GA Gold Trip - Oct 15-21 2026

Emergency

Who	Number	When
Emergency	911	Ask for Union County. Give the coordinates below, not a trail name.
Union General Hospital, Blairsville	(706) 745-2111	Nearest hospital to Vogel.
Union County Sheriff	706-439-6066	Non-911 line; they run ground search in Union County.
Vogel State Park office	706-745-2628	8 AM-5 PM. Overnight permit question and the walk-in site.
Blue Ridge Ranger District (USFS)	706-745-6928	Road and trail status. New number confirmed on the forest's own alerts page, March 12, 2026.

On the hike there is no cell signal to count on. Signal is reliable at Vogel, in Blairsville and on Brasstown Bald. It is not reliable at WOLF-X, at either camp, or on Roaring Fork Trail. