Blood Mountain Shelter (GA)

[max patch]

During the 16 or so years I lived in the Atlanta area, the annual December Blood Mountain hike was one of our scout troops favorites.

I ran into another scout troop about 10 years ago in Jan/Feb. They went there every year the same weekend hoping for some cold weather hiking.

The last time I slept in the shelter was 1990ish. My wife and I had Thanksgiving Dinner up there. Had the place to ourselves. Still nice back then.

[BlackCloud]

If repaired it could be as glorious a spot as Chestnut Knob shelter.

Maintaining it, upkeep, and future acts of vandalism are other issues, but it could be ressurected from its currently sad state.......

[Skidsteer]

If repaired it could be as glorious a spot as Chestnut Knob shelter.

Maintaining it, upkeep, and future acts of vandalism are other issues, but it could be ressurected from its currently sad state.......

It's located on the most popular hike in GA and is close to a major highway.

Whatcha gonna do, post a security guard after it's fixed up?

[whitefoot_hp]

nah, no security needed. we'll just count on the good will of humanity. i mean, humans are inherently respectful people.

[Skidsteer]

nah, no security needed. we'll just count on the good will of humanity. i mean, humans are inherently respectful people.

Sure. Self-evident.

[Dances with Mice]

I have read in several places that the Blood Mtn shelter is listed on the National Register of Historical Places. If so this would protect the building and could influence the restorations and repairs that can be made.

I cannot confirm that it is listed, although the Blood Mtn Archeological Area is, as is the Walasi-Yi (Neels Gap) building.

[Dakota Dan]

At Blood Mtn during sunset look for Atlanta Skyline and reflections off the glass skyscrapers. Awesome on a clear day.

Stone Mtn laser light shows (when they do'em) can be seen on clear nights.

[River Runner]

they should leave the building but render it undesirable for sleeping in. <SNIP> it is a hell of a dump as wolf says. skunks mice, etc, the wind flows right through it like chinese food,

Couldn't that be said of most of the AT shelters? Seems I've seen mice & a lot of wind at several.

[Nearly Normal]

I've been there a couple of times.
It is a shame what some people have done.
I would like to see it fixed up. A privey installed close by and well marked.
Windows and door installed with very heavy timber or metal.
With no fire place maybe they wouldn't be torn down.
A developed cooking area would help too.
It's a good hike up from the road, most willing to make it are not the sort to tear it up just for the hell of it.
A broom always helps.
Some sort of developed plan would be better than tearing it down.

[Dances with Mice]

A privey installed close by and well marked.

...Done.

[Nearly Normal]

I've been there a couple of times.
It is a shame what some people have done.
I would like to see it fixed up. A privey installed close by and well marked.
Windows and door installed with very heavy timber or metal.
With no fire place maybe they wouldn't be torn down.
A developed cooking area would help too.
It's a good hike up from the road, most willing to make it are not the sort to tear it up just for the hell of it.
A broom always helps.
Some sort of developed plan would be better than tearing it down.

[Frolicking Dinosaurs]

A privy would help and an outdoor 'shelf' for cooking similar to those found at more traditional shelters.

Not sure anything can be done about the place getting trashed. All shelters this close to roads have this problem. While it is a climb up from Highway 19, it is only a couple of miles.

[Skidsteer]

A privy would help and an outdoor 'shelf' for cooking similar to those found at more traditional shelters.

Not sure anything can be done about the place getting trashed. All shelters this close to roads have this problem. While it is a climb up from Highway 19, it is only a couple of miles.

A privy has been installed.

[Frolicking Dinosaurs]

A privy has been installed.

::: Dino seen applauding the GA maintainers for this addition :::

[whitefoot_hp]

Couldn't that be said of most of the AT shelters? Seems I've seen mice & a lot of wind at several.

no, most are not completely exposed on top of mountains with wide open windows on two sides, and most at least have a solid floor.



the privy up there is veerrry nice!

[whitefoot_hp]

I have read in several places that the Blood Mtn shelter is listed on the National Register of Historical Places. If so this would protect the building and could influence the restorations and repairs that can be made.

I cannot confirm that it is listed, although the Blood Mtn Archeological Area is, as is the Walasi-Yi (Neels Gap) building.

i believe ive heard something along those lines as well.

[nitewalker]

i belive back in 03 my hiking partner lost his ems rain jacket in the shelter. that is the last place he remembers seeing it.. if any1 found it he says to enjoy it......what a dive this shelter is....some nice views from up on the rocks but alot of the time it sems to have a fog lurking over the area....

[weary]

Litter breeds litter. Vandalism breeds vandalism. Once something is trashed people feel no restraints against adding to the trash. In the 70s I cleaned up dozens of campsites. I was amazed when going back later how well they had been maintained.

For the most part these weren't sites with regular maintainers. They were just places along rivers and trails that had been traditionally used by campers. Once I buried the cans and carried out the plastic others instinctively took up the chore.

A couple of responsible maintainers assigned to Blood Mountain Shelter could do wonders. Because it is near the road kids will periodically trash it. But if trash is removed quickly the incidents will become fewer and fewer, at least that's been my experience.

Weary

[Rain Man]

The Georgia AT Club is asking for old photos of Blood Mountain Shelter.

Here is their request (May 29, 2008)- "Does anyone have a picture of the Blood Mountain Shelter showing the old window shutters and door?"

If so, please send directly to the GATC Trails Supervisor at --
trails_supervisor@georgia-atclub.org

Thanks in advance,
RainMan

.

[bloodmountainman]

Been to the top of old Bloody more times than I can remember! I have been camping on that mountain for 25 years ( not full time!) and I have never spent a night in the shelter. My kids refer to it as the "witches castle".
Good place to dodge a storm, but not good for overnight sleeping.