Booo! We've been cheated.
Georgia Traverse Overland Trail
- Thread starter izzyandsue
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- Thread starter
- #22
El Trucko is ready and loaded. Just need the cooler, clothes, toothbrush.
RedHeadedStepChild
Proudly wearing my MC1R mutation!
Have fun.
Take pictures.
Send me a post card.
Wish I was going with you. Let us know if you run into Bo and Luke....or better yet, Daisy (did I already say take picture?).
Take pictures.
Send me a post card.
Wish I was going with you. Let us know if you run into Bo and Luke....or better yet, Daisy (did I already say take picture?).
Doesn't your water heat up, storing it on the roof like that?
- Thread starter
- #25
Don't know Johnny, first time I do it and I can only reference images from internet!
I am going to call it my water purification system, keep it warm and UV cured. Just made that up.
I am going to call it my water purification system, keep it warm and UV cured. Just made that up.
- Thread starter
- #26
Well, I am back, and it was an awesome tripadventurexpedition. New word. I had a great time, LC was great, would do it all over again. I have 160 photos and a few videos, will post some here for your entertainment.
I have recorded most of the way to supplement the maps from GA Overland website. If you use my maps, look at both since some gates may be closed or open. I filled up gas at the station on the corner of SC11 and 178.
Day 1. Approximate 30 miles of mild forest roads, looking for camp sites, great vistas, and just wanted to get in deep enough to camp into Sarah's Creek. That was the goal and made it. Map is the red and blue below. Air down, I was running 42 lbs on highway, down to 28 for comfort mostly. I knew it would go down further with morning cold.
The route was mostly off road, but a few connecting pavement miles
Explored many side trails like this, "hey, whats on the other side?" Some I walked first to make sure it was just a gate, and I could turn around as well. Many led to campsites too. Most backcountry campsites would fit 1-2 trucks. A few could fit 5-6 but not many.
I have recorded most of the way to supplement the maps from GA Overland website. If you use my maps, look at both since some gates may be closed or open. I filled up gas at the station on the corner of SC11 and 178.
Day 1. Approximate 30 miles of mild forest roads, looking for camp sites, great vistas, and just wanted to get in deep enough to camp into Sarah's Creek. That was the goal and made it. Map is the red and blue below. Air down, I was running 42 lbs on highway, down to 28 for comfort mostly. I knew it would go down further with morning cold.
The route was mostly off road, but a few connecting pavement miles
Explored many side trails like this, "hey, whats on the other side?" Some I walked first to make sure it was just a gate, and I could turn around as well. Many led to campsites too. Most backcountry campsites would fit 1-2 trucks. A few could fit 5-6 but not many.
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- Thread starter
- #27
Day One continued... I did go down West Fork Camp Ground, it did look crowded.
Typical "Campsite" area in the wilderness. Some had fire rings too.
Typical "Campsite" area in the wilderness. Some had fire rings too.
- Thread starter
- #28
Sarah's Creek is a large but not touristy campground. $10 per site, and most of them are along a creek. The road starts up into War Woman Wilderness as a paved one laner, turns to gravel and dirt. Not difficult. Past the campgrounds, there is a fork to the right that crosses the creek and I had to do take it, followed the trail. That was a 4Low trail, and pretty cool. I turned back after a short distance as I had yet to pick up my campsite. Ended up in Camp Site 6, great double spot right on the water.
Location location location
Fire pits and camping tables, the tent beds where a coarse pebble but workable.
Eat your heart out JohnVee, I boiled some food!! I am a chef, a tin chef.
I left the food and the kitchen unit in the truck, there were a lot of bear warning signs and I didnt want to feed them. For those who know my tent, I used the Big Agnes Flying Diamond 8 Person Tent, it is huge and 4 season tent. I brought the Tajmatent too, with the canopy, but didnt use it.
Location location location
Fire pits and camping tables, the tent beds where a coarse pebble but workable.
Eat your heart out JohnVee, I boiled some food!! I am a chef, a tin chef.
