Just watched this.Great write up.Your points on tearing up the trail is spot on.Over the years we've lost Anderson Creek,Rich mountain,and parts of Cohutta .Flatland rd is probably next.Stay on the route and remember what Tellico was and what it is now.Sometimes we are our worst own enemies.
Yeah, it’s unfortunate for sure. It’s almost impossible to get a trail reopened. Sadly, we have lost a lot of great trails around the southeast due to abuse.
Thank you so much for this video, I'm planning on making the trip in November and your tips and points have given me such reassurance. Wherever the road takes me!!!!
@teamnoexcuses8644 Yeah, we did. The trails were a breeze. One night was nice an foggy, but that brought rain the next day. IIRC the only time we took it out of 4wd was to get up a hill to a campsite. Have fun if you make it up there. We flew through it, wish we had slowed down a bit.
You can pass the tumbling creek route. Sign has been up for almost a year over a tree we cut up a week after it fell. The park is just lazy in our area
Good video, we did the southern part of the loop and a few off shoots over Labor Day weekend last week. We want to head back up soon and try more of the traverse, this video was helpful.
Really enjoyed your video … thanks for taking the time to post it. I’ve done a few sections in the past but we’re planning a full length trip in early March of ‘23. Not as much detail as I had hoped for but the detail you provided was certainly helpful. In my opinion, the best thing thing you offered was some sage advise in terms of proper state of mind and approach to the journey. Really well done and SO much more interesting than :25 minutes of looking at your hood going down gravel roads. Thanks again for doing such a good job … you earned a new subscriber.
I'm planning on running the trail within a few months and I'd love to maybe plan this with someone. I'm running an 04 Chevy Tahoe Z71 4x4 with a few modifications on it. 😎
You can do the entire trail in 2wd. There wasn't a single spot I went in to 4wd let alone 4 low. Decent tires and 8 inches of ground clearance is really all you need.
Trey mountain is permanently closed, few years back it had a pretty nasty landslide/mud slide. It was awesome, but alas, trail abuse took its toll. Tread lightly and safe riding.
It is actually not possible to close Trey Mountain. The North East road is closed. The main road up to the top from Helen and down to the left is always open as people live on the mountain.
From helen to the top and down the left road side towards Hiawassee cannot be closed. Trey mountain rd to the top at least. There is a gate on the road on the right. There is also another road 3/4 of the way up on the left that heads down.
@@straydogoutdoors7050 HaulinVols Adventures and I are discussing when we will go. I'll let him advise as I'm not sure of the details. However, he did tell me that my truck would do fine. There's one spot where it is a bit rocky on the portion he did where it may challenge the truck but it wouldn't be like rock crawling. It would just be a spot to take your time.
I did see two full size trucks in the Charlie’s Creek section when I came through. That said, you may catch your undercarriage in some sections and your back bumper may drag in some spots. It may also be a little tight in some areas. The Tundra is fairly wide. If it were me, I think I’d take the 4Runner assuming it has some good tires and it’s not on street tread.
@@haulinvols general grapplers on method rims. Lift and armor should be getting done this summer. I wanted my tundra to simply sleep in the bed since I have a cap and because I have my full mounting hardware setup on it. But I could deal!
@@The.End. gotcha. As a comparison, my Wrangler is an unlimited Rubicon leveled with 32” BFG Mud terrains. It had no problems anywhere along the trail and your 4Runner would be perfect as well. Don’t get me wrong, your Tundra would be just fine on 95% of the trip but there are a few areas of Charlie’s Creek that may or may not give you some fits. I can remember at least two spots you my drag frame a little or may drag the rear bumper but other than that it would be passable. If you search RUclips, there is a video somewhere of a guy that did that section in a newer stock Titan. There is also one stream crossing about 2/3rds into the trip that I remember being a little on the narrow side but still passable in a full size. It would be nice having the bed to sleep in. I tent camped along my trip and hopefully the next time I do the trip I’ll have a roof top tent.
Helen was platted in 1912, and named after the daughter of a lumber official. The town was incorporated in 1913. Formerly a logging town that was in decline, the city resurrected itself by becoming a replica of a Bavarian alpine town, in the Appalachians instead of the Alps.
Great Video! Can't wait to get out and do this trail. Do you have suggestions for where to stay the night before starting the trail and where to gas up before hitting the trail?
