Days 6 and 7 – Blood Mountain to Neel Gap and Blood Mountain Cabins

Day six began a little earlier again as I was excited to get to civilization. I get most of my gear packed before starting breakfast and coffee. Half portion of oatmeal because I’m headed to real food, which turns out to be frozen pizza purchased at the cabin store, but I’m not complaining.

The first half of the descent of 2.5 miles was a challenge and the second half I carried my trekking poles  which I tend to do when I do not think I am going to fall. I wanted a cabin because I thought it was more likely I would get a cabin because of the poor weather.

I stopped at Neel Gap and found Megan and Michelle from Long Island and delivered their first aid kit left behind at Hawk Mountain. Chelsea said I would get trail karma for this.

.2 miles to Blood Mountain Cabins, where I get the hiker rate. The store is not open every day, but if you call and leave a message they will make arrangements to get you in.

Dropped my bag in the cabin: one room, one loft, and one foldaway. Back to Neel Gap for my mail drop. The rest of the night went as seen below.

Day seven: cold pizza for breakfast (my health teacher told me it was a good meal), coffee at the cabin, off to Neel Gap to ship 10 pounds home. I sent an iPad, iPhone lens adapter, waterproof socks, and a bunch of food home. Picked up a headlamp to replace the one I broke and back to the cabin to blog, get ready to leave, and get ready for an early dinner at The Tavern with all retired or retiring soon military.

Returned to the cabin to repair my down coat with KT tape, reinforce my bottle holder, and pack my bags for destination Hiawassee, Georgia.

Day 6- repair on the go

After this post I’ll be moving to multiday posts to give me a little free time.

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Comments 3

  • Traci Williams : Feb 26th

    It was a pleasure meeting you. You are a little ahead of the big bubble so you reached us just before we were in full hiker mode 🙂 We are now open 7 days/week 9-5 until mid-April. We have self-serve breakfast in the mornings and offer pulled pork, chili, Brusnwick Stew, salads and hotdogs for lunch/dinner.
    I’m really glad you made it down to Riverside Tavern at Turner’s Corner. It’s the closest place (7 miles) from us that offers such great food and a bar, which is why we try and provide shuttle service at such a reasonable rate on the days they are open. They have live music on most weekends too.
    We wish you the very best on the trail and hope to get a postcard from you once you make it to Katahdin!!

    Reply
    • James Aguilar : Feb 29th

      Traci, thank you for putting me up for a couple nights, keeping me warm, hot water, great cabin and especially for sending all the power cords I left forward to Hiawassee. It was a great stay and I highly recommend it. I had your pulled pork and the same at The Tavern with Brunswick stew, which was new to me and great. The Tavern had great service, a good beer selection and great food. Thank you for that recommendation and the shuttle information you gave me! Post card to follow. Thank you!!!

      Reply
    • James Aguilar : Feb 29th

      Got my package! Thank you !!!!

      Reply

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