February 21, 2023
Wolfpen Gap to Lake Winfield Scott
near Blairsville, GA
We lucked up again with dry, mild weather with skies gradually clearing throughout the hike. This hike was in the Blood Mountain Wilderness that combined multiple trails into one hike: the Coosa Backcountry, Duncan Ridge, Appalachian and Slaughter Creek Trails. While a bit wet from overnight rain, the trail was in good condition with no trail obstructions. The trail is well used and thus, being a bit rocky and rooty. Being mid-winter, there were no wildflowers yet and there were no great views of the mountains from the trail. Nevertheless, this was a pleasant hike on a pleasant day with great hiking friends.
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The route
6.1 mi · 1,253 ft climbing · 4h 16m out, 3h 47m walking · 1.6 mph moving
Elevation
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- Steepness
- Gentle under 5%
- Moderate 5–10%
- Steep 10–15%
- Very steep over 15%
18 photos are shown on the map where they were taken — click one to see it full size.
Photos (18)
Slaughter Creek just before reaching Lake Winfield Scott. Today's Hikers (L-R)- Back: Trushna, Matt, Gerald, Dave, Rich, Renee & Squirt; Middle: Ray, Jenny, Angela, Gary & Jane; Front: John, Christine, Jack, Doris, Vic & Mike. Blood Mountain Wilderness is our "playground" today. It's a fairly steep climb for the first mile of the hike. No wildflowers, but we did see lots of this Rock Tripe on the many rocks and boulders along our way.n A fair amount of Rock Polypody was seen too. This example was on a large boulder balanced on another boulder. Headed up the Duncan Ridge Trail toward the AT. Lots of beautiful moss, but this unique example caught Ray Lovett's attention. We're passing a few through hikers on our way down the AT. This fellow was from Oklahoma. With the wet winter, there were quite a few flowing drainage swales to cross. While not terribly obvious in this photo, this is a fairly large flow of water out of the hillside. Breaktime at the intersection of the AT & Slaughter Creek Trail. Trushna was passing out tangerines to lighten her pack. Our last leg on the Slaughter Creek Trail included a section through a "Rhododendron tunnel." Almost forgot, but we did see Blood Mountain through the trees on our climb out of Hoppen Gap. Looks like the woodpeckers have found a tree to their liking. We passed through a number of large Hemlocks on our way down Slaughter Creek Trail that did not seem to be infected with Woolly Adelgids. Jane Brown spotted this striking setting. Not sure what the red leaved plant is??? A last look at Slaughter Creek as we finished our hike. Photo by Doris Richardson