It all really depends on where you are coming from and if you are starting it from the west or east. I started from the east near the GA/SC border. I was coming from the north and topped my tank off in Cashiers North Carolina (bout 15 miles away from the start). Highlands North Carolina isn't that far either coming from the north and there were a few hotels around that area. Living in Knoxville, I just left super early in the morning and drove down to start my trip.
Once I hit gravel for the first time, I did lower my pressure down to the lower to mid 20s just to help with the ride and allow the tires to conform to the rocks and ruts on the rougher portions of the road. I aired down a little more when I hit Charlie’s Creek. I put a few more pounds back in the tires after that section. I did add a bit more when I hit a stretch where I was on pavement for a while. Even then I didn’t air all the way back up to normal pressures until I headed home on the highway.
Thanks for the tips just started exploring doing this traverse. I've seen videos of the gravel roads but not the roads you showed which were more rutted out. Question. From where you start the trail, how long does it take to get to Helen?
Great question. I think it really depends on your comfort level on temperature. I did it in early March and to be honest, I think I’ll do it again closer to the end of March or first of April so it is a tad warmer at night. I’m comfortable down to around mid 40’s. Lower than that and my joints hate me. I like early spring and late fall camping.
I’m always hesitant to give someone a solid Yes or No for liability purposes. That said, I saw several stock trucks of all types making the trip. I’d say you could do 95% of the trip in a Subaru and even saw someone on one section in a Prius. Most of the traverse is pretty well maintained gravel road and pavement. If you have some off-road experience and know how to pick a line then a stock Taco 4x4 should be suitable. The only area I used 4wd in my Rubicon was on Charlie’s Creek and even then only really needed it in a couple spots to keep from spinning out. My Jeep was stock on 32” tires.
Hello, they are some 4 foot ratchet straps I purchased off Amazon. I just passed them through the handles of the boards and through the openings in the spare wheel. Here is a link. www.amazon.com/gp/product/B088ML4FK2/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&th=1
You left out paying attention to burn bans. If it has been dry, like you said it was, and don't know if there is a ban - assume there is. And the Chattahoochee Oconee Nat Forest's Twitter updates road closures. They will often close certain roads ahead/after a heavy rain bc morons like to go mudding and damage the roads. Their FS page does update pretty accurately. They did NO road maintaining during 2020 and in 2021 so far.
As with anything like this it's hit or miss. Driving down the rural roads, I would have some service, further in the back country on the forest service roads, there would be little to no service. That's why it is important to make sure your vehicle is serviced well and is in good working order. I also have a CB radio for backup communication.
The traverse starts in South Carolina, travels through parts of North Carolina, Georgia and Tennessee then ends just over the border of Georgia and Alabama.
@@haulinvols ok I thought you were at the eastern end of it around Tn/Ga. From Highlands NC over through Helen Ga etc. Thanks for the video. I'm wanting to spend some time on the traverse hopefully this summet
@@mlinder2000 I highly recommend it. I did start in the east side and worked my way west. Unfortunately my trip was cut short but I plan on doing it again later in the year.
This is a fun road and a beautiful ride. Thanks for the video and help a fellow Jeeper out get my channel up and going at @BiancaGreenJeep, thanks and God Bless
Just watched this.Great write up.Your points on tearing up the trail is spot on.Over the years we've lost Anderson Creek,Rich mountain,and parts of Cohutta .Flatland rd is probably next.Stay on the route and remember what Tellico was and what it is now.Sometimes we are our worst own enemies.
Yeah, it’s unfortunate for sure. It’s almost impossible to get a trail reopened. Sadly, we have lost a lot of great trails around the southeast due to abuse.
Thank you very much for the in depth info. I am new to overlanding and appreciate all the info I can get.
Glad you found it useful.
Ty for this
Thank you so much for this video, I'm planning on making the trip in November and your tips and points have given me such reassurance. Wherever the road takes me!!!!
Fantastic! Hope you have a great trip.
Thanks for the video... looking to go at the end of November
Did you end up doing the traverse at the end of November? Im planning that trip this year, thanksgiving week. If you did it, how were the trails?
@teamnoexcuses8644 Yeah, we did. The trails were a breeze. One night was nice an foggy, but that brought rain the next day. IIRC the only time we took it out of 4wd was to get up a hill to a campsite. Have fun if you make it up there. We flew through it, wish we had slowed down a bit.
Just got my jeep a week ago & have been playing around up near the Georgia Traverse in Tennessee.
