Off Roading at North Georgia Jeepin

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Area: Blairsville → Brasstown Bald → Richard Russell Scenic Hwy → Vogel → Neel Gap → Suches → Wolfpen Gap
Time: 1–3 days (flexible)
Difficulty: Easy to moderate (paved mountain roads, tight curves)

Sunrise Grocery

Take a photo of your Jeep at Sunrise Grocery, the center point of the two Dragon Eyes loops.

Jeep-Friendly Snack Stop

• Sunrise Grocery — Boiled peanuts, cider, fried pies, local goods
  (October bonus: mention Dragon Eyes and receive a free apple per person) 

Brasstown Bald

Drive up toward Brasstown Bald. Photograph your Jeep near the base or parking area.

Optional Add-On

• Shuttle or hike to the summit observation deck for a 360° mountain view. 

Unicoi Gap

Capture a photo where the Appalachian Trail crosses the road.

Optional Short Stops

• Picnic at Andrews Cove 
• Short AT stroll or longer Rocky Mountain summit hike (advanced) 

Richard Russell Scenic Highway

Stop at any overlook and take a ridge-line Jeep photo.

Optional Hikes

• Dukes Creek Falls (1.9 miles RT) 
• Raven Cliff Falls (5 miles RT) 

Vogel State Park

Photograph your Jeep with Lake Trahlyta and the mountain backdrop.

Optional

• Waterfall trail, picnic by the creek, paddleboats, or trout fishing. 

Helton Creek Falls

Short family-friendly walk to capture both waterfalls from the platform.

Neel Gap
Mountain Crossings

Find the Appalachian Trail breezeway and snap a Jeep photo at the only spot where the AT passes through a building.

Jeep-Friendly Store Stop

• Mountain Crossings — Stickers, maps, gear, gifts, hot drinks. 

Woody Gap
Suches

Photo at Woody Gap overlook, then another Jeep photo in Suches.

Optional Food Stops

• Two Wheels of Suches — Outdoor seating, Jeep-friendly crowd 
• Mountain Top Lodge Café — Seasonal hours 

Wolfpen Gap Road
Sosebee Cove

Finish with a Jeep photo under the dense canopy of Sosebee Cove.

Submit:

1. Sunrise Grocery start photo 
2. Brasstown Bald or Jack’s Gap photo 
3. Richard Russell Scenic Hwy overlook photo 
4. Vogel State Park photo 
5. Neel Gap / AT breezeway photo 
6. Final Wolfpen Gap or Sosebee Cove photo 

Bonus Points

• Sunset at Lordamercy Cove 
• Waterfall hike documentation 
• Stewardship moment: pick up 3 pieces of trash at any overlook 

Sunrise Grocery
(Approx. address reference: US-19/129, Blairsville area)

• Begin at Sunrise Grocery on US-19/129 just south of Blairsville. 
• Reset your trip odometer here if desired; this is the center point of both loops. 

1. From Sunrise Grocery, drive north on US-19/129 for approximately 0.5 miles. 
2. Turn RIGHT onto GA-180 (this is Jack’s Gap Road). 
3. Continue on GA-180 as it winds through Choestoe Valley and begins climbing. 
4. After several miles, look for signage for Brasstown Bald. 
5. Turn LEFT onto Brasstown Bald Road. 
6. Follow the paved, narrow mountain road to the upper parking area near the summit. 

📍 Brasstown Bald Stop
Brasstown Bald

• Parking available near the top. 
• Optional shuttle or paved summit trail. 

1. Descend Brasstown Bald Road back to GA-180. 
2. Turn LEFT to continue on GA-180 (back side of Jack’s Gap). 
3. Follow GA-180 until it dead-ends. 
4. Turn RIGHT onto GA-75 South toward Helen. 

📍 Unicoi Gap / Appalachian Trail Crossing
Unicoi Gap

1. Continue on GA-75 South as the road climbs and twists. 
2. Pass directly through Unicoi Gap, where the Appalachian Trail crosses the road. 
3. Continue downhill toward Helen briefly. 

1. From GA-75, turn RIGHT onto GA-75 Alternate. 
2. Drive a short distance. 
3. Turn RIGHT onto GA-348, signed as Richard Russell Scenic Highway. 

📍 Richard Russell Scenic Highway
Richard Russell Scenic Highway

• Multiple overlooks and trailheads along this section. 
• Dukes Creek Falls and Raven Cliff Falls access points are clearly signed. 

1. Continue on GA-348 until you cross back toward Union County. 
2. Stop at overlooks, including Lordamercy Cove, for photos. 
3. Stay on GA-348 until it ends at GA-180. 
4. Turn LEFT onto GA-180. 
5. Drive approximately 1 mile. 
6. Turn LEFT onto US-19/129. 

You will pass Sunrise Grocery again—this marks the completion of Loop One.

1. Continue north on US-19/129. 
2. Watch for signage for Vogel State Park. 
3. Turn LEFT into Vogel State Park entrance. 

📍 Vogel State Park
Vogel State Park

• Lake Trahlyta is straight ahead once inside the park. 

1. Exit Vogel State Park back onto US-19/129 North. 
2. Continue north a short distance. 
3. Look for signs for Helton Creek Falls on the LEFT. 
4. Turn LEFT onto Helton Creek Road (paved turning to dirt). 
5. Follow road to the parking area. 

📍 Helton Creek Falls
Helton Creek Falls

1. Return to US-19/129 North. 
2. Continue climbing toward Neel Gap. 
3. Drive directly into Mountain Crossings at Neel Gap. 

📍 Neel Gap / Mountain Crossings
Neel Gap
Mountain Crossings

1. From Neel Gap, continue south briefly on US-19/129, then follow signs toward GA-60. 
2. Turn RIGHT onto GA-60 toward Suches. 
3. Drive approximately 3.5 miles to Woody Gap. 

📍 Woody Gap Overlook
Woody Gap

1. Continue descending on GA-60. 
2. Enter the community of Suches. 

📍 Suches

1. In Suches, turn RIGHT onto GA-180 (Wolfpen Gap Road). 
2. Follow GA-180 through dense forest and tight curves. 
3. Pass Lake Winfield Scott access areas. 
4. Drive through Sosebee Cove—noted for canopy views. 
5. Continue descending until GA-180 brings you back beside Vogel State Park, completing the second loop. 

📍 Wolfpen Gap / Sosebee Cove Finish
Wolfpen Gap Road
Sosebee Cove

Full Loop:
Sunrise Grocery → Jack’s Gap → Brasstown Bald → Unicoi Gap → Richard Russell Scenic Hwy → Sunrise Grocery → Vogel → Neel Gap → Woody Gap → Suches → Wolfpen Gap → Vogel