Suzette LaRoche has walked the same North Georgia trail where a drifter abducted Meredith Emerson on New Year's Day.

LaRoche, a Decatur neurologist, watched transfixed as television news reports followed the ordeal of the Buford hiker, who authorities say struggled with her attacker for three days after the abduction before finally being bludgeoned to death.

Courtesy of Emerson family (ENLARGE)

Meredith Emerson was hiking when Hilton abducted her. He was caught within days, but not before he brutally killed her.

Allen Sullivan/AJC (ENLARGE)

The North Georgia mountains form the setting for the 'take back the mountain' hike.

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LaRoche wasn't sure if she could ever feel safe enough to return to Blood Mountain.

"The idea of hiking that trail alone, or any trail alone, is a little nerve-wracking," she said. "But I don't want to be afraid of that space."

So in a sign of unity and remembrance of the 24-year-old Emerson, LaRoche proposed a "take back the trail" hike with a group of fellow female hikers. The Women's Outdoor Network of Atlanta expects at least 35 hikers to make the 7-mile trek today to reclaim the loop as a safe and sacred place.

The group welcomes more women to join in the hike, as well as the preceding 11 a.m. tree planting at the Freeman trailhead in Emerson's memory.

"We all have a sense of anxiety about being in a place where something so horrible happened," said Laura Zekoll, an Atlanta businesswoman who helped organize the hike. "I think this is almost a spiritual thing to join each other in this place and show our strength."

Emerson was an avid hiker who showed strength repeatedly in her struggle with Gary Michael Hilton, according to authorities. Hilton had trouble subduing the 5-foot-4 woman, who had a green belt in judo, and he dropped a police baton that became a clue in tracking him.

Emerson also gave Hilton the wrong PIN for her ATM account, which helped lead police to him as he repeatedly tried to access her account.

LaRoche never met Emerson but said knowing those details, she believes Emerson would support the group hike.

"She did everything right. She fought hard," LaRoche said. "It's time to remember Meredith and reclaim the space for women to feel safe there again."

Gary Laderman, who heads Emory University's department of religion, said the hike was a symbol of identifying with Emerson that also lets people show solidarity.

"This kind of ritual act is a way to transform the senselessness into something that is meaningful," he said.

Being in a group today will allow Zekoll and LaRoche to hike the trail alone in the future, the women said.

Hiking Blood Mountain was Zekoll's first trip with the Women's Outdoor Network. Despite the cruelty shown there last month, she said the trail still carries vivid, happy memories for her.

"There is certainly an added fear to walk where someone else has walked and know they didn't come back out," Zekoll said. "Part of honoring Meredith's spirit on that trail is to walk there again and not be afraid."