From: Ralph Heller
To: bmtamembers10


Please post/pass this information along as you see fit.


The Byron Herbert Reece Trailhead , in the Chattahoochee National Forest near Neel's Gap on the Georgia
section of the A.T. in the Blood Mountain Wilderness has been modified from unmanaged parking in an
open gravel area to a paved lot with 24 designated parking spots, plus one handicapped space and two
motorcycle spaces. In the past, during busy periods such as fall leaf season and holidays, as many
as 75+ vehicles would jam into the gravel lot and access road, creating congestion and traffic safety
concerns. For several years, the Forest Service has recognized that this highly popular access point
concentrated much use in a relatively small area along the A.T. By restricting parking to the designated
spots, it is expected that hikers will find less congestion along the Trail and Blood Mountain, and resource
impacts will hopefully be reduced. There are other trailhead access points to the area within a few miles,
including those at Vogel State Park, Lake Winfield Scott, Woody Gap, and Dockery Lake. Users should
consider utilizing these other areas during heavy use periods. The Forest Service does intend to enforce
the parking limitations at B.H. Reece, and we are asking the public to comply with this resource
management action.


David G. Kuykendall
Outdoor Recreation Planner
Blue Ridge Ranger District
2042 Hwy. 515 W.
Blairsville GA 30512
(706) 745-6928 EXT 113