You can pass the tumbling creek route. Sign has been up for almost a year over a tree we cut up a week after it fell. The park is just lazy in our area
Ahh. Good to know. Thanks!
Thanks for the info!
Good video, we did the southern part of the loop and a few off shoots over Labor Day weekend last week. We want to head back up soon and try more of the traverse, this video was helpful.
And I’m subscribed now!
That’s awesome. I really need to get back down there and check out more of the area.
Really enjoyed your video … thanks for taking the time to post it. I’ve done a few sections in the past but we’re planning a full length trip in early March of ‘23. Not as much detail as I had hoped for but the detail you provided was certainly helpful. In my opinion, the best thing thing you offered was some sage advise in terms of proper state of mind and approach to the journey. Really well done and SO much more interesting than :25 minutes of looking at your hood going down gravel roads. Thanks again for doing such a good job … you earned a new subscriber.
Thanks for the reply. I appreciate the praise.
This was what I was looking for. Thank you
Thank you. This video is great. Just what I needed to watch while looking to do this ride.
You are welcome. Glad you found it helpful.
Sounds like a cool trip. I’ve been looking at the SCAR South Carolina Adventure Route which seems like a similar concept.
I hadn’t heard of that one yet. I’ll need to look into it.
Thanks for on point info!!!.
You are welcome, hope it comes in handy for you.
Great video, thank you!
Doing this next month, thanks for the info!
Sure thing. Hope you have a great trip.
I'm planning on running the trail within a few months and I'd love to maybe plan this with someone. I'm running an 04 Chevy Tahoe Z71 4x4 with a few modifications on it. 😎
You can do the entire trail in 2wd. There wasn't a single spot I went in to 4wd let alone 4 low. Decent tires and 8 inches of ground clearance is really all you need.
Trey mountain is permanently closed, few years back it had a pretty nasty landslide/mud slide. It was awesome, but alas, trail abuse took its toll. Tread lightly and safe riding.
It is actually not possible to close Trey Mountain. The North East road is closed. The main road up to the top from Helen and down to the left is always open as people live on the mountain.
@@eag8999 are you referring to the chimney lake side?
From helen to the top and down the left road side towards Hiawassee cannot be closed. Trey mountain rd to the top at least. There is a gate on the road on the right. There is also another road 3/4 of the way up on the left that heads down.
@@eag8999 ill have to go look, i live 20 min from it, last time i was over there they had the area shut down due to slides.
Once I get my 2 Door Tahoe sorted out, I'd tag along on this trip. And I would agree, cooler temps are a must.
Did you ever do the Georgia Traverse Trail? I have an 04 Chevy Tahoe Z71 that I'm planning on running on it.
@@straydogoutdoors7050 HaulinVols Adventures and I are discussing when we will go. I'll let him advise as I'm not sure of the details. However, he did tell me that my truck would do fine. There's one spot where it is a bit rocky on the portion he did where it may challenge the truck but it wouldn't be like rock crawling. It would just be a spot to take your time.
Some good info! Truly appreciated!
Also would my 2020 tundra stock height and aggressive tires be good size clearance for the worse parts or should I go with my 19 4Runner?
I did see two full size trucks in the Charlie’s Creek section when I came through. That said, you may catch your undercarriage in some sections and your back bumper may drag in some spots. It may also be a little tight in some areas. The Tundra is fairly wide. If it were me, I think I’d take the 4Runner assuming it has some good tires and it’s not on street tread.
@@haulinvols general grapplers on method rims. Lift and armor should be getting done this summer. I wanted my tundra to simply sleep in the bed since I have a cap and because I have my full mounting hardware setup on it. But I could deal!
@@The.End. gotcha. As a comparison, my Wrangler is an unlimited Rubicon leveled with 32” BFG Mud terrains. It had no problems anywhere along the trail and your 4Runner would be perfect as well. Don’t get me wrong, your Tundra would be just fine on 95% of the trip but there are a few areas of Charlie’s Creek that may or may not give you some fits. I can remember at least two spots you my drag frame a little or may drag the rear bumper but other than that it would be passable. If you search RUclips, there is a video somewhere of a guy that did that section in a newer stock Titan. There is also one stream crossing about 2/3rds into the trip that I remember being a little on the narrow side but still passable in a full size. It would be nice having the bed to sleep in. I tent camped along my trip and hopefully the next time I do the trip I’ll have a roof top tent.
