Adventure Out

Autumn Road

On this adventure we’re hitting the road for a leaf peeper loop tour that takes us from Rabun County to White County to Towns County and back to Rabun. And since this is a loop, you can start anywhere, Helen/Robertstown, Hiawassee, Clayton or any community nearby. I’m starting in Clayton, with all the roads being major thoroughfares so you can follow this route with a simple map or GPS. And you hikers fear not, there are several great hiking excursions along the way. Let’s get started. From downtown Clayton, we’re heading south on Main Street which is also Old Hwy 441. in 2.5 miles we come to Tiger Mountain Vineyards where you can stop in for a wine tasting or a snack at the Red Barn Cafe. We continue south on Old Hwy 441 to the four way stop in Tiger. We turn right on Bridge Creek Road and in 4 miles we come to another award winning wine location, Stonewall Creek Vineyards. A beautiful setting with lovely wines and small bites. Charcuterie anyone?

Adventure Out – Autumn Road Trip By Peter McIntosh Tiger Barn Now we continue on Bridge Creek Road until it dead ends into Burton Dam road where we take a right and head over to Hwy 197. We turn left on Hwy 197, heading South for 3 miles to the

Peter McIntosh is an accomplished professional photographer. His photography is displayed in collections across the country. His passion for nature and the outdoors is what fuels his column. His work is available as fine art prints. Peter offers one on one and small group instruction on camera operation and photography. To see more of Peter’s photos, or if you have a question or comment, visit Peter’s website: www.mcintoshmountains.com

Anna Ruby Falls

intersection with Hwy 356. We turn right on Hwy 356 following the signs to Unicoi State Park. (Please keep in mind this adventure is about the journey, not a destination, so take it easy, pull over to take photos, etc.) After 9 miles on Hwy 356 we come to Unicoi State Park, crossing over Unicoi Lake. There’s a parking area on the far side of the lake that offers access to the Lake Loop Trail, a 2.5 mile footpath circling the lake with some nice bridges and fishing docks along the way. Anna Ruby Falls is also nearby and is well worth a visit. We continue on Hwy 356 to its end at Hwy 17/75. Just before this intersection, look for Fred’s Famous Peanuts on the right, a great place to stop for a snack. We turn right on Hwy 17/75 and go north for 1/2 mile, the intersection with Alt. Hwy 75 on the left, crossing over the Chattahoochee River. There’s a flea market here and a zip line course that takes you back and forth across the river. We turn left on Alt 75 and go a little over 2 miles to the intersection with Hwy 348 on the right, aka the Russell-Brasstown Scenic Byway. In 1.7 miles on Hwy 348, look for the Dukes Creek falls parking area

on the left. (another hiking opportunity, 1/2 mile each way) Continuing on, it’s about a mile to the Raven Cliffs parking area, also on the left. (This is a moderate trail, 2.5 miles each way, leading to Raven Cliffs Falls. This is a beautiful footpath with several cascades along the way. If the trail is open of course.) Onward and upward we come to a scenic overlook on the left but go just a little further to a much better overlook, offering the same view of Mount Yonah and the foothills below. Higher up we go and soon come to the high point on the road, Hog Pen Gap and the Appalachian Trail. Now the road descends down to its termination point at Hwy 180. (Lots of pretty views on this section of road.) We turn right on Hwy 180 following the signs to Brasstown Bald, Georgia’s highest mountain. In a little less than

Brasstown Bald Sunset

9 miles, we reach the access road to Brasstown Bald on the left. It’s 3 miles to the parking lot and a 6/10 mile steep hike to the observation tower at the top. During the day, from 10:00am to 5:00pm, there is a shuttle to the top. There is a visitors center/gift shop and restrooms at the parking area. There are restrooms and a theater at the top. The 360 degree view from the platform on the top of this 4,784 foot mountain is spectacular. Looking north, if it’s clear, you can see the white quartz rock on the top of Bell Mountain, our next destination. Now back down to Hwy 180 where we go left, heading back to Hwy 17/75. (The sign says Helen but we’re not going that way.) At Hwy 17/75, we turn left again, going north towards Hiawassee and Highway 76. At the intersection with Hwy 76, we turn left and head west for 1.3 miles, looking for Shake Rag Road on the right. This is the road to Bell Mountain Park. There is a convenience store at the intersection called the Lake View Store and a power substation, just across the road. Shake Rag Road is a single track paved road leading all the way to the top, 3 miles from Hwy 76. Stay on the paved road as there is a sign, about 2.5 miles in, where Shake Rag Road bears off to the left. Stay on main paved road. This is a very steep road so don’t try it if you don’t have good brakes. It’s steep coming down as well! There is a new park at the top with an observation platform offering stunning views of Lake Chatuge and the surrounding mountains. If you look to the south-southwest, you can see the tower on the top of Brasstown Bald Now we head back down, slowly and carefully, to Hwy 76. Now we turn left, heading east. We ascend to Dick’s Creek Gap where we again cross the Appalachian Trail and then descend. After about 5 miles, look for the Popcorn Overlook on the left, one of my favorites. Now back on the road and back to Clayton where you can celebrate your adventure at one of the town’s many fine eateries. Happy driving!

And now it’s time for my October rhyme: A great autumn to see leaf peeping finery, And stop on the way to visit some wineries. There’s plenty of places to get in some hiking, Or just make it a road trip if that’s to your liking.

To see more of Peter’s photos, or if you have a question or comment: www.mcintoshmountains.com Tiger mountain Vineyards: https://tigerwine.com/ Stonewall Creek Vineyards: https://stonewallcreek.com/ Unicoi State Park: http://www.gastateparks.org/Unicoi Brasstown Bald Info: 706-896-2556