Sept 18 Blood Mountain; AT in Georgia

Balanced Rock is a landmark on the way up Blood Mountain on the AT. Our group of 4 took some pictures here before heading up to the top. We passed through forest and onto open face rock a number of times before reaching the top. The top of Blood Mountain is the highest point on the AT in Georgia. Brasstown Bald, the highest point overall in the state, is clearly here. 

The stone shelter was built by the CCC. The stone was harvested from the surrounding area but all other material, including sand and mortar, were hauled up. The structure was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2013. It is a 2 room design. The fireplace has been filled in. However, just after receiving a $50,000 new roof a few years ago, someone lit a fire inside the structure and blackened some support beams, nearly burning the building down. The roof renovation was so costly due to being on the Register, material had to be the same as original and had to be hand cut and attached in the original way. It is a grand structure to find on the trail but does not appear to be practical as a place to sleep. There is a hostel at nearby Neel Gap which does a brisk overnight business. It is also the only building the AT actually passes through. It is only a covered breezeway, but still part of a building.

Chestnut burrs appear on an American Chestnut atop Blood Mountain. The world champion American Chestnut is on nearby Brasstown Bald. It is named "Harold".

On Jan 1 2008, 24 year old hiker Meredith Emerson, was abducted on Byron Reese Trail, an approach trail to the AT. She was last seen with her dog, Ella and an older man, later identified as Gary Hilton. Hilton kept her for 4 days and then on Jan 4, killed and dismembered her, dumping the body in the north Georgia mountains on national forest land. Witnesses on Blood Mountain had identified his van in the parking area back on Jan 1. When, Ella was found running loose 60 miles from Blood Mountain in Cumming Georgia on Jan 4, a local appeal for information on the vehicle was made. The van was spotted at a gas station, being cleaned by Hilton. He was stopped before he could bleach blood stains away. Hilton confessed to the disappearance and murder. He led police to the body in return for taking the death penalty off the table. He pleaded guilty on Jan 31 and was sentenced to life. He was later convicted of killing Cheryl Dunlap in northern Florida and is a suspect in the deaths of John and Irene Bryant in nearby North Carolina. 

Purple asters were in bloom today. 

On our descent, along the Byron Reese Trail, I misstepped and fell hard on some protruding rocks. The result was many abrasions, some open wounds on my hand attempting to lessen the fall, and many bruises from my jaw on down. The worst being a grapefruit sized bruise on my left breast, next to my sternum. I did not get an x-ray, nor did I seek medical attention other than what was self administered but subsequent pain is consistent with cracked ribs. Blood Mountain lived up to its name today.