Helen was platted in 1912, and named after the daughter of a lumber official. The town was incorporated in 1913. Formerly a logging town that was in decline, the city resurrected itself by becoming a replica of a Bavarian alpine town, in the Appalachians instead of the Alps.
Great info
Great Video! Can't wait to get out and do this trail. Do you have suggestions for where to stay the night before starting the trail and where to gas up before hitting the trail?
It all really depends on where you are coming from and if you are starting it from the west or east. I started from the east near the GA/SC border. I was coming from the north and topped my tank off in Cashiers North Carolina (bout 15 miles away from the start). Highlands North Carolina isn't that far either coming from the north and there were a few hotels around that area. Living in Knoxville, I just left super early in the morning and drove down to start my trip.
Great video, thank you. Did you air down when off pavement? If so, did you air back up each time you hit pavement again?
Once I hit gravel for the first time, I did lower my pressure down to the lower to mid 20s just to help with the ride and allow the tires to conform to the rocks and ruts on the rougher portions of the road. I aired down a little more when I hit Charlie’s Creek. I put a few more pounds back in the tires after that section. I did add a bit more when I hit a stretch where I was on pavement for a while. Even then I didn’t air all the way back up to normal pressures until I headed home on the highway.
Thanks for the tips just started exploring doing this traverse. I've seen videos of the gravel roads but not the roads you showed which were more rutted out. Question. From where you start the trail, how long does it take to get to Helen?
I took my first photo at the start of the trip at 8:52am and hit Helen that same day at just before 5PM. Hope that helps.
Great video - I’m just getting into over landing. Is there a better time of year to do this trip?
Great question. I think it really depends on your comfort level on temperature. I did it in early March and to be honest, I think I’ll do it again closer to the end of March or first of April so it is a tad warmer at night. I’m comfortable down to around mid 40’s. Lower than that and my joints hate me. I like early spring and late fall camping.
I have a 2020 Tundra 4X4 TRD (not pro) with some BFG all terrain tires. No lift or special suspension. Would that be suitable for the Traverse?
I’m always hesitant to give someone a solid Yes or No for liability purposes. That said, I saw several stock trucks of all types making the trip. I’d say you could do 95% of the trip in a Subaru and even saw someone on one section in a Prius. Most of the traverse is pretty well maintained gravel road and pavement. If you have some off-road experience and know how to pick a line then a stock Taco 4x4 should be suitable. The only area I used 4wd in my Rubicon was on Charlie’s Creek and even then only really needed it in a couple spots to keep from spinning out. My Jeep was stock on 32” tires.
@@haulinvols thanks
What straps are you using to hold your boards on your spare tire?
Hello, they are some 4 foot ratchet straps I purchased off Amazon. I just passed them through the handles of the boards and through the openings in the spare wheel. Here is a link. www.amazon.com/gp/product/B088ML4FK2/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&th=1
@@haulinvols thanks I have them saved
You left out paying attention to burn bans. If it has been dry, like you said it was, and don't know if there is a ban - assume there is. And the Chattahoochee Oconee Nat Forest's Twitter updates road closures. They will often close certain roads ahead/after a heavy rain bc morons like to go mudding and damage the roads. Their FS page does update pretty accurately. They did NO road maintaining during 2020 and in 2021 so far.
Good point. There were a couple areas closer to home doing prescribed burns that week I was doing the traverse.
The Traverse should stop in Crandall on 411---
no mention of any cellphone service anywhere?
As with anything like this it's hit or miss. Driving down the rural roads, I would have some service, further in the back country on the forest service roads, there would be little to no service. That's why it is important to make sure your vehicle is serviced well and is in good working order. I also have a CB radio for backup communication.
I think you are meaning Tenn. not Alabama?
The traverse starts in South Carolina, travels through parts of North Carolina, Georgia and Tennessee then ends just over the border of Georgia and Alabama.
@@haulinvols ok I thought you were at the eastern end of it around Tn/Ga. From Highlands NC over through Helen Ga etc. Thanks for the video. I'm wanting to spend some time on the traverse hopefully this summet
@@mlinder2000 I highly recommend it. I did start in the east side and worked my way west. Unfortunately my trip was cut short but I plan on doing it again later in the year.
This is a fun road and a beautiful ride. Thanks for the video and help a fellow Jeeper out get my channel up and going at @BiancaGreenJeep, thanks and God Bless