Camping at Fort Mountain State Park (North Georgia) ~2800' Elevation

[UGADawg96]

For the last three years, we've only towed/camped in North Florida and Central Georgia. This past week we finally took our PB & TT to higher elevation. We went up to Fort Mountain State Park in North Georgia close to the TN border for a few days before heading closer for the game in Athens for the weekend. The campground is an over 2000 foot climb in just under 6 miles. Locked out 5+ to keep the RPMs over 2500 and occasionally 4 to prevent boost as much as possible. The Garmin RV GPS said it was doable and Google street view didn't look too crazy. But driving up that hill, my sphincter had a tighter grip than Clint Eastwood has on his firearm. For the drive back down, bumped up the gain from 6.5 to 7.5, locked out 5+, set cruise at 25mph, and let the engine/computer hold speed. Descended the mountain safely and under control and never touched the brake pedal.

Getting out of the hot humid 90s from FL and into the cool 70s during the day and 50s at night was amazing. Leaves were changing colors and falling. Nothing is better than getting offline and enjoying fires with coffee/breakfast and after dinner. We did a day trip over to Ellijay. One of the coolest things was seeing wild bears for the first time ever camping in Georgia for the past 30 years. We actually saw three of them along with signs around the area that say, "Do not pet the fluffy dogs" LOL

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[FaaWrenchBndr]

Certainly a nice place……been a few years since we have been there

 

[Cobraman428]

For the last three years, we've only towed/camped in North Florida and Central Georgia. This past week we finally took our PB & TT to higher elevation. We went up to Fort Mountain State Park in North Georgia close to the TN border for a few days before heading closer for the game in Athens for the weekend. The campground is an over 2000 foot climb in just under 6 miles. Locked out 5+ to keep the RPMs over 2500 and occasionally 4 to prevent boost as much as possible. The Garmin RV GPS said it was doable and Google street view didn't look too crazy. But driving up that hill, my sphincter had a tighter grip than Clint Eastwood has on his firearm. For the drive back down, bumped up the gain from 6.5 to 7.5, locked out 5+, set cruise at 25mph, and let the engine/computer hold speed. Descended the mountain safely and under control and never touched the brake pedal.

Getting out of the hot humid 90s from FL and into the cool 70s during the day and 50s at night was amazing. Leaves were changing colors and falling. Nothing is better than getting offline and enjoying fires with coffee/breakfast and after dinner. We did a day trip over to Ellijay. One of the coolest things was seeing wild bears for the first time ever camping in Georgia for the past 30 years. We actually saw three of them along with signs around the area that say, "Do not pet the fluffy dogs" LOL

Good Info UGADawg96! I was wondering how that climb was. We have gone to Unicoi a few times and was thinking about going to Ft. Mountain SP sometime. Looks like you had a great time..

 

[powerboatr]

For the last three years, we've only towed/camped in North Florida and Central Georgia. This past week we finally took our PB & TT to higher elevation. We went up to Fort Mountain State Park in North Georgia close to the TN border for a few days before heading closer for the game in Athens for the weekend. The campground is an over 2000 foot climb in just under 6 miles. Locked out 5+ to keep the RPMs over 2500 and occasionally 4 to prevent boost as much as possible. The Garmin RV GPS said it was doable and Google street view didn't look too crazy. But driving up that hill, my sphincter had a tighter grip than Clint Eastwood has on his firearm. For the drive back down, bumped up the gain from 6.5 to 7.5, locked out 5+, set cruise at 25mph, and let the engine/computer hold speed. Descended the mountain safely and under control and never touched the brake pedal.

Getting out of the hot humid 90s from FL and into the cool 70s during the day and 50s at night was amazing. Leaves were changing colors and falling. Nothing is better than getting offline and enjoying fires with coffee/breakfast and after dinner. We did a day trip over to Ellijay. One of the coolest things was seeing wild bears for the first time ever camping in Georgia for the past 30 years. We actually saw three of them along with signs around the area that say, "Do not pet the fluffy dogs" LOL

Whoooo hoooo
Thanks for sharing

 

[Big Dog Daddy]

What a beautiful place. Great getaway!

