Great Day Of Exploring!! – Thursday, August 14, 2014

We came to Rivers Edge RV Park near Blairsville, GA completely unprepared.  I usually have done my research and know where things are that we want to see and do.  This time I had nothing;o((  However, when we arrived, Karen and Al presented us with a wonderful stack of information they had collected at the Chamber of Commerce!!  We spent last evening making a plan for today.

First on our list was Brasstown Bald, the highest point in Georgia. Second on the list was Mountain Crossings at Neel’s Gap on the Appalachian Trail.  We explored both of these and added two more along our route: Helton Creek Falls and Sunrise Grocery.

A – Rivers Edge RV Park

B – Brasstown Bald

C – Mountain Crossing at Neel’s Gap

D – Helton Creek Falls

E – Sunrise Grocery

 

 

Brasstown Bald with an elevation of 4784 feet it is the highest point in Georgia.

 

Click on any photo to enlarge or hover your mouse on any photo for a description.

 

It is only a short 10 mile drive from the RV park to the Brasstown Bald entrance.

 

 

We took our time on the steep winding road to the entrance gate and parking area.   

 

It is a National Park so our Senior Park Pass got us in for free.

 

However, we decided to pay $2.00 for the shuttle ride to the summit;o))

It wasn’t too crowded!!!

 

 

 

 

It was a bit cloudy and cool at the top of the mountain.

 

 

On the first level, there is a visitor center which has nice displays and a movie.

 

 

 

We watched the movie and enjoyed the displays before walking up to the viewing level above.

 

You have access to the views in every direction, but the tower is not open to the public;o((

 

 

Even on this cloudy day, the views are wonderful!!!

  

 

 

You can understand why they are called The Blue Ridge Mountains!!!

 

 

If it had been a bit warmer than 57 degrees,

 

we may have planted ourselves in a rocker for a bit ;o))

 

 

Instead, we decided to warm up a little

 

by walking the trail back down to the parking area.

 

 

It was a steep, but pretty walk down the mountain.

 

 

At the bottom,

 

we took a little time to explore the Brasstown General Store

  

 

before heading down the road to our next adventure!!

We headed back the way we came and stopped back at the motorhome for lunch.

 

 

 

After lunch, we headed south on Rt. 11/19/129 about 7 miles to Neel’s Gap.

 

 

Neel’s Gap is the location of a historic building along the Appalachian Trail.

 

Mountain Crossings at Walasi-yi

 

 

From Wikipedia, 

“The Walasi-Yi Interpretive Center is a small stone building located along US 11/19/129 at Neel's Gap, Georgia, United States, on the eastern side of Blood Mountain. It is notable as the only place where the 2,175-mile-long Appalachian Trail passes through a man-made structure. It is currently the first mail-drop available to northbound thru-hikers that does not require one to leave the trail.

Originally a log structure built by a logging company, the building took its present form during the 1930s when it was rebuilt by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC). It served as a restaurant and inn until 1965, when it was abandoned. Soon after, the building was rented by an artist group who used it until 1969 when it was again left vacant. By the mid-1970s the building was slated for demolition, but a group of conservation-minded locals lobbied successfully for its inclusion on the National Register of Historic Places in 1977. Spared from destruction, the building served as an irregular store to hikers and tourists until 1983 when Jeff and Dorothy Hansen took over management of what became known as Mountain Crossings at Walasi-Yi. In the 1990s the stare was operated by Peggy and Justin. The building was then leased and operated by Winton Porter from 2001 to 2013. It is currently operated by Georganna Morton and Logan Seamon.

Currently, in addition to the store, the Walasi-Yi center offers hostel and cabin rentals. These rooms are at a premium in early spring when the vast majority of northbound thru-hikers are traveling through northern Georgia.”

 

Bottom floor on the left end of the building is the current hostel.

 

The Appalachian Trail (white blaze) passes through the building right next to the hostel.

  

View of Appalachian Trail directly behind the building. 

 

Looking back at the building as Bill walks through on the AT. 

 

 

This point on the AT is called Neel’s Gap.  Next point on trail is 5.5 miles to Tesnatee Gap.

 

It is in Raven Cliffs Wilderness Area of the Chattahoochee National Forest.

 

  

Directly behind the building is a picnic and viewing area. 

From here you get a spectacular view of Neel’s Gap!!

 

 

Continuing around the right side to the front of the building,

      you see the Appalachian Trail Sign everywhere:o))
 

 

Inside is a back-packers or thru-hikers dream!!

They provide all the services, equipment and information needed

 to help them make a successful trek to Maine.

 

Having hiked a short portion of the AT and meeting several thru-hikers during that hike,

it was fun to experience a place that is part of the Appalachian Trail History!!!

 

 

 

Heading back to the motorhome,

 

we saw the sign for Helton Creek Falls.

We still had plenty of time yet this afternoon so we made the right turn!!

 

The first half mile is on a narrow paved road through a neighborhood.

 

Then the road becomes dirt and gravel with huge pot holes. 

There is only room for one vehicle so passing is dicey:o((

 You really should have a 4 wheel drive vehicle to make this trip!!

 

But, we made to the parking area and headed down the trail to the falls.

  

  

No Bill, you don’t look like a tree… more like a bush;o))

 

Click on any photo to enlarge or hover your mouse on any photo for a description.

Heading down to the very pretty Lower Falls.

 

      

Then we went Up, Up, Up to the even prettier Upper Falls.           

It is a pretty place, but be very careful on the road to the falls!!!

  

We managed to make our way back the nasty road to the highway without a problem:o))

 Just before we got to our turn to Rivers Edge RV Park,

 

 we saw The Sunrise Grocery on the left and had to stop and check it out:o))

Fun way to end our first full day in the Georgia Mountains.

I’m sure we’re gonna like it here!!!