Good Places to Wheel in North GA Area

[wbarnhill]

I am going to be in the Helen, GA area from the Thursday the 29th through the new year and would like to do some wheeling while I'm up.

Do any of you know of some good places within an hour or so radius of Helen, GA? The only place I know of is Beasely Knob, which was a lot of fun when I rode it (in a baby Jeep) a couple of years ago, but I would like to try something new if possible.

I'm not looking for anything crazy since this will be the maiden voyage for the chief, but a good mild trail with a couple of challenges would be perfect.

Thanks in advance,

Whitcomb

[RWrightPhotog]

I'm interested in some answers to this, too! I am planning a trip to North Georgia next weekend. I plan on exploring some forest service roads in the National Forest, along with some fly fishing. I was planning on staying in Atlanta and getting supplies, and then heading to Dahlonegah and the Forest from there. I downloaded and printed the 50-page motor vehicle use map from the Forest website.

I guess I will just go exploring and see what I can find, I understand some of the service roads are pretty rough. But I don't really know where to look.

[five16]

I'm in N.Ga alot and there isn't much wheelin' left. Mostly forestry dirt roads is all you'll find. However the fly fishing is great. Be careful though. Most N. GA trout streams are seasonal (March 1 - Oct 31). There are some year around but not many. Get a map and draw an arc from Suches, Ga to Helen, Ga (Coopers Creek to The Chattahochee). Any "really" good fishing areas will require about a 1 mile hike since most of the rivers have forestry roads right along side of them, the fishing pressure is high. Look on your maps for areas where the river splits away from the roads. That's where the fish are.

I'd recommend swinging by Bass Pro shops in Duluth off Sugarloaf and !-85 on your way up. They have a "fly" section in the back and they will have some river reports posted. If not, Unicoi Outfitters just south of downtown Helen off Rt 17/75 will have your more local reports.

Good luck and in case you ain't fly fished in N. Ga, No "river-runs-through-it" big back casts and you can leave your dry flies in the box. Get a moderate sinking line and bead head nymphs. Also, short rod is a must. Almost all of your casts will be "roll casts" due to the foliage. If your rod is more than 6.5' long, you can be limited in some areas.

[RWrightPhotog]

Thanks a lot for the tips! I plan on heading to Bass Pro on my way up there. I am actually probably going to pick up a new rod/reel while I'm there, too. Earlier this year, I went fly fishing up in the Great Smoky Mountains, so I know exactly what you're talking about with the roll casts.

Speaking of the forestry service roads, how hard are the dirt roads to find? I have never been in the national forest before, but just some dirt roads to "Adventure" down sound just fine to me, I'm not looking to beat my Jeep, ha ha.

[five16]

Below is a little route from Dahlonega. This will run you down some "dirt roads" and take you by some scenery that you can get out and experience. The area around Rock Creek Lake is nice. (there are still some ORV trails out there but tread lightly if you turn down them) they haven't been maintained and you won't get a cell signal to call for help.

This will bring you by one of the Chattahochee Hatcheries and drop you out just West of Coopers Creek WMA near Suches, Ga. From there, work your way back toward Helen and on home.

Lake Winfield Scott is in Suches and it is a Man Made Trout pond. It's nice but not sure how the fishing will be this time of year.

Google NGTO (North Georgia Trout Online) to find some stream reports and details on regulations.

Whew, all this talking is making me wish I could go...


Driving directions to Old Highway 76 & Rock Creek Rd, Morganton, GA 30572 3D2Dhttp://maps.gstatic.com/intl/en_us/mapfiles/transparent.png (http://www.ifsja.org/forums/vb/) Via Camp Wahsega Rd, Coopers Gap Rd, Appalachian Blue Ridge Rd, Rock Creek Rd, Coopers Gap Rd, Rock Creek Rd - remove all (http://www.ifsja.org/forums/vb/)

http://maps.gstatic.com/mapfiles/markers2/marker_greenA.png Dahlonega, GA


http://maps.gstatic.com/mapfiles/transparent.png (http://www.ifsja.org/forums/vb/)

1. Head northeast on Public Square N toward E Main St http://www.ifsja.org//maps.gstatic.com/mapfiles/transparent.png (http://www.ifsja.org/forums/vb/)

157 ft


2. Turn left onto E Main St http://www.ifsja.org//maps.gstatic.com/mapfiles/transparent.png (http://www.ifsja.org/forums/vb/)

0.1 mi


3. Take the 2nd left onto GA-60 BUS N/​N Grove St Continue to follow GA-60 BUS N
http://www.ifsja.org//maps.gstatic.com/mapfiles/transparent.png (http://www.ifsja.org/forums/vb/)

2.2 mi


4. Turn left onto Camp Wahsega Rd http://www.ifsja.org//maps.gstatic.com/mapfiles/transparent.png (http://www.ifsja.org/forums/vb/)

5.3 mi


5. Slight right to stay on Camp Wahsega Rd http://www.ifsja.org//maps.gstatic.com/mapfiles/transparent.png (http://www.ifsja.org/forums/vb/)


3.2 mi


6. Turn right onto Coopers Gap Rd http://www.ifsja.org//maps.gstatic.com/mapfiles/transparent.png (http://www.ifsja.org/forums/vb/)


2.8 mi


7. Turn left onto Appalachian Blue Ridge Rd http://www.ifsja.org//maps.gstatic.com/mapfiles/transparent.png (http://www.ifsja.org/forums/vb/)


3.7 mi


8. Sharp right onto Appalacian Blue Ridge Rd http://www.ifsja.org//maps.gstatic.com/mapfiles/transparent.png (http://www.ifsja.org/forums/vb/)


