2011 WATERFALLS and HIKING TRAILS - PART 2

The following waterfalls and hikes are on this blog:

BLOOD MOUNTAIN TRAIL {SNOW} HIKE #2

WOODY GAP to BLOOD MOUNTAIN HIKE

SWEETWATER CREEK HIKE

YAHOOLA CREEK AREA HIKE

BLOOD MOUNTAIN TRAIL {SNOW} HIKE #2

12 February 2011

N 34° 735093 | W -83° 918072

A second hike to the top of Blood Mountain with my hiking buddy, Dale, offered a much less stressful day since there was not much ice and snow on the ground, and we met a furry guy along the way.

Honestly, I wish the ground always had snow on it - it reminds me of the lantern scene in the movie, "The Lion and the Witch and the Wardrobe."

My dear friend (whom I have known since high school), Dale on one of the summits at Blood Mountain.

We were freezing, but loving the fresh air on top of Blood Mountain!

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WOODY GAP to BLOOD MOUNTAIN HIKE

19 February 2011

N 34 40.665 | W 83 59.976

It was freezing on top of that mountain. Jeffrey left his jacket in the truck because the weather report stated it would be in the low '70's. They were wrong.

Jeffrey and I started our hike at 8:36 a.m. with a 550+ foot climb over 1.3 miles to Jacob's Knob, then from there we went to Lunsford Gap, then on to the summit of Big Cedar Mtn. at 3732'. Then we came to Augerhole Gap, then went through Dan Gap and on to Granny Top Mountain. Then we went down through Miller Gap, then around Baker Mountain, through Henry Gap, then around Burnett Field Mountain, then through Jarrard Gap, then over Gaddis Mountain, then through Horsebone Gap, then Turkey Stamp Mountain. Finally we went to the top of Blood Mountain.

Our first side trail was Preaching Rock where we enjoyed views to the southeast. Further down the AT, we passed the Dockery Lake Trail and soon reached the low elev. point of this section at near 2900'.

Over the next five miles, we passed through Jarrad Gap and a side trail that headed north to Lake Winfield Scott. The climb was long and roughly 1500' to the summit of Blood Mountain at 4458' at mile 8.3. (This was my third time climbing Blood Mountain). At the summit, we enjoyed views to the west and checked out the historic shelter built by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) in 1934. After the summit of Blood Mountain, we will then started heading down. We descended about 1000' in 1.5 miles to Flatrock Gap where the Freeman trail snakes off to the right.

Continuing down the AT for about another mile, will emergeed at the parking lot of the Byron Herbert Reese trailhead. From there, we returned to Woody Gap and then had an soup and salad at Caruso's Italian Restaurant. This was a FAB day!!

We've been to all these Gap's.

Folks are sure lucky there are steps here. In most areas of the wilderness, if someone wishes to traverse up the side of the mountain, then they just hike up, which is exactly what we do; steps or not.

 

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SWEETWATER CREEK HIKE

29 December 2011

N 33.753783 | W 084.639000

 

 

 

 

Jeffrey checking out some cotton inside the Sweetwater Creek Visitors Center

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YAHOOLA CREEK AREA HIKE

31 December 2011

This area is off the road and I have no coordinates. I asked around town how to get to this area and an ole' country man gave my husband directions. This area is where we wound up  after tons of scurrying and scrambling since there is no trail in sight.

 

 

 

 

SAD!

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