Georgia Traverse
The Georgia Traverse is a 300-400 mile long off-road journey through the North Georgia Mountains, created and put together by Mr. David Giguere at georgiaoverland.com.
95% of the trail is passable in 2WD by nearly any vehicle. 15 miles may require AWD and one small 50 yard section requires at least a stock a high-clearance vehicle.
January 2019
Chattooga River @ Burrells Ford Road
All rigs @ “Mountaintown Overlook”
Rigs: 2013 Chevrolet Silverado LS 4.8L
1989 Chevrolet K5 Blazer 5.7L
2016 Toyota Tacoma TRD Off-Road 3.5L
2008 Toyota Tacoma TRD-Off-Road 4.0L
2007 Toyota Tundra TRD Off-Road 5.7L
2006 Toyota Tacoma TRD Sport 4.0L
I contacted all of my friends from our high school days that owned a 4WD/AWD vehicle to see who would accompany me and tackle the first multi-day overland expedition for all of us. Because we were so new to this style of travel, there were obvious concerns for vehicle capabilities and damage, considering each and every vehicle had bone stock suspension and tires. To add to these worries, one driver volunteered his 2WD pickup for extra seating. When we left for the AL/GA border in January 2019, we had 5 rigs and 11 people. By nightfall at camp, it was 6 rigs, 15 people, and a dog.
Day 1
The first morning, we all met at the Rome, GA Walmart to get last minute supplies like walkie-talkies, ice for the coolers, and even a last minute sleeping bag. We then headed out for the west end of the GT at Johnson Cemetery Road. After a 15 minute delay from a lost member, we were finally putting rubber to the road on the Gaia tracks displayed by my phone. We expected this to be a fairly easy, relaxed day knowing that most of today’s ride would be pavement. The western portion of the GT crosses over I-75, which lays down a corridor of paved roads and nearly zero dirt for thru traffic.
However, a slight pucker moment happened anyway. But we were prepared. In the John’s Mountain WMA, on Forest Service 205, we realized my good friend in his 2016 Tacoma had a leaky tire. It was audible from his driver door and everyone began to silently panic. After further inspection, we determined it was just a hole with nothing in it. Whatever made it had come out again. I carry a basic tire plug kit with a driver, reamer, plugs, and wire cutters. I had the tire plugged in no time and aired him back up with the air compressor/jumpbox I store in my truck.
After an uneventful rest of the day, we entered the Chattahoochee National Forest and the Cohutta Wilderness, headed for camp. To our dismay, the campsite I picked was closed to vehicles and was designed for hikers. Because of our hungry stomachs and need of a campfire, we grudgingly unloaded our trucks and carried our gear to the field.
My friend in the Tundra had a GPS way-point saved marking the Ball Field Group Camp area up the road from Lake Conasauga, and was supposed to be there around the same time as us. But we waited and waited, and as night fell we finally saw a pair of headlights and heard the low rumble of his 5.7.
Day 2
When we woke at daybreak, it was a crisp 32 degrees. After the coffee people had their coffee and the tea people their tea, we packed up and started the southern loop around the Cohutta. In the interest of time, it was decided we were to stay in Georgia and bypass the route up into Tennessee.
The roads that day were very smooth and extremely scenic with too many waterfalls and vistas to count. I believe everyone left their trucks in 2HI as traction was very good. Sadly, our friend in the 2016 Tacoma had a previous commitment, and departed back home after a quick goodbye at the Toccoa Riverside Restaurant.
Despite the urge to spend money and have a sit down meal, we all opted to head for camp as light was fading. We found a perfect site right next to a pretty little creek that we could wash dishes in and that the dog would use for its unbroken amusement.
Day 3
Today we all had one goal: get to Tray Mountain.
I did my research before this trip, and determined we did NOT need 35 inch tires, lift kits, etc. The biggest tires on the trip were 33 inches, two rigs had a locking rear differential, and we had one winch. I figured we had plenty of capability, if not too much. I had determined through my research that the only area we would even have to engage low-range (4lo) would be Tray Mountain, that was known for sizable ruts and washouts. We all wanted to get to this section, but we were also nervous to test our rigs.
