People the world over come to Appalachia to experience our natural beauty, visit relatives and search for adventure in these mountains. Let’s face it, Appalachia is world famous! Well, sort of. It’s well known for many reasons, but
People the world over come to Appalachia to experience our natural beauty, visit relatives and search for adventure in these mountains. Let’s face it, Appalachia is world famous! Well, sort of. It’s well known for many reasons, but one thing that keeps bringing people from around the world to our little piece of heaven is the Appalachian Trail.
Completing the entire trail is a feat that even the most experienced of hikers can’t boast about. But some have, and have taken the time to write books about their experiences, or keep blogs about each site they stop at along the way.
One place that stands out along the Appalachian Trail is Blood Mountain. Blood Mountain is the sixth tallest peak in Georgia with an elevation of 4,458 feet. It’s not a hike for those out on a stroll along the AT. It’s a bit over two miles and steep, not for the casual hiker looking for something easy.
So how did Blood Mountain get its name? Well, there are a couple of theories about that. One popular belief is that it got its name from the red color of the lichen and Catawba growing on the mountain near the summit. However, there is a more interesting theory about the name. You see, this region was dominated by two tribes of Indians…the Creeks and Cherokees.
Cherokee mythology says that the mountain was one the homes of Immortals (the Nunnehi). They were also referred to as the “People Who Live Anywhere” and they were a race of Spirit People that lived in the highlands of the old Cherokee Country. According to legend, one of the townhouses was near Lake Trahlyta. They were friendly beings and would bring lost wanderers and hunters back to their townhouses to rest before guiding them back to their homes. Before white settlers came to the region the two t