Date: 2014-03-16
From: Gooch Mt. Shelter

To: Neels Gap/Blood Mt. Cabins
Miles today: 15.9
Weather: light rain

Day 4: Sunday, 16 March 2014 Gooch Mt. Shelter (15.8) to Neels Gap (31.7)The rains came. We were pretty dry in the tarp but there were splats of mud on Michael's side facing the opening and at our heads, where the water's coming down the hill. Then a 7 stream got over the ground sheet, traveling almost between Michael and me. Wiped it up fast!We scarfed down some granola and I had an 'Emergen-C'. I'll need it today - cold and raining. Rain, Rain, Rain!!! The plan: Hike to Lance Creek, just south of the 8-mile required bear can area, camp, then Monday, hike through the bear can area and up and over Blood Mountain to Neels Gap. The first time cold, muddy water slooshes through your shoes, you just sloosh on! Michael commented that all the "water" church songs come to mind!We rolled into Woody Gap, trail head parking lot. First thing, a young lady jumped out of a truck, "Will you take our picture? We just got engaged!" Not much scenery with the fog and rain, but that didn't seem to matter.Over at the other side, there was a canopy set up, although I made a beeline for the bathroom. I found Michael under the canopy. It was Trail Magic from the Baptist church! Solo and a sister/brother team Jen and Brian were there. Jen & Brian were hiking in shorts, but standing around,they were pretty cold. Jen was warming up in a truck.Solo starting talking that he called for a ride from Miss Janet to go to Blood Mountain and maybe get a cabin, and Brian was talking about going to Neels Gap and maybe get a cabin. Hmm...   Michael and I are planning to hike about 3 more miles to camp in the rain, with wet gear, then hike up and over Blood Mountain, which is not a walk in the park. Then the wheels started turning: What if I go to Blood Mountain Cabins at Neels Gap with Solo, Jen and Brian, and Michael goes the 10-mile distance from the parking lot to Neels Gap?"Are you OK with skipping 10 miles, Mom?""I am WAY OK with it!"So, Michael pulled most of the food out so he wouldn't have to carry it, and off he went. We figured he'd probably get to Neels Gap by 7pm.Will you be OK, Mom?" "Yup, we'll get a cabin and be there for you. Solo said they still had a couple cabins, so we'll be OK." And off he went. As Michael took off up the trail, I saw another hiker, who was at the last shelter, head that way. Well, he won't be alone.We waited a bit longer for Miss Janet; the church group was starting to pack up. Miss Janet is a Trail Angel Extraordinaire. She has a van and shuttles hikers to and from towns and places to stay, all on donations! She had a warm van to hop into. Robin, and Greg (the Australian), who were going into Dahlonega, and another young woman also joined us (Solo, Jen, Brian, and me). As she drove down the mountain, she suggested that she'll take us to Blood Mountain Cabins first, to make sure we can get a cabin. Such wonderful people!We got a cabin that Solo, Jen, Brian, Michael, and I will share. Michael and I will take a zero day tomorrow, and maybe Solo as well. Robin (Rock Hopper) and Greg are planning to hike into Neels Gap tomorrow and stay at a cabin. Hey, we can collaborate here! A good rest (for me) and wait out the rainy weather!Michael and John (Lynx), the hiker that trailed him out of Woody Gap showed up at the cabin door at about 5pm! What a great evening, everyone making their own dinner and gear all spread out to dry! Oh, and I might add that Jen and Brian left a pile of food back at Gooch Mt. Shelter for the taking. We got some bags of dried fruit and nut/snack mix. Fun! Fun! Fun!-MarilynBuffalo says: The hike over Blood Mtn was AWESOME! No views, the the rocky trail was super fun (though Mom would have hated it) and it was nice to go fast and talk to Lynx. He kept pace with me, despite carrying a pack that's twice as heavy as mine! We got to the famous Mountain Crossings store just before closing and found a note directing "Guy Buffalo" to Bobcat Cabin down the road. Yah! A dry place to sleep!