Possible trip to Helen Ga

Hello folks,

I have 4 days of vacation to take & I'm considering going to Helen, GA. We've never been to Helen, GA. My wife, 2 sons, & myself have been to various parts of the the Smokys, Atlanta, Stone Mountain, Banner Elk & a few other places but always on paved roads. I would like to drive through some scenic trails up there. Except for Lazy Springs Recreation Park almost everything down here is mud & sand. I love to leave Miami whenever possible so we chose Helen for this trip. It's gonna be on Nov 17-20 or Nov 24-27. I just want to take one day for hitting trails & another day to just visit some sites or go water tubing.

What we are looking for:
Waterfalls,
Scenic trails (hopefully see all the Fall leaves in different colors),
Creek crossings,
Some trails where we can park & then walk to a scenic area,
stuff like that.

We're not gonna camp. Well stay at a nearby hotel.

I still don't know if I will take my '08 PreRunner or my wifes '16 4Runner Trail.

My Tacoma
* 4" lift,
* 3 week old LT285/70r17 KO2's,
* 2 year old OEM Limited slip diff,
* SOS Concepts (@EddyRRT) bolt-on Sliders/Steps,
* Rubber inner fender liners that protect the engine accessories from most water & mud splashes.
* 2WD.

My wifes 4Runner (bought 2 weeks ago),
* 2 week old LT265/70r17 GY Duratracs,
* GoRhino 4" Oval tube steps (not meant for offroading but wifey is 5' tall so she needs them.
(I may have Eddy make the same steps for the 4Runner that he made for my Tacoma but not before this trip).
* Will have before the trip: 5100s with fronts @ 1.75" & 1" rear Cornfed spacer,
* 4WD.

My 4Runner is more comfortable & capable than my Tacoma but we don't want to get the 4Runner full of mud or worse, scratch it up. Plus it won't have as much clearance as my Tacoma.

My Tacoma is less capable but I don't mind getting it muddy & if it gets some pinstriping than I am "ok" with that.

So, Are there any trails that can be done in either vehicle that wont beat the trucks up?
So far I Googled "Trail Mountain Rd", "Nimblewill Gap", & "Charlies Creek", and some people have stated that they are OK for 2WD. Is it very muddy during November?

Also, I will know this week which 4 days I will go up there. I'd like to do any trail riding on Saturday so I can take Sunday to drive home. It's an 11 hour drive. Once I know which weekend it will be I will post the dates here. Maybe some of you can join me.

Below are some pics of both trucks:
Thanks,
Petros







The pics below are from Lazy Springs Rec Park




This is from "Tail Of The Dragon", in North Carolina going into Tennessee. November 2014


At work


These things are bad-ass

 

Sounds like a cool trip! I'd like to go check Helen out also sometime, look forward to reading about your trip.

 

This is what I have been using to find trails in N GA. Perhaps it will help you, as well.

https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewer?hl=en&authuser=0&mid=1Ql0ziGJAKsIypInacCFVfmenkmo

 

Oh, and this since you said hotel.

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct...MK5dh64w&ved=1t:3443,p:MtX-V4CqLoXB-wGCwJmoAQ

https://www.google.com/maps/place/A...6a81f76f7c3349!8m2!3d34.5653908!4d-84.2426773

 

There are also some regulars here that might be able to give you more info on the trails in that area @Daria and @JimboAnz .. Pretty sure they know that area.

@Daria could especially enlighten you on Horse Pasture Road in SC, but not sure it will be fully open when you are visiting.

I miss the old sand and bog trails we used to run in FL. Some great times getting out there. Hope you have fun!

 

In November you'll be a bit late for most of the colorful leaves.

Near Helen, try High Shoals falls.

Forestry service road to access the trailhead and then a ~2 mile hike on a very nice trail to see 2 very scenic waterfalls (the falls are very close together).

The road includes a very easy water crossing and is mostly just cruising through the mountains. 2wd no problem.

Also plan a dinner at The Deer Lodge (very close to the High Shoals road entrance) if you're there on a Friday or Saturday evening but be warned, the line starts forming 30 minutes before the place opens. Huge and tasty T Bone for ~$20

Same area, Brasstown Bald, the highest point in GA. Paved trail to the top for easy walking and a nice museum at the top with great views.

Another nice waterfall that is much closer to the road is Helton Creek falls. Very short hike from the parking area of around a tenth of a mile.

One of the best places in the area is Bell Mountain trail, but it is currently closed.

Have a great trip!

 

Tray mtn is over close to Helen. Wasn't a hard trail the last time I was on it (about 2 years ago). It's all going to be scenic.

Or spend a day just driving...go up the Blue Ridge Parkway or the Dragon Tail or the Cherohala Skyway. Great views as far as leaves. Although, with the way things are going right now, there probably won't be any leaves left by then.

 

I live 20min away from there and avoid going through Helen during the fall. It is nice over there just very busy. There are a few FS roads like Trey mtn. You could go over toward Blairsville from Helen into the Coopers creek WMA and find a lot of FS roads.

 

Thank you all very much for the responses! I have a couple of days off coming up this week & I will look into those links. My work computer is very restricted. I'll keep you posted.

 

Don't forget Rock Creek area and Blueridge WMA

 

I like Helen ok....make a trip through blue ridge ga!! Eat at some on the restaurants down town..... we spent 4 days in blue ridge it it's a great little town!!

 

I live in blue ridge and try to avoid it during the fall. Sooooo many people. I hate it. I miss when we had 1 redlight and no one knew where the hell Blue Ridge was.

 

Lol yeah I could imagine that!! Harvest on main is great food!!

 

Helen? More like HELLen. It's going to be nuts all month due to Oktoberfest. Be prepared to sit in traffic and creep 1/8 mile at a time for 30+ minutes just to get into town. All the Suburban folks from Atlanta roll into town from both directions tying up the main drag. Also, pack your earplugs because there will be 200-300 weekend warriors on their HAWGS lining the streets.

Things north of Helen:
Desoto Falls (hiking, camping)
Helton Creek Falls (a fun drive down & up)
Vogel Stat Park (fishing, hiking)
Blood Mtn. (trail from Vogel or another park & hike nearby)
Brasstown Bald (tallest mtn. in Georgia)

The above mentioned spots are favorites for my wife and two kids (5 & 1). As for trails, these other knuckleheads know more about that than me. I'll be up around there & Blairsville next weekend.

 

Leaves are changing here. If we ever get some rain they'll probably all fall (hopefully).

 

I will definitely post them here.

 

Awesome tools & info! Thank you! If you come down to Florida again check out Lazy Springs Recreational Park

 

Awesome & thanks. Have a safe trip & enjoy!

 

Went to Helen last year, rented a Jetta. Slept in the car (4 grown men, not fun).

Hiked Ravencliff I believe it was? Here's one of the pictures if it posts.

Helen's Country Cafe is pretty good, I recommend it. Overall had a great time!