I left the food and the kitchen unit in the truck, there were a lot of bear warning signs and I didnt want to feed them. For those who know my tent, I used the Big Agnes Flying Diamond 8 Person Tent, it is huge and 4 season tent. I brought the Tajmatent too, with the canopy, but didnt use it.
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- Thread starter
- #29
Day 2. It was a cold night, and I had that Mr. Heater running full bore from 3 am on, and it was blissfully warm in that tent. Shout out to Jim Callahan for the lead on those tents, it was fantastic, huge, and easy to get up and down. Thanks!
Day3, getting started. I had no signal, still got this:
Early morning coffee, equipment plug for making my coffee I used one of this, worked great, nothing to clean like the french press. Uses No.4 filters, just add coffee, pour the boiling water, and you get dripped perfect coffee. I used the can to pre-measure the water I wanted, realizing about 1/5 of the water will remain. After it was done, place on the ground to finish drying, then garbage. Simple.
The map, Day 2 was over 80 miles, the purple, the brown, the black, the red, and the black on the farthest left. I couldn't follow the exact Overland trail, but improvise. First, You want to gas up when you get to Dillard. It is a nice mountain town with lots of shops, restaurants, and antique rocking chairs being made daily. I was down to close to 1/2 tank at fill up.
Day3, getting started. I had no signal, still got this:
Early morning coffee, equipment plug for making my coffee I used one of this, worked great, nothing to clean like the french press. Uses No.4 filters, just add coffee, pour the boiling water, and you get dripped perfect coffee. I used the can to pre-measure the water I wanted, realizing about 1/5 of the water will remain. After it was done, place on the ground to finish drying, then garbage. Simple.
The map, Day 2 was over 80 miles, the purple, the brown, the black, the red, and the black on the farthest left. I couldn't follow the exact Overland trail, but improvise. First, You want to gas up when you get to Dillard. It is a nice mountain town with lots of shops, restaurants, and antique rocking chairs being made daily. I was down to close to 1/2 tank at fill up.
RedHeadedStepChild
Proudly wearing my MC1R mutation!
Oh man! I'm going to have to make this run with you sometime.
Glad the tent was a hit. I've been wondering how you liked it.
Glad the tent was a hit. I've been wondering how you liked it.
- Thread starter
- #31
As Day 2 continues, the roads takes you from dirt to gravel to dirt to pavement to dirt. It was mostly 4High most of the way. I only went on 4L when crossing waters or exploring narrow muddy side trails.
- Thread starter
- #32
This was a full day of driving pretty much non-stop for me. A few mins here and there to take pics or video.
Typical campsite, for 1-2 trucks. Amazing views from the site, overlooking the mountains
Most of the roads and trails are marked, and do match the Trails Illustrated map. This is map 778, if you have it, you can find this location
Lunch spot! Trail stopped by creek and large tree blocking the trail
Typical campsite, for 1-2 trucks. Amazing views from the site, overlooking the mountains
Most of the roads and trails are marked, and do match the Trails Illustrated map. This is map 778, if you have it, you can find this location
Lunch spot! Trail stopped by creek and large tree blocking the trail
- Thread starter
- #33
One of the prettiest drive in Day 2 was the trail along the Tallulah river. Lots of places to stop and chase unicorns (more on those later) or just cool off in summer.
Pretty cows
Along the Tallulah, many fishering men out there too, catching something.
More than one of smaller falls like this below
And then, the big crossing. Water was shallow, 1 ft was most, maybe 20in in some spots.
Pretty cows
Along the Tallulah, many fishering men out there too, catching something.
More than one of smaller falls like this below
And then, the big crossing. Water was shallow, 1 ft was most, maybe 20in in some spots.
- Thread starter
- #34
The river crossing
- Thread starter
- #35
By early afternoon, I followed a side trail. It is the one going straight north from the purple line ending in a small campsite, FR72. I was greeted at the end by a gaggle of Jeeps. Is that right? A gaggle? Anyway, it was the end of the road and they where hanging out there, looking ferocious with the jeep fangs, Isis hunting permit stickers, Obama Sucks t-shirts, and maybe 34 teeth between all of them. I made up the last one. The rest are true.
