Looking to do the Georgia Traverse 7/8-7/11

[Rusty Marlin]

And I am looking for another rig to go with us.
I am running a well maintained, lifted and armored, LX450 hauling an AT Overland Horizon trailer.
For us, it will be the wife and I, two teenagers and a Scotty dog.
Want to start on the east end and see how far we get by Sunday. Not looking to sprint accross, 50-60 miles per day with stops for waterfalls, swimming, and light hiking.
We are new to Overlanding, but not camping and the outdoors. And as the first rule or off-roading is never go alone, thought I'd try to find a fellow Mudder that would like to join us. Each party is responsible for their own food, fuel, water and toilet accommodations.
Comms via 2m and 70cm HAM and/or MURS. I can provide a handytalky for MURS if needed.
I'm an old school paper map kind of guy and have a route well planned out in conjunction with ON-X Off road and the U.S. Forest service maps. (confirming any road closures with US Forest service)
Start point is 34.89715710369249, -82.99823034069263 between 6:30 and 7PM on 7/7. (can be adjusted as needed, but I would like to hit the first camp site before dark)


Any fellow adventurers up for a drive in the GA mountains?
Rusty

 

[GregFrench]

Damn! I have duty that weekend or I would for sure!

 

[Bryanseye]

This still happening? I know I am unable to attend but would like a trip report.

 

[Rusty Marlin]

Still happening. getting antsy for "wheels up".
I'll wait at the Marathon gas station at the above Lat. and Long. till 7PM incase anybody cares to join.

 

[Rusty Marlin]

If anybody showed up and was looking to surprise me... Well we were late, about an hour and a half. So....oops.
First night was at Winding Stairs in SC about 8 miles from the Marathon Station in Salem SC.
There are a couple of campsites but only 1 suitable for trailer with RTT and its the parking area for the trail head.
I need to go back and spend the weekend with a gold pan. The creek looks very promising.
As this was the first time in the tent "in the wild"; (Yard camping for test drives don't count) there were some discouraging words between the wife and I about order of operations and what comes out and what stays in and set up and leveling, and ....Oy Vey!, too many type A personalities after dark. But we came together and got it sorted.
Here's camp our first morning.

The hunting blind is the "outhouse". Worked perfectly.
The kids slept in their hammocks.

Breakfast was omelets in wraps with pan fried potatoes and onions.

 

[Rusty Marlin]

We took a turn short off 107 and ended up on the South Side of the SC GA boarder and by the time I figured it out we lost about an hour and a half.
But the ride was nice and my daughter was an obliging camera operator...
(posted video)
Not a very auspicious start to a 4 day trip, getting the first turn jacked up, end up down a two track pointed down hill on a hogsback with a trailer in tow on road very much less traveled.

I scouted ahead on foot and cowardice took over and rather than push on I made the executive derision to get us turned around.
Had to back the trailer about 100ft uphill on twisty two track to a spot wide enough to jack-knife it far enough off the trail to drop it, slip past it, come back down from the top backward, re-hook and and not loose it or the truck off the hogs-back. The wife and kids were instrumental in this act of organized chaos and it was a fantastic bonding moment.
On a side note I'd love to go back to that road, sans trailer, and with back up, and find the end of that two track.

 

[Rusty Marlin]

After that minor detour we proceeded on the proper rout and arrived at the Tallulah River Camp Ground that evening.

No need for the outhouse here, but the shower room was set up.
And OH MY DAMN! What a welcome shower it was! We set up over 200 ft away from the river so no worries about contaminating the river water.

We had to kill the AC as the fan clutch decided to die as was were headed up Burrells Ford Rd. Watched my temps like a hawk and never let it get over 230degrees. But that makes for a stressful day. This rig runs 186 to 194 normally.
We stayed at Tallulah River CG for two nights. Rather than stress the engine with the trailer in tow we decided to take a day trip Friday and come home a day early (today) via paved roads babying the engine.
For our day trip we took the Charles Creek Trail and forded the Tallulah River below the Tate Camp Ground.
I didn't get any video of cross the Tallulah, but my "camera woman" volunteered to get her feet frozen in this mountain stream.

Its a dirt trial, all dirt and clay right up till "they" improved it on the west side of the ADK Trial crossing with truck after truck of crusher run, excavators and front end loaders.
After the ADK it's a wicked steep down hill run, but boring and tame with the "improvements."
Went to Hiawassee and found a TOYOTA grilled 80 tucked in behind the main drag. No body around to pester about it, so we rolled on.
From there, went back east and south to Clayton and then to the Tallulah Gorge State Park and played tourist.
On our way out of Clayton we passed a herd of 80's at Mama G's Italian restaurant.
At the park we climbed down to the suspension bridge and I made it sway to scare the crap out my boy. LOL! BTW, that's a heck of a hole in the ground!
Then back to the camp ground for a swim (wade) in the Tallulah, SOMBITCH that was COLD! I've been South long enough I'd forgotten what cold water felt like. In one way or another we spent the whole day in or around the Tallulah. Kinda cool.
Here's Number 1 daughter test driving the new camp oven with a batch of brownies.

Temps without the trailer attached stayed in the 200 to 215 range.

 

[Rusty Marlin]

Today we drove home along paved roads to keep the air speed up over the radiator.
As long as we were moving temps stayed under 210, any traffic or hills and it would climb into the 220's.
Gonna need a fan clutch. Once that's taken care of we'll attempt the Traverse again.