Name: Jarrard Gap and Slaughter Creek Loop
Rating: 4

Hikes Map Explore

Jarrard Gap & Slaughter Creek Loop Lake Winfield Scott Recreation Area, GA

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.

Jarrard Gap and Slaughter Creek Loop.
The parking lot on the left just before the lake. The trailhead is a few feet further down the road on the right.

Jarrard Gap and Slaughter Creek Loop.
Lake Winfield Scott.

Jarrard Gap and Slaughter Creek Loop.
Trailhead for both the Jarrard Gap and Slaughter Creek trails. It's on the right side of the road just after the first parking lot.

Jarrard Gap and Slaughter Creek Loop.
When the trail crosses the gravel road, follow the signs down the road for the Jarrard Gap Trail.

Jarrard Gap and Slaughter Creek Loop.
Leave the gravel road at the trail sign.

Jarrard Gap and Slaughter Creek Loop.
Moss covered rocks.

Jarrard Gap and Slaughter Creek Loop.
Heading up the Jarrard Gap Trail.

Jarrard Gap and Slaughter Creek Loop.
Arriving at Jarrard Gap from the Jarrard Gap Trail. Turn left on the white-blazed AT.

Jarrard Gap and Slaughter Creek Loop.
Hiking along the Appalachian Trail northbound with Slaughter Mountain in the distance.

Jarrard Gap and Slaughter Creek Loop.
Leave the AT at the base of Blood Mountain, heading back down the blue-blazed Slaughter Creek Trail.

Jarrard Gap and Slaughter Creek Loop.
Rhododendron tunnels on the way down the Slaughter Creek Trail.

Jarrard Gap and Slaughter Creek Loop.
Several easy creek crossings throughout.

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

features Dog Friendly Lake River/Stream

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

N 34°44.25, W 83°58.37

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.

Nearby Hikes

Blood Mountain Double Loop

10 mi

16.4

Blood Mountain via Lake Winfield Scott

7.7 mi

12.7

Blood Mountain via Wolfpen Gap

Blood Mountain via Byron Herbert Reece Trailhead

4.1 mi

12.1

Similar Hikes

Raven Rock Double Loop

Pine Log Creek Trail System

Chicopee Woods Bridge & Lake Loop

4.9 mi

4.8

Reviews / Comments

Average Review Rating

4 (1)

New Review New Comment

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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Disclaimer: Hiking can be dangerous. The information on this site is meant as a guide and represents trail conditions at a given time. Always let someone know where you are going. A basic knowledge of first aid, backcountry navigation, and some common sense are highly encouraged. The difficulty and duration ratings are subjective and will not be representative of everyone's experience.

Disclaimer Disclaimer: Falling off a cliff, drowning in a river, or being eaten by a bear is still a better way to go than dying of a heart attack while sitting in traffic on the way to the office.