Date: 2014-04-16
From: Dahlonega Super 8

To: Mountain Crossings at Neels Gap
Miles today: 10.9
Weather: clear sky

Guess we didn't have any right to expect a nice brekkie at the Super 8 for a hikers start to the day, and we weren't disappointed, it was VERY basic. We'd organized a shuttle for the morning,  they told us 7:45am, which turned off some other folks in the motel, but we were up, had our lousy brekkie, and were ready to go.The shuttle rolled up the street to the Holiday Inn, we didn't realize it was so close, bummer again, much nice brekkie than the Super 8. Hikers seemed to be crawling outa the woodwork, the Days Inn is also close by and they were rolling outa there to.Last nights howling gale at Woody Gap has blown itself out, it's clear, cold and calm, almost a frosty blue sky like you get in the winter, think it was below freezing overnight. A quick cupla shots and we're ready to begin day 3.We're the last to start, it's up for a bit so quickly pass the 2 from FL who pull to the side to let us by, and then see another group of 3 in front who stop to take photos and admire the views.Hopalong and Fern Lover on Blood MountainIt's a down down to Lance Creek Campground, then up and down some knobs and gaps, until the trail starts to ascend Blood Mountain, passing by Slaughter Creek on the way. Blood mountain is one of those "many false peaks" trails, you see a peak in front and think it's the top, and there's just another one after it. We pass a guy resting by the side of the trail with a cute puppie, and then another woman resting too, but still no summit, everyone is having the same problem.It's worth the climb though, the top is clear and has fabulous views, 360 degrees if you move around a bit, there are rocks all over and hikers lounging around eating lunch.Blood Mountain ShelterWe see the 2 women we'd seen before in Dahlonega, they came up from Neels Gap and are hiking in the opposite direction, nice to see them again, also some hikers from the campground. There's a shelter on top, it's completely closed in (4 walls), very unusual for a shelter, and it's all stone, and has an internal fireplace. Must get really cold in the winter, it's even chilly now and we don't spend much time inside outa the sun, it's still too cold even in April.We eat, snap some pix, lie in the warm sun for a bit, post a quickie to Facebook since there's a cell signal, then  head off down the Neels Gap, first re-supply point.Enjoying the Sun and View on the Deck at Neels GapNeels Gap is the home of Mountain Crossing, a hostel, outfitter, and food store all in one. It's pretty, all stone and views, bit chilly with the wind blowing through the gap.It's still early and there's a fair bit of traffic so we decide to try and hitch down the mountain to a gas station for beer, no luck for a few minutes then some day hikers show up and get in their SUV, they're headed in the other direction but there's a gas station there too so we jump in, they're headed for Dahlonega so it's right on their way.They drop us off at a gas station just off the main road, we get our beer and some snacks and walk about a quarter of a mile back to the main road to catch a ride back up the mountain, this will be more difficult for sure.The "Shoes as Fruit" TreeMatilda waits right at the intersection to catch traffic turning left going up the mountain, it seems like a good idea since they're stopped at that point, but doesn't work. I go down the main road a bit to where traffic can stop, but that doesn't work either, so we decide to just start walking up the road with our thumbs hanging out, and sure enough after a few minutes a work pickup stops and drives us back up the mountain.He's off work and driving home, as he stops at Neels Gap some other hikers approach for a ride and he agrees so they jump in. We go inside and order pizza, they have frozen ones and an oven so you line up at the register to buy the pizza, then Baltimore Jack, a well known trail personage, pops it in the oven and brings it out when ready. We park our remaining 4 beers in the fridge in the hostel and sit around as one after another the pizzas comes out, we're getting really hungry when finally it arrives, courtesy of Baltimore Jack. Hot pizza and cold beer, sitting around on the stones and chatting with the other pizza lovers, life doesn't get any better.