Jarrard Gap & Slaughter Creek Loop Lake Winfield Scott Recreation Area, GA
miles
LENGTH 5.7 MILES
DIFFICULTY 7.6 Easy
Medium
DURATION 2-3 hours
ELEVATION GAIN
1150
feet
TRAIL TYPE
Loop
Jarrard Gap & Slaughter Creek Loop

Journey along 3 trails on this easy to moderate loop, hiking along the Appalachian Trail to the foot of Blood Mountain. If you don't want to make the more difficult trek up to the summit, then this loop provides a peaceful walk through the Blood Mountain Wilderness with the sounds of nearby creeks making the trip all the more pleasant.

Starting at the Lake Winfield Scott Recreation Area, enjoy views of the namesake mountain lake before starting your hike. At the trailhead, follow the signs for the Slaughter Creek and Jarrard Gap Trails until you come to a gravel road at .25 miles where the two trails split. Now you've got to make a big decision. Which path to take. Actually, either is fine. Slaughter Creek is a bit easier on the uphill, but neither is terribly difficult. I took the Jarrard Gap Trail from here.

Turn right on the gravel road, following the signs. The road turns left then splits at just under .5 miles. Look for the trail sign just to the right of the road split. After .2 miles, stay right to continue uphill. After a couple short steep sections, you'll come to a wider unmarked path at 1.15 miles. Turn right and just a few steps uphill is Jarrard Gap and the Appalachian Trail.

Turn left on the AT from Jarrard Gap. Along the ridge, you'll get occasional winter views. Continuing uphill you'll arrive at Bird Gap at 2.6 miles and the Freeman Trail on the right. Continue straight. At 3 miles you'll hit the Slaughter Creek Trail split.

The Slaughter Creek Trail heads downhill at a gentle pace. Much of the trail stays close to Slaughter Creek and although you can catch glimpses in winter, you'll be hearing it more than seeing it. At 3.5 miles, a trail heads off to the right, stay left. Pass a couple side trails to a campsite on the right a bit further. Continue downhill, back to the gravel road crossing split with the Jarrard Gap Trail and shortly afterward finishing the hike back at Lake Winfield Scott.

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Elevation Map Length (miles) by Elevation (feet)
Slope Breakdown
Elevation Gain
Elevation Range
Grade Range
Length
Elevation Gain
0 - 250 ft/mi
~ 0 - 5 %
1.3 mi
123 ft
250 - 500 ft/mi
~ 5 - 10 %
0.5 mi
193 ft
500 - 750 ft/mi
~ 10 - 15 %
0.5 mi
334 ft
750 - 1000 ft/mi
~ 15 - 20 %
0.4 mi
331 ft
1000+ ft/mi
~ 20+ %
0.2 mi
201 ft
Elevation Loss
Elevation Range
Grade Range
Length
Elevation Loss
0 - 250 ft/mi
~ 0 - 5 %
0.9 mi
115 ft
250 - 500 ft/mi
~ 5 - 10 %
0.9 mi
329 ft
500 - 750 ft/mi
~ 10 - 15 %
0.8 mi
501 ft
750 - 1000 ft/mi
~ 15 - 20 %
0.2 mi
184 ft
1000+ ft/mi
~ 20+ %
293 ft
66 ft
Terrain Map Click to control map
Details
length5.7 miles
difficulty7.6 Easy-Medium
duration2 - 3 hours
trail typeLoop
blazeBlue (Jarrard Gap / Slaughter Creek), White (AT)
elevation gain1150 ft.
state Georgia 
park/forestLake Winfield Scott Recreation Area
Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest
ranger districtBlue Ridge Ranger District
2042 Highway 515 West
Blairsville, GA 30512
706-745-6928
parking fee$5/vehicle
trailhead coordinates 34.737485, -83.972837 (Degree Decimal, DegDec)
N 34°44.25, W 83°58.37 (Degree Minutes, MinDec)
N 34°44'15'', N 34°44'15'' (Degree Minutes Seconds, DMS)
Trailhead Directions
34.737485, -83.972837 (Degree Decimal, DegDec)
N 34°44.25, W 83°58.37 most GPS units use this one
N 34°44'15'', N 34°44'15'' (Degree Minutes Seconds, DMS)
Google Map It
Just before the lake there's a gravel parking lot on the left. Along the rest of the road there are several other parking areas and marked parking spots. The trailhead is just after the first lot on the right across from the lake.
Parking Capacity
10-12 vehicles at the first gravel lot. 10-12 vehicles along the gravel parking along the road. 30+ other designated spots along the road.
Notes
Minor creek crossings, a few rocky sections, and a few muddy sections. Normal Georgia trail conditions.
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Reviews / Comments
Average Review Rating
4 (1)
hikethesouth-5 years ago
Just A Solid Loop Hike
This is just a good solid loop hike. Not too challenging but it does have a few short steeper sections. About a third of this hike is along the AT, skirting around the base of Blood Mountain. Several creeks provide a soothing backdrop for this hike.
Easy-Medium | Hiked Winter 2019
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