Our friend in the Tundra also had prior responsibilities he had to attend to and decided he would get off of the Traverse at dark to head home. So we tried our best to pack up, leave camp, and stay on the trail. We managed to cover plenty of miles but were “held up” by a scene we couldn’t miss.
Unfortunately, we did not make it to the rutted out section we had all seen on Youtube. By nightfall we were 2-3 miles up Tray Mountain Road. The Tundra and its passengers headed back to their respective homes and the remaining 4 vehicles set up camp.
Day 4
In the morning, we were all anxious to get on the trail and find the section we had all heard about. It was slow moving. There were lots of rocks and small boulders that we needed to crawl over. It wasn’t the Rubicon Trail, but anything over 2 mph would result in a popped tire.
We turned a corner and there they were, the culverts. As I eased my way in to first of three obstacles, I radioed in and asked for a spot. Traction was fine with 4lo, BFG KO2 tires, and a rear Eaton locker, but my truck is low to the ground. I’ve got 32 inch tires and a stock suspension. My friend spotting warned that I was going to lay the frame on the dirt if I continued so I put the emergency brake on, threw the shifter into P, and made sure the truck wasn’t going anywhere.
Once it was safe to hop out, I started to help stack rocks under the rear wheels as well as a Maxsa traction board. These gave me a little more clearance to help me up and over the little dirt mound. Perhaps with a better line, I could’ve avoided this.
The next to descend was the ’89 K5. He drove it with zero rock building or traction boards and had not a scrape anywhere.
Next was who our nerves were worried for. Our brave friend who had his 2WD Tacoma with no lockers, 32 inch tires, and a stock suspension. It took roughly 30-45 minutes of rock building, traction boards, and pushing (safely, not behind wheel w/traction board), but he made it down without a lick of damage.
The red Tacoma made it look like there wasn’t a rut in sight. He drove it with no hesitation and made it down in about 47 seconds like it was a time trial. Or perhaps he had learned something from watching 3 vehicles go first….
After 5 hours of driving for that day, we made it to the bottom of Tray Mountain Road, an astonishing 15 miles traveled. As most of us hadn’t used a toilet or shower in 4 days, we opted to cut it short, and head home. Determined to finish the GT, our friend with the 2016 Tacoma and I would soon complete the Traverse, starting at the east end, and riding the trail to end of Tray Mountain, where we had ended our first trip.
Finishing the GT: SC-Tray Mountain
Our friend in the 2016 TRD Tacoma was not happy that he only got to drive 25% of the trail our first run, so he was ecstatic to join me on the next one. To complete the Traverse we started at Burrell’s Ford Road on the SC/GA border, formed by the Chattooga River.
Most of these roads were also very smooth and completely suitable for 2HI, any Subaru, or similar small SUV. We stopped in the town of Dillard, GA to get doughnuts and ice at the Piggly Wiggly in town. As we continued through the mountains, we saw a Jeep trail that went up a little knoll to the right. And when I say Jeep trail, I mean Jeep trail. My truck’s frame would’ve scraped up each and every bit of dirt and leaves it could, so I got out the walkie-talkie and spotted my friend up in his Tacoma. With good clearance on his truck, and a shorter wheel base, he experienced minimal scraping. After he turned around, he got to play with his crawl control for the first time, and coasted back down the steep, rutted hill with almost no use of the brakes. He quickly became very proud of his newly acquired weapon of a truck and its capabilities, and for good reason.
We were mainly excited to get to Charlie’s Creek Road, where we knew there was a famous water fording spot through the Tallulah River. I’m sure we could’ve gotten through the river in 2HI just fine, but just in case I hopped on the radio to let my partner know I was going to use 4HI.
After a nice truck bath thanks to the Tallulah, we made for camp. At the intersection of Charlie’s Creek and a creek called Flat Branch was a beautiful little campsite that we immediately claimed.
Our thermometers read 30 degrees as the sun rose, and before we knew it, a fire and a mess of bacon were ready to go. After we were human again, we set off to finish the Traverse……after we went across the Tallulah one more time!
There were half a dozen small creek crossings like the one near the campsite and a few rutted out sections, but nothing that truly required a low range transfer case. We were forced to bypass Dicks Creek Road due to a closure and made our way to Helen, GA where the convoy left off the previous trip. After a lunch at world famous Wendy’s, we headed home, excited for next time.
