Blue Mountain Shelter

I thoroughly enjoyed the snowy hike from Unicoi Gap to Blue Mountain Shelter, marking my first time exploring this destination. The journey was both challenging and rewarding, made even more memorable by the blanket of snow covering the trail. The snow added an extra layer of difficulty, significantly extending the time it took to reach our destination. The first hour of the hike was a relentless uphill climb, testing our endurance right from the start. Along the way, we encountered a fellow hiker named Hannah, who shared that she was embarking on an incredible journey along the Appalachian Trail, all the way to Maine. Meeting her was inspiring and added a unique connection to the adventure. The mountain was beautifully shrouded in snow and mist, creating a serene and magical atmosphere. However, the trail was wet and slippery in some areas, requiring extra caution. Despite the challenges, the 5-mile round trip was a memorable experience, filled with the beauty of nature and the thrill of winter hiking.

Great views from this Appalachian Trail Shelter. It’s a small shelter and raised - so it can get quite chilly on cold windy evenings. You may wish to lay something underneath your setup for a little insulation. There is a small water source about .1 before you get to the shelter (NOBO). There is a privy, bear cables, and a fire pit. There is also a covered table.

3/30/23 was a COLD night up here . I am remembering it all fondly as I hear about all the destruction left by Helene.. Hope to return someday to pay it forward to the trail maintainers for all their hard work, the hikers APPRECIATE you!!

Did the 14.5 mile hike from Hogpen to Unicoi Gap. A beautiful section of the AT that doesn't see as much foot traffic as some of the more popular sections. No grand vistas but you will have a peaceful, quiet walk in the woods.

Nice clean shelter with a decent water source especially during a drought. There was a nice covered area for rainy days and plenty of spots outside the shelter for tents and hammocks. The privy was as nice as can be expected in the wilderness. Bear bag cables appeared to have been recently repaired.