Horror Hike... Just NOT in Time for Halloween... Oops

On a cold and foggy November day, I decided to leave the confines of my comfortable home... and Netflix, to venture out into a dense forest. The story I am about to tell you is not at all a recommendation. Why you say! Because I dumbly decided to go hiking by myself on this particular day, which I personally do not encourage... especially after this experience. WAIT! Before you go off thinking that maybe I came in contact with a serial killer or some wild animal, that is not at all what happened. Stay tuned as I explain my journey into the Blood Wilderness alone. *Yes that really is the name... creepy right?! Now where were we... oh yes a cold November morning. I thought that it would be a perfect day to go hiking. Maybe the weather would be better in North Georgia, but I soon realized that was wrong. The entire drive up to the mountains was erie, but I still pressed on. I arrived to the parking lot for the trail head and contemplated turning the car engine back on and heading back home. The whole parking lot was engulfed by a thick fog and a light drizzle. I decided that I had driven so far and it would be a waste if I didn't at least try. Little did I know of the experience that was to come.

Imagine beginning a trail like in the picture above. I was alone in the woods with a dreary fog as my company. I remember walking for about 20 minutes into the fog when it started to rain harder. I stopped under a tree and considered turning around again. I was actually starting to get nervous. The rain around me would drip onto a rock or leaf above and I would think that they were foot steps all around me. There were no sounds besides the rain, no birds, no people, just drip... drip... drip. The dense fog that surrounded me occluded my field of vision, making it hard to see 10 ft in front of me. It was truly.... probably the dumbest scenario that I have ever put myself into. I set a timer on my watch and decided if I did not reach the summit in 15 minutes then I would turn around and head back. Normally I am fine to hike this trail by myself because it is so short, only about a mile to the top, so I did not think it would be a big deal to go off alone. I probably would not ever do this again, but it was the scene at the top that made the trip so worth it. If you have even been on this trail (try and guess it!) then you would know how amazing the view is at the top. After a steep incline and dense forest, you come to the summit, which opens up to a gorgeous view of the Appalachian Mountains. It is truly the hike of hikes that got me into this hobby so it is very special to me. Seeing it in this erie state was an experience....

I rounded over the boulders at the summit and stumbled upon what looked like an IMAX theater. Through that fog is a view that goes on for miles and miles that showcases the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains, but today... I couldn't see a thing. CAN YOU GUESS THIS TRAIL?! Here's a hint... the photo below is the summit of this hike on a normal beautiful day:

Did you guess Preacher's Rock?! Well if so you would be correct! This trail is located off Hwy 60 in Dahlonega, Ga. The trail begins at Woody Gap and it is considered one of the easiest hikes along the AT trail, mainly because of its short length and moderate steepness. Once in the parking lot for the trail head, make sure and follow the white rectangular markers. The trail is only about 2 miles round trip and will take about an hour and a half, depending on how long you want to stay at the top. A friend and I once did a yoga session at the summit, which was a lot of fun!

Trail Specs: Length: 2 miles round trip Time: 1 1/2 Hours Difficulty: Moderate Dogs Allowed: Yes, many people bring their dogs! Parking: Free GPS Coordinates: 34.677882, -83.999551 // N34 40.672 W83 59.972 Life is to be experienced, Journey wisely. Kelly Fitzgerald