The Easy Footpath
Today’s Photo: The Easy Footpath
Several weeks ago, I hiked the Appalachian Trail from Forest Service Road 42 to Springer Mountain and then the Appalachian Approach Trail to Amicalola Falls State Park. What is billed at about 8.5 miles was actually right at 10 miles to the lodge at the park. Going from north to south was not nearly as bad as I can imagine going to opposite direction would have been.
Amicalola Falls Lodge
Today’s Photo: Amicalola Falls Lodge
The perfect spot to take a rest after hiking to the top of Amicalola Falls is the Lodge. We stopped here and had a cup of coffee in the lounge, cooled down and then set out once again… this time to the bottom. I managed to snap a few shots inside the Lodge before we left.
Blood Mountain, South View
Today’s Photo: Blood Mountain, South View
This was another shot from my Christmas Day hike to the summit of Blood Mountain. I took this one on the way down and along the southern flank of the mountain. There are several bare rocky spots on the side of the mountain which is where this was taken. Luckily, it was not too icy along the rock parts. No one in our group fell, but we heard there were some that did.
Balancing Rock Sunset
Today’s Photo: Balancing Rock Sunset
In all the travels I have made to Blood Mountain, I have always taken the Byron Reece trail to the Appalachian Trail and then to the top of Blood Mountain. I was surprised this last time when my brother asked if I have ever seen this balancing rock. I had not and he pointed me the opposite direction (North) on the Appalachian Trail from Blood Mountain when we reached the trail. Not more than a couple hundred yards down the trail is a massive boulder balanced on top of another. There is very little touching between the two. On our way back down from the summit of Blood Mountain, we stopped by the balancing rock just as the sun was setting behind the shoulder of Blood Mountain.
Mountain Stream
Today’s Photo: Mountain Stream
You never know when you will find a nice mountain stream to take photos of. This shot was along one of the trails to the top of Blood Mountain on the Appalachian Trail. On the way up, the light was horrible. However, on the way down, the light was not too bad. It had set behind the ridge line this flows down and caused some good soft light.
Cold Water
Today’s Photo: Cold Water
In honor of the negative digit wind chills today, I am posting this photo from my December trek to the top of Blood Mountain. This shot was along the creek that follows the Byron Reece trail. I found a spot where there were a few icicles and the water was just right. I’m glad I did not have to ford this creek, as it was really cold just taking photos beside it.
Northwest View, Blood Mountain
Today’s Photo: Northwest View, Blood Mountain
Christmas Day, I made the hike up Blood Mountain to the summit. We hiked from the parking lot near Neals Gap, up the Byron Reese Trail then along the Appalachian Trail. I started bundled like little Mikey from “The Christmas Story”, but by the time we make it to the Appalachian Trail, I was in jeans and a t-shirt. That did not last long when we reached the summit and then stopped by the trail shelter. This shot was taken on top of the rock beside the shelter and the wind was blisteringly cold coming up the mountain.
The Christmas Day Hike
Today’s Photo: The Christmas Day Hike
I’m a little late today. That’s okay after yesterday. My oldest brother has decided that we need to take our dad on a hike through the Great Smoky Mountains. I’ll not bore you yet with details, but as part of that, we have begun getting dad out and working on strengthening his legs. So, yesterday (Christmas Day) we decided to take a little jaunt up Blood Mountain. We took the trail up the North side of the mountain. Arguably the hardest ascent of the Appalachian Trail in Georgia. This shot is from the peak. All 4450 or so feet. Right around 2000 feet of ascent in a little over 2 miles.
Proud of you Dad!!! At 72 not too bad…
Photographers I follow:
Photography Equipment:
Photography Tips and Techniques:
Archives
Categories
Copyright Just Shooting Memories! 2011 – 2021
licensing information contact: daryl@justshootingmemories.com