Georgia. 

Near the summit stands a two-room stone cabin built in 1932 by the Civilian Conservation Corps, a relief program for young men struggling to find work after the Great Depression. Today, the Georgia Appalachian Trail Club maintains the shelter and the trail. This non-profit works alongside the AT Conservancy and the U.S. Forest Service.

Blood Mountain holds a deep cultural significance, too. In Cherokee mythology, it was home to the Nunnehi, or Immortals—spirit people who lived in grand townhouses scattered across the highlands. Legend says they would welcome weary travellers into their homes before guiding them safely back on their journeys. Long before the arrival of settlers, the Creeks and Cherokees fought a fierce battle in Slaughter Gap, between Slaughter and Blood Mountains, which could be the origin of the mountain's name.

Finding a good spot on one of the rocky slabs, I took a break and dug through my pack for food. Hiking long distances burns a lot of calories, up to 5,500 a day. That is a lot of calories to replenish. I've got dehydrated meals for when I stop at shelters, but right now, a handful of trail mix will do the trick—nuts, dried fruit, granola, and, of course, some M&Ms for a little extra energy.