 

[HammaMan]

I've got family in Elijay, ended up meeting up with one of them forum members for some parts and it was quite convenient to get a visit in up there. It's pretty crazy if you ever catch the smokies earning their name with what appears to be little forest fires everywhere when conditions are just right.

 

[Eskram]

I've got family in Elijay, ended up meeting up with one of them forum members for some parts and it was quite convenient to get a visit in up there. It's pretty crazy if you ever catch the smokies earning their name with what appears to be little forest fires everywhere when conditions are just right.

I'll be in the Elijay area (again) for Thanksgiving, assuming the cabin we rented is still ok after the storms.

I do love the area though. We've been just about every year since 2019. Last year was the first time took the PB, and she did great.

Blue Ridge, from a few years ago.

 

[UGADawg96]

I'll be in the Elijay area (again) for Thanksgiving, assuming the cabin we rented is still ok after the storms.

I do love the area though. We've been just about every year since 2019. Last year was the first time took the PB, and she did great.

Blue Ridge, from a few years ago.

A few years ago we used slidingrockcabins.com to get a dog friendly cabin rental in Cherry Log, which is half way between Ellijay and Blue Ridge. It had an amazing view and we spent time in both towns.

 

[Eskram]

A few years ago we used slidingrockcabins.com to get a dog friendly cabin rental in Cherry Log, which is half way between Ellijay and Blue Ridge. It had an amazing view and we spent time in both towns.

We take our dogs every time, though I lie about the number and their weights when I book. We leave it better than we got it, so have never had issues or extra charges.

 

[Aron]

What a beautiful location; thanks for sharing it!

And it appears to have weathered Hurricane Helene fairly well--I was concerned that that whole area had been hit as badly as western NC was.

 

[Forumlurker24]

Did you use the powerboost to power the trailer? How much fuel did it use?

 

[ReverendQ]

For the last three years, we've only towed/camped in North Florida and Central Georgia. This past week we finally took our PB & TT to higher elevation. We went up to Fort Mountain State Park in North Georgia close to the TN border for a few days before heading closer for the game in Athens for the weekend. The campground is an over 2000 foot climb in just under 6 miles. Locked out 5+ to keep the RPMs over 2500 and occasionally 4 to prevent boost as much as possible. The Garmin RV GPS said it was doable and Google street view didn't look too crazy. But driving up that hill, my sphincter had a tighter grip than Clint Eastwood has on his firearm. For the drive back down, bumped up the gain from 6.5 to 7.5, locked out 5+, set cruise at 25mph, and let the engine/computer hold speed. Descended the mountain safely and under control and never touched the brake pedal.

Getting out of the hot humid 90s from FL and into the cool 70s during the day and 50s at night was amazing. Leaves were changing colors and falling. Nothing is better than getting offline and enjoying fires with coffee/breakfast and after dinner. We did a day trip over to Ellijay. One of the coolest things was seeing wild bears for the first time ever camping in Georgia for the past 30 years. We actually saw three of them along with signs around the area that say, "Do not pet the fluffy dogs" LOL

Beautiful. I am contemplating a get away from SoCal in my PB.
PS DO NOT hold your Model 29 too tightly Clint. It'll rip the webbing 'tween you thumb and pointer if you do.

 

[UGADawg96]

Did you use the powerboost to power the trailer? How much fuel did it use?

Negative. Camp sites had power and water.

 

[Beaux]

You were right up the road from me. I live less than 40 minutes from there and was in Chatsworth working today. North Georgia truly is a special place!

 

[wrgrimes]

Takes me home!
I'm from nearby Dalton, GA and love the mountains of north GA, TN, and NC.
My brother taught me to drive with a manual transmission on Fort Mountain.

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