Appalachian Trip Pictures (56K Warning)

[gaterose]

The GF and I spent some time in the Appalachians, Blairsville, GA and Chattanooga, TN to be specific. We tried to see as much as we could in those few days and I thought I'd share a few pics with everyone.

A few are of the 4Runner, others are just favorites from the trip. Only a couple of "off road" pics so you're gonna be let down if that's all you want. The panoramas are clickable for higher resolution.

Here's where we stayed the first 3 nights in North GA.

Some exploring around Blairsville lead us to Brasstown Bald, the highest point in Georgia. It was a lame asphalt hike that was extremely steep and tiring, but the views were cool.

 

[gaterose]

Then we went to Vogel State Park and hiked down around the lake to the falls.

Wolf Creek Falls

Took some pics a colorful pull off

On the way to Helton Creek Falls, a few miles from Vogel

Lower Helton Creek Falls

Jessie and Me in front of the Upper Falls

It was dead when we went on Friday, but we went back on Saturday with some friends who drove up and it was crazy!! Tons of tourists.

Upper Helton Creek Falls

Helton Creek water crossing on the way back down the mountain

A second longer crossing… Got my feet soaked up to my calves to cross this before Jessie drove across it (for the pictures) but she was scared and hauled ass (and it was getting dark) so the pictures didn't come out well at all.

We then went to the grocery store and to eat at a pretty nice restaurant, all the while my jeans were soaked from the knee down and my shoes were full of water…

I originally sent those pics to a couple of friends and they said I should've turned the LEDs on so I got my buddy to shoot this when we crossed the creek the second time.

We also went to DeSoto Falls with our friends, but like Helton Creek it was very crowded and there were even some "photogs" out where they weren't supposed to be so we couldn't get many shots without them in it.

Here is a small fall that was right under where they were standing.

Upper DeSoto Falls (my friends were too lazy to hike back down to the lower falls after we got back to the trail junction..)

Sunday, we took the scenic route from Blairsville to Chattanooga via Cherokee County, NC. We stopped at Boyd's Gap Overlook to take a few pictures

And I made Jessie drive so I snapped some passenger seat roadway foliage shots.

 

[gaterose]

Lake Ocoee

After arriving in Chattanooga we went to Rock City and Ruby Falls, took this picture in the lot at Ruby Falls when were buying tickets.

On the way to Rock City

Rock City FD

Then back to Ruby Falls

And the last stop before leaving town was the Tennessee Aquarium, where we both took a ton of pics.

Jellyfish are neat…

…even tiny ones

This little guy was hiding

Interesting cutaway of an ecosystem under a(n indoor) waterfall

Close-up penguin

In the butterfly garden

Many, many more pictures available on my flickr photostream and albums...el gaterose photostream…yes there are a lot

 

[CXS]

Nice Matt, thanks for sharing! I hope to make it down that way before too long.

 

[BucknutBob]

Some darn fine photography, friend! Puts me in mind of my old stomping grounds, back in Ohio (southeast section is nice and hilly, with gorges and such).

 

[momo.75]

Awesome pics!

 

[gaterose]

Thanks guys! I knew it was going to be pretty so I actually rented a wide angle lens (Sigma 10-20mm) for the trip.. That's also one of the reasons there are so many pics, had to test out the lens.

 

[Doozi]

As always Matt, an impressive collection of photos!! Thanks for sharing!

btw, I may have missed it, but did you ever update your output photos with all of your new LEDs? They look awesome!

 

[NorCal7]

Wow those pictures are awesome!! Seems like a great trip!

 

[mikebontoft]

very cool!

 

[c_mack9]

that's awesome. i went to chattanooga a couple of months ago, i really liked rock city and ruby falls but it rained a lot and we never found a good spot to hike. we didn't have enough dry daylight to explore like we wanted too. i can't wait to go back.

 

[jdkilroy]

Really nice photos Matt, Looks like you guys had a beautiful trip !

 

[Mytoy4]

WOW! Those are amazing shots. I would take that over the ocean any day. What a gorgeous place to be!

 

[4runnin83]

Awesome! You need a dog to take to the lake!!

 

[gaterose]

Thanks again guys! We had a terrific time and I agree Terri it was way better than the beach. I must admit I still prefer the Rockies over the Smokeys but a beautiful place nonetheless

Awesome! You need a dog to take to the lake!!

Oh I don't need a dog we have enough with our two, and a cat. We were pretty bummed that we couldn't take them but the pet deposit on the cabin and hotel would've put us too far over budget.

The little guy, Nixon, is almost getting too old (almost 14) to be hiking.

I really was sad we didn't get to take Josephine though...

 

[Pitbull410]

I notice you take a lot of trips around the country for trails and hikes. Any specific resources you use to plan your trips? Really looking to plan similiar trips as what you hav done also. Thanks!

 

[gaterose]

I notice you take a lot of trips around the country for trails and hikes. Any specific resources you use to plan your trips? Really looking to plan similiar trips as what you hav done also. Thanks!

Honestly I really just use google to search for the things I'm interested in when we go places... I'd like to say there's more planning involved but there really isn't.

 

[Nashvillerunner]

I know I am a little late but that seems like a great trip! Awesome pics and since I am in Nashville can you PM me more info on this trip. I would love to do this in the Spring and check out these sits. BTW....you have done an awesome job on your 4runner!

 

[gaterose]

Just saw your post Jason, I sent you an FB message. Just let me know what you wanna know.

And thanks for the compliment!