Blood Mountain & Freeman Loop Trails

A more challenging hike today with lots of large and small rocks and roots on a well used trail in generally good condition. The weather was good with generally overcast skies and temperatures in the 60's and lower 70's. We decided to hike this loop clockwise to minimize the steeper climb if hiked counterclockwise. Not a lot of other hikers on the Freeman Trail, but a fair number in the afternoon on our climb down Blood Mountain. The view from atop Blood Mountain was obscured by clouds, but we lucked-up and got some nice views of the valley to the south on our return path. We encountered a couple of Timber Rattlesnakes on our hike, one under a small ledge not too distant from my feet as I sat down on the large bolder on Blood Mountain. The second, a much larger Timber Rattlesnake was sunning itself on a large rock outcropping on our way down Blood Mountain. Heather later reported that some friends did some exploring along that trail and found seven Timber Rattlesnakes and 13 other snakes under rocks and ledges. There were more summer wildflowers than we expected along our hike. It felt good to finish this hike.