NEW HIKE: Bear Hair Trail to Blood Mountain 10 miles

The Bear Hair Trail is a 4.4 mile popular loop in N. Georgia's Vogel State Park in Blairsville. Known for its scenic ascet of Blood Mountain's lower ridges, the trail winds through lush forests, crosses bubbling mountain streams, and leads to an overloop offering sweeping view of Lake Trahlyta. The trail leaves from the park's backcountry trailhead adding another mile both coming and going. The trail climbs through diverse, leafy forests of hemlock, mountain laurel, and rhododendron. The climb can be steep, rocky and rooted in places.

We will take the loop counter clockwise. After we complete 1/2 of the loop we will take the Duncan Ridge Trail to connect to the AT going to Blood Mountain which is the highest point on the Appalachian Trail in the state with an elevation of 4,458 feet. Its challenging but rewarding. This is my most favorite place and after I'm gone I'm hoping to be blown off the cliff and forever be in Blood Mountain.

We will have lunch on the rock. There is also a mostly enclosed shelter on the AT. There is also a primitive privy (on the way down but close) After a 1/2 hour break or so we will begin our descent the same way we came up. We take the AT to the Duncan Ridge to the second half of the Bear Hail trail and the route back to the parking area.

All total I think it is a 10 mile route. I have never done this in one day. I backpacked up to Blood Mountain one day with snow and ice on the group. We camped at the top with snow and icicles all over. The next day we descended completing the circle and back to the cars as it poured down on us fr about an hour.

I am planning for a 5 hour hike, 1 extra hour for lunch and break, another hour just in case...so 7 hours plus 1.5-2 drive up and back to vogel. So definitely a 10 hour day so we have to start early so everything is in daylight.

Anybody that has hiked with me previously will be able to do this hike. I am slower than most but I don't take as many breaks. We will wait at every intersection to wait for people.

Vogel State Park is located at 405 Vogel State Park Road, Blairsville, GA

The coordinates are 34.73194, -83.91694

You can take 400 north as well as I-85 to I-985. The drive is 1.5-2 hours from the metro Atlanta area.

We will hold 2 car pools..one from Mansell Road Park and Ride at exit 8 on 400 on the south east side of Mansell and 400. You will meet Barbara here. The other park and ride will be Exit 4 on I-985 (make a left at the exit, another left at the light and a left into the parking lot. You can see the parking lot from 985.) You will meet Cinde here. Park close to the entrance of the park and ride. Both will be no later than 6:30am.

When you sign up you must indicate, mansell, 985 or trailhead which means you are driving by yourself. There is a $5 State Park Parking fee. I have a pass.

If you have a question post a comment or text me with your name.
Barbara 678-438-5593