Great hike. Did the 6.2 mile loop in about 4 hours. Parked at Byron Reece parking lot and hiked about half mile to AT trail head heading North to South. Not a bad up to the shelter at all. Hikes backed to Byron Reece via the Freeman Trail once we came down of the south side of Blood Mountain. The views are amazing at the shelter. You can climb on a nice rock bed behind the shelter and enjoy the views. Just beyond the shelter is a larger rock bed that is great for some rest and relaxation at the summit.