85 ft

9. Continue onto Rock Creek Rd http://www.ifsja.org//maps.gstatic.com/mapfiles/transparent.png (http://www.ifsja.org/forums/vb/)


3.8 mi


10. Slight left toward Rock Creek Rd http://www.ifsja.org//maps.gstatic.com/mapfiles/transparent.png (http://www.ifsja.org/forums/vb/)


171 ft


11. Make a U-turn http://www.ifsja.org//maps.gstatic.com/mapfiles/transparent.png (http://www.ifsja.org/forums/vb/)


171 ft

12. Continue straight onto Rock Creek Rd http://www.ifsja.org//maps.gstatic.com/mapfiles/transparent.png (http://www.ifsja.org/forums/vb/)


3.8 mi


13. Sharp left onto Appalachian Blue Ridge Rd http://www.ifsja.org//maps.gstatic.com/mapfiles/transparent.png (http://www.ifsja.org/forums/vb/)


3.7 mi


14. Turn right onto Coopers Gap Rd http://www.ifsja.org//maps.gstatic.com/mapfiles/transparent.png (http://www.ifsja.org/forums/vb/)


2.8 mi


15. Turn left onto Camp Wahsega Rd http://www.ifsja.org//maps.gstatic.com/mapfiles/transparent.png (http://www.ifsja.org/forums/vb/)


1.6 mi


16. Turn right onto Etowah Trail http://www.ifsja.org//maps.gstatic.com/mapfiles/transparent.png (http://www.ifsja.org/forums/vb/)


1.0 mi


17. Sharp right onto 2 Run Rd http://www.ifsja.org//maps.gstatic.com/mapfiles/transparent.png (http://www.ifsja.org/forums/vb/)


0.9 mi


18. Turn left onto Camp Wahsega Rd http://www.ifsja.org//maps.gstatic.com/mapfiles/transparent.png (http://www.ifsja.org/forums/vb/)


1.3 mi


19. Turn right onto Coopers Gap Rd http://www.ifsja.org//maps.gstatic.com/mapfiles/transparent.png (http://www.ifsja.org/forums/vb/)


2.8 mi


20. Turn left onto Appalachian Blue Ridge Rd http://www.ifsja.org//maps.gstatic.com/mapfiles/transparent.png (http://www.ifsja.org/forums/vb/)


3.7 mi


21. Sharp right onto Appalacian Blue Ridge Rd http://www.ifsja.org//maps.gstatic.com/mapfiles/transparent.png (http://www.ifsja.org/forums/vb/)


85 ft

22. Continue onto Rock Creek Rd http://www.ifsja.org//maps.gstatic.com/mapfiles/transparent.png (http://www.ifsja.org/forums/vb/)


3.8 mi


23. Slight right to stay on Rock Creek Rd http://www.ifsja.org//maps.gstatic.com/mapfiles/transparent.png (http://www.ifsja.org/forums/vb/)


4.7 mi

http://maps.gstatic.com/mapfiles/markers2/marker_greenB.png Old Highway 76 & Rock Creek Rd
Morganton, GA 30572

[RWrightPhotog]

That's awesome! Thank you!

[RWrightPhotog]

Well, I went to the Rock Creek Road area, in the rain. I drove all around the forest service roads, most of them were just your typical dirt roads, with a couple water crossings. However, there were certainly a few that I wouldn't recommend going down alone, that I skipped. I know my limits, ha ha.

I started down one, but it got way too tight for me to comfortably go down alone in the Wagoneer. I also spun all four tires on another one trying to climb up hill on wet pine needles and Georgia clay. (I have street tires currently on the Waggy.) I had to back down, which was very tight in the Wagoneer! I, uh, ran into a tree once, too. . .

I didn't get much fishing done, but I did pick up a new set up at Bass Pro Shops for my next trip up there. All in all, it was really fun and there were alot of beautiful places.

I also posted a video of my trip up on my blog.

[five16]

Awesome to hear. Send me a message next time your planning to go and I'll follow you up there. (bearing I have mine running again).

[foureyes]

Just ran across this post. I do a ton of fly fishing along the toccoa river near blueridge ga. If anyone's in or around that area send me PM and let's join up.

[RWrightPhotog]

I'll certainly hit you up next time I head up there. There looked like a lot of fun open trails that would be really cool to explore, but they're a must to have someone with you.

foureyes, maybe I will make a trip up there someday soon, I don't get to go fly fishing often enough and almost never with a fellow angler!

[five16]

Just ran across this post. I do a ton of fly fishing along the toccoa river near blueridge ga. If anyone's in or around that area send me PM and let's join up.


I'll certainly hit you up next time I head up there. There looked like a lot of fun open trails that would be really cool to explore, but they're a must to have someone with you.

foureyes, maybe I will make a trip up there someday soon, I don't get to go fly fishing often enough and almost never with a fellow angler!

I'm in too. Sounds like a plan could come together.

[Coryd55]

Just ran across this post. I do a ton of fly fishing along the toccoa river near blueridge ga. If anyone's in or around that area send me PM and let's join up.

We have a cabin up in Blue Ridge. We are up there often.

[wbarnhill]

We have a cabin up in Blue Ridge. We are up there often.

I like where all this is going. We ought to plan a trip up that way before it gets too hot.

We have a place out side of Helen, so we could do some fishing (I'm also a big fly fisherman) and maybe go over to Beasley Knob for some wheeling one day. I think Beasley is somewhat in between Helen and Blue Ridge.

What do yall think?

[billyrb]

I grew up fishing, hiking and camping in much of the places listed above, as well as a few others. Miss that. Hope to get my family up to those places and spend some time relearning my past in the near future.