They where the nicest most friendly group, offered food and drink, to join them, and some advise as to where else to go when I told them about my quest on GA Overland. They told me to look up JeepTrails website, it has it all. After a short visit, I casted off again. My southern-English translator was not picking up all the words anyway.
After a short paved road, entered the Lake Burton Wildlife Management Area, with a creek or river crossing every 1/4 mile of so. A few campsites along the way too. FR 164.
Most looked like this, some bigger, some smaller:
They where the nicest most friendly group, offered food and drink, to join them, and some advise as to where else to go when I told them about my quest on GA Overland. They told me to look up JeepTrails website, it has it all. After a short visit, I casted off again. My southern-English translator was not picking up all the words anyway.
After a short paved road, entered the Lake Burton Wildlife Management Area, with a creek or river crossing every 1/4 mile of so. A few campsites along the way too. FR 164.
Most looked like this, some bigger, some smaller:
- Thread starter
- #36
Next, was the most challenging part of the drive, and I loved every minute of it. Below is the sign, and they are not kidding. The road is on the East side of Swallow Creek Wildlife Management area, and climbs to 4000 feet. It was rocky, it had moguls, it was narrow, and needed navigating. 4Low most of the way to ensure traction and control.
Interesting beaver damn looking like thing on the road
Lots of terrain like this, big cross axle movement and driving
First traffic jam, these group of 4 jeeps were trying to navigate the worse moguls, these are not manicured but erosion formed. Very deep, and all were getting stuck
Or turning back as they couldn't get past it. One of the young man told me I should walk it out first, so I did being prudent. And yes, very challenging, but I have done bigger at Big Creek, so let's go. They all stood aside, I started out slow, two foot driving brake and keeping RPMs at 1200, then felt it starting to give up, slow down, backed about 2 ft, locked it all around, and slowly drove forward like it was a parking lot. Gotta love the Land Cruiser. One guy was laughing out loud, I started laughing too, since the jeeps had giant tires and still wouldn't get through. Young drivers.
Reversing the course:
Interesting beaver damn looking like thing on the road
Lots of terrain like this, big cross axle movement and driving
First traffic jam, these group of 4 jeeps were trying to navigate the worse moguls, these are not manicured but erosion formed. Very deep, and all were getting stuck
Or turning back as they couldn't get past it. One of the young man told me I should walk it out first, so I did being prudent. And yes, very challenging, but I have done bigger at Big Creek, so let's go. They all stood aside, I started out slow, two foot driving brake and keeping RPMs at 1200, then felt it starting to give up, slow down, backed about 2 ft, locked it all around, and slowly drove forward like it was a parking lot. Gotta love the Land Cruiser. One guy was laughing out loud, I started laughing too, since the jeeps had giant tires and still wouldn't get through. Young drivers.
Reversing the course:
- Thread starter
- #37
By now I know it was time to find a campsite. And I found the perfect place, it was amazing views 270 degrees, top of the rough trail, unmarked, 3900 ft elevation, large and flat, secluded, unmarked. So, yeah, I drove on thinking I can find better. But no problem, I marked it well.
Before I forget, I did scouted the Wild Cat campgrounds. Don't bother, drive on and forget it. If you follow my map you will end up there, crowded place.
Continue north on FR698, and it goes down quickly, to 2500ft, and has a lot of good campsites. Here is campsite 2, another large and water front property, flat mostly, fire rings, lots of trees, on side of mountain. Beautiful spot.
How long does it take to build the giant tent you can sleep, cook, eat, and play racketball inside you ask? 29 seconds.
The front yard. Love the little kitchen unit, thanks for the tip Scott!
The backyard
It was getting dark, so time to cook at get ready to call it a day. I downloaded The Martian movie, thought it was very fitting to watch. So second half was showing tonight!
