Longest trails completed

Hello there! Crurned here with a new annual entry! This time I wanted to share a short (pun intended) list of the longest trails I have completed. Please note that the list is in no particular order, ane most of them are within Georgia or at Georgia's border. Without further ado, let's get into it, shall we?

(Photo credit: Atlanta Trails)

Blood Mountain trail from Byron Reece Trail, Georgia (4.0 miles per Alltrails)

I mentioned this trail in another entry. This trail is smack dab at the entrance to the Appalacchian Trail. Literally close to the Appalacchian Trail welcome center in the Appalacchian Trail. This time of year it may be empty, but if you visit during summer, there are lots of crowds, and it may get a bit sketchy to visit the welcome center if you need to use the restroom (they only have port-a-potties). Anyway, back to Blood Mountain, I visited the trail sometime in 2019, I am still surprised of my endurance, there were spots where I had to climb boulders, and there were water streams crossing the trail. I ended up completing the trail without too much hassle in a bit less than 4 hours, and only with a tuna salad wrap, a bag of chips, and lots of water.

(Photo credit: Alltrails)

Table Rock Trail, S Carolina (6.9 miles per Alltrails)

This trail is the steepest trail I have done ever! From the start of the trail within Table Rock State Park, the trail goes up, and up, and up nonstop for the whole extend of the 6.9 miles. You gain over 2000 feet in elevation! You get rewarded with a beautiful overlook of South Carolina. Then you walk back from the mountain and is all the way down from there. Thankfully this time I bought Cookout when I drove back to the hotel, and a very thorought shower. 

(Photo credit: Atlanta Trails)

Beech Bottom Trail, Tennessee (9.1 miles per Alltrails)

Where to begin? This is a beautiful trail I completed last year, during summer. This is one of those trails you are better off when the weather is mild, like mid spring, or mid fall. I was bombarded by mosquitoes, and bitting bugs, there were also lots of spiderwebs in the trail. In addition, lots of downed trees (this was before last year hurricane Helene came through and affected this region). Also, I almost got a good scare crossing a river, I had to climb very slippery boulders. I had to stop and calm down, I thought I tore a leg muscle, but thanks to my good physical health, I was able to go back with only a good scare. Beside all these challenges, the trail elevation was smooth, and the reward of the trail is the Jack River Falls. I had a good time sitting next to the falls and snacking on the food I brought with me before moving back. I recommend to bring a vehicle with good suspension and strong tires, the trail is at the end of a logging road, and the road itself is made of dirt, with lots of sharp rocks and deep potholes, it will take close to an hour after you leave a regular road to get here, so come in early. It took me two attempts to complete this trail, the first time I chickened out because I arrived after 1 pm, heat, and all the bugs were out in full force. The second time I waited for a holiday weekend, and I stayed at a nearby hotel the night before, and drove to the trail the next morning to get an early start. Overall, I arrived around 9 am, and I was able to leave around 3:00 or 3:30 pm, so it is possible to complete the trail in 5 or 6 hours.

(Photo credit: Alltrails)

Bartram Trail to Pinnacle Knob, Georgia (8.1 miles per Alltrails)

This is a trail with a lot of variety, there are a few beautiful waterfalls. The trail is lind of steep, but switchbacks helped a lot to keep the hiking manageable. The end of the trail goes up to Pinnacle Knob, and a beautiful scenic look of the Appalacchian region from the top, along with campsites. Coming back, I saw what I think it was a copperhead snake, luckily I was close to a group of hikers that scared the snake away from the trail, where the snake was taking a sunbath.  It took 5 hours to complete.

(Photo credit: Atlanta Trails)

Panther Creek Trail Upper Falls, Georgia (6.9 miles per Alltrails)

I loved this trail, like Beech Bottom Trailhead, the elevation wasn't that bad. However, some parts need better trail signs, I saw folks trying to climb at the side of the trail, I also had to negotiate how to cross a creek to continue the hike. Upper Falls is your reward after completing the first half of the trail before coming back. Be advised! The GPS made me drive over 30 minutes in a dirt road to discover that the trail is in private property! You are better off driving highway 23. There is a parking lot and a restroom next to the road, and of course the official entrance to the trail.

So this is the end of the blog. I may do a rare second entry this year. Stay tuned, and safe travels!