Georgia Traverse Day 1 - Jeep Overlanding Nantahala National Forest - Dillard House - Charlies Creek

Recently, I lead a group of Jeep overlanders on a 4 day adventure across North Georgia, a route called The Georgia Traverse. This is a route plotted by www.georgiaoverland.com and posted on their website for anyone to enjoy.
When I posted the original 4 day adventure video in it's entirety, it ended up being over 1 hr long. I was asked by many to break the video into 4 separate days and reposting as a Georgia Traverse collection.
This is Day 1. Starting on the East side of the route where South Carolina and Georgia meet, we meet up with several Jeepers ready to take this challenge with us. 2 hours in, we just had to stop at the famous Dillard House for authentic country southern cooking.
Shortly after leaving the Dillard House, we come into one of the more popular trails in North Georgia, Charlie's Creek.... if you haven't been, it's defiantly worth the drive up there. With several water crossings and beautiful scenery, you won't be disappointed however it is likely going to be very busy.
Towards the end of Day 1, we make it to our first camp site just outside of Unicoi State Park near Helen Georgia. We take the time to walk through camp and take a look at some of the other Jeeper's camp set up, including a pretty cool RTT setup by Jackson Daily of Yellowpoint Off Road.
After a quick meal on the stove, we hung out by the fire before going to bed. It got pretty chilly so I fired up my Mr Heater Buddy and made it cook in the rig.
Check out Day 2 as we head to Coopers Creek.
Timestamp:
00:00 Georgia Traverse Day 1 - Nantahala National Forest - Dillard House - Charlie's Creek - Jeep Overlanding
01:14 Georgia Traverse Trail Head
04:40 The Dillard House
05:55 Charlie's Creek
08:00 Overlanding Camp Unicoi State Park
11:36 Walkaround Overlanding Setup Yellowpoint Off Road
16:13 Mr Heater Mr Buddy Propane Heater

[@BrionWhite]

I watched the video of the winch plate and winch install on your stock bumper. I've been watching for a follow up on your thoughts of the ruggedness of the Rock Hard winch plate. Pass or fail? I was going to do this install but really wanted to see it in action. I have noticed that you have gone to a aftermarket winch bumper now, making me thing that maybe the Rock Hard winch plate isn't the answer.

[@RoadRashOffRoad]

Hey Brion…. Thank you for following the channel. So the Rock Hard winch plate is totally a PASS! I never once had an issue with this and feel super comfortable with its secure setup / install on the jeep. 2 thumbs up
I ended up going with an aftermarket front bumper for a couple of reasons:
1. Added recovery points. Obviously the stock bumper does not have any recovery points other than the top tow hooks. I felt it necessary to have actual safe recovery points
2. Stinger - besides the fact it looks cool, the stinger helps keep my front end off trees in front of me (I’ve actually used it 😂)
3. GoRhino approached me and with a partnership / ambassadorship to sponsor their product. Even after installing and using it, it’s still the best bumper I’ve ever seen.

[@Subie_OffXroad]

Coordinates of camp sites would be awesome

[@RoadRashOffRoad]

The first 2 camp sites were “ok”. Depending on the size of your group, I honestly think you could probably find a better option. Since our group was 6+, we were limited in finding something large.
However the last site in the Cohutta called The Ball Field is well worth it. Here are the coordinates:
Latitude : 34.855800
Longitude : -84.657989

[@gilbertfig437]

Thanks for producing this amazing series. What are ñame or locations of the campgrounds? I been trying to locate them within the route. Thanks in advance.

[@RoadRashOffRoad]

Some of the locations didn’t have names. But the 2 that do is Jacks River Falls and The Ballfield in the Cohutta

[@JuanDanielY]

Hey Kevin, do you think it’s safe to sleep with Mr. buddy heating? My plan is use it for my winter camping days but not sure about what would be the safety way to use it, do you have recommendations? Thanks in advance.

[@RoadRashOffRoad]

Hey Juan… I have done a fair bit of research on this. I have watched many other TH-cam videos in which they tested the air quality in a closed room with the Mr Buddy and it was clear. I’ve called Mr Buddy and they told me yes, you can. So when I travel, I sleep in the back if my Jeep with my Mr Buddy all the time with no problems.
The unit I have only last about 6 hrs with the Mr Buddy on consistently (on low setting) but in a small closed space like the back of my Jeep, it heats up fast and really warm. The low setting is all you will need.

[@juangarcia7282]

Those aren’t pellet guns lol

[@RoadRashOffRoad]

I assure you, those are pellet guns. The “non pellet guns” were on the persons.
I felt the need to display this disclaimer so people know we aren’t carelessly leaving firearms laying on tables.
The real firearms are safely cared for at all times. 👍🏼