129/19  Ramble              

       Bogg's Creek                                      

                 

       This was my first visit to the Bogg's Creek  area of the Chestatee WMA .It had been closed due to extensive tornado damage  and for the most part was supposed to be impassable .  The clean up crew did a remarkable job . There were a few remaining tangles but not many .

        The rock formations along Bogg's is impressive . There is one stretch along where 443A fords the creek where the water has worn a trough 20' to 30' long, 10' to 15; wide , and about 4' deep .
                 

   The trough on the other side of the ford isn't quite as large but it  looks as though it was scalloped from the rock .

   The feeder creek along 443A is quite small but very picturesque for the mile or so we followed it upstream . A fallen tree halted our progress right after a small , noisy waterfall .

   
This area has some nice stream side campsites and will definitely be worth a spring time visit . Since this is a seasonal trout stream we didn't get to do any fishing . This would also be a good area to hunt based on the hog rooting and coyote scat along the roads .

      Neel's Gap

     

   A little further north is the Walasi-Yi Center . As many times as I have passed here , this was the first time I stopped in . A tremendous amount of young energy and friendly folks . Mostly geared for hikers , tourists are made welcome too . Used , and abused packs and boots line the walls and ceiling . The young lady at the counter was more than happy to relate a few of their stories . If you need gear , food ,or drinks for the trail , they have you pretty well covered . I even bought the wife a shirt and you know how cheap I am .
  The wind chimes outside the door were getting quite a workout from the icy wind blowing through the gap . The observation area above and behind the store has beautiful vistas . It was a bit chilly so after a few pics ,we headed down .

   Byron Reece Trailhead 

   A short stop at the trailhead for a very short hike up to the switchbacks on Blood Mountain   before turning back for lunch . I need to come back with a hiking companion and attack those switchbacks .
The pic is from across the street . Looks like Mount Fuji .
 

 Helton Creek Falls 

 

  Turning onto Helton Creek Road , I thought I had missed a turn .  A narrow paved road sparsely lined with mailboxes and nice cabins instead of a  dirt road . I think the area is called Vogel Springs Community . Quite a few for sale signs in a really nice area . A sign by a side road pointing the way to the falls confirmed that I was on the right path . I guess they were tired of folks wandering down their dead end street on a waterfall quest .

  

 
 Finally the paved road gave way to a proper dirt Forest Service road . If you miss the signs you can still hear and see the falls from the road . There is a small parking area right at the trailhead . Steps lead down to a view of the falls through the trees . A short , easy trail leads to more steps . You can go down to the base of the falls or up to the top of the first falls . If you go on a cold day , watch for ice and frost on the steps and the rocks .
 

  A short flight of steps go to the upper falls and an observation deck .  You can go around the deck to get a better view ,but use caution . There had been quite a few trees dropped in the area . I wasn't sure if it was for safety or to give a better view but some were behemoths .
 

   The map shows the road going through to 348 (   Russell-Brasstown Scenic Drive ) but we retraced our steps back to  129 to visit Vogel State Park . BTW , internet gossip says you need a high clearance vehicle to go to 348 . I don't know .

    Vogel SP

    Still heading north , we rolled into Vogel State Park . Another place I have passed many times and this was my first visit . I especially wanted to see the Civilian Conservation Corps museum . Unfortunately it is only open on Sundays this time of year . I guess I'll have to come back in the spring so I can avoid the week end crowds .
  We, being old farts , snuck into the no parking area at the Trahlyta Falls trailhead by 180 . The wind blowing a million miles an hour across the lake made for an invigorating walk , but we soldiered on .

  The stone work at the spillway is impressive considering the era and conditions that they were built . The trail to the base of the falls winds downward gently ,but the steps to the observation deck call for some long legs . The deck had icicles hanging off it and there were a few patches of ice , so , again , be careful .

  Well worth the windy walk . Another beautiful Georgia trip that warrants visits in any season . Great campgrounds , cabins, beaches , and kayak,canoe, paddleboat , and bicycle rentals .

       180 / Wolf Pen Gap Road 

  After leaving the park , we hooked a left at Wolf Pen Gap Road . This has always been one of my favorite roads especially when I was on a Harley . A seriously winding road with several hairpins thrown in .  A small pullout at Sosebee's Cove is worth checking out . A short set of steps lead to an easy  trail around part of the cove .  It's not as hard as it looks from the top .Forest giants abound here and the springtime wildflower show is magnificent .
  There is also a small memorial to Arthur Woody , the barefoot ranger . An interesting character in Georgia's history , he was instrumental in much of the land purchase for the Chattahoochee National Forest and also a major player in the reintroduction of the whitetail deer to the mountains .

 

   Further on you pass Lake Winfield Scott S P . There is a great view of the lake from the road and on the other side a fine example of a rock dam . I still haven't visited this park ,but it' on the list .

Continuing on towards Suches you pass two entrances to Cooper Creek WMA . They are both worthy drives when you have time . There are miles of hiking trails and seasonal trout streams . You might even catch a glimpse of the elusive mountain grouse if you know where to look .

A right hand turn on 60 and a left on Gaddistown Road was our final scenic leg of todays trip . FS 28 past the Ranger camp. to Nimblewill Road to 52 to Ellijay . South on 515/575  just as you are coming into Jasper there is a Fatz restaurant on the left . Good food at a decent price and only a ten minute wait on a Friday night .


     Definitely a long and full day .