Before I forget, I did scouted the Wild Cat campgrounds. Don't bother, drive on and forget it. If you follow my map you will end up there, crowded place.
Continue north on FR698, and it goes down quickly, to 2500ft, and has a lot of good campsites. Here is campsite 2, another large and water front property, flat mostly, fire rings, lots of trees, on side of mountain. Beautiful spot.
How long does it take to build the giant tent you can sleep, cook, eat, and play racketball inside you ask? 29 seconds.
The front yard. Love the little kitchen unit, thanks for the tip Scott!
The backyard
It was getting dark, so time to cook at get ready to call it a day. I downloaded The Martian movie, thought it was very fitting to watch. So second half was showing tonight!
- Thread starter
- #38
Day 3, Sunday. I had updated the map every night, and knew I wanted to get home before 5. So figured to exit via the Tray Mountain Road that will delivery me to Helen, GA.
It got cold, yes, and Mr. Heater used 2.5 bottles on high, but the tent was 65F, sometimes 67F. Nice.... So I cranked the truck around 8 am, 43F outside, and "click", no fire. Sheeeet! Is it in park? Did I leave something on last night, turn everything off and try again! Then it fired up. Scared the crap out of me.
Another product plug, love this for campsite slippers. Had them for years, never thought of bringing them, but solid rubber bottom and warm as could be.
The route starts with the end of the black, and follow the red all the way, 23 miles of blissful driving, easy dirt roads and hills
Was trying to get the LC with the mountains on the background, the view is 1000% better live
It got cold, yes, and Mr. Heater used 2.5 bottles on high, but the tent was 65F, sometimes 67F. Nice.... So I cranked the truck around 8 am, 43F outside, and "click", no fire. Sheeeet! Is it in park? Did I leave something on last night, turn everything off and try again! Then it fired up. Scared the crap out of me.
Another product plug, love this for campsite slippers. Had them for years, never thought of bringing them, but solid rubber bottom and warm as could be.
The route starts with the end of the black, and follow the red all the way, 23 miles of blissful driving, easy dirt roads and hills
Was trying to get the LC with the mountains on the background, the view is 1000% better live
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- Thread starter
- #39
This are shots from the west side of the same area, heading South.
And the last obligatory crossing
There are some large campsites along this road
Some of the campsites have interesting off road excursion areas like below, cool driving
The rest of the drive was a pleasant downhill like the below, all the way out. Still slow as there are very rutted parts of the road
And the last obligatory crossing
There are some large campsites along this road
Some of the campsites have interesting off road excursion areas like below, cool driving
The rest of the drive was a pleasant downhill like the below, all the way out. Still slow as there are very rutted parts of the road
- Thread starter
- #40
Below is another video, most of the time is easy 4High driving, but there were quite a few sections where you need to slow down and engage 4Low.
I wold do this again. I exited by Helen GA, down GA 17 all the way to I-85. It was 3 hours to get home. So I know if I want to pick up there, will be 3 hours to get in.
Unicorn State Park, yes, there is one, lots of activities place, big cabin rentals, water activities, large campers parking, this is a huge operation. If that is more your thing, look into it, I drove around to see what it was and it is very impressive. You camp right next to a bunch of others, but looks very nice and clean.
Speaking of clean, I want to thank Anheuser-Busch and their brand Budweiser for spending so much money to decorate the campsites and other areas of the trail. The blue cans are a beacon and easy to follow at night. Nice touch.
I wold do this again. I exited by Helen GA, down GA 17 all the way to I-85. It was 3 hours to get home. So I know if I want to pick up there, will be 3 hours to get in.
Unicorn State Park, yes, there is one, lots of activities place, big cabin rentals, water activities, large campers parking, this is a huge operation. If that is more your thing, look into it, I drove around to see what it was and it is very impressive. You camp right next to a bunch of others, but looks very nice and clean.
Speaking of clean, I want to thank Anheuser-Busch and their brand Budweiser for spending so much money to decorate the campsites and other areas of the trail. The blue cans are a beacon and easy to follow at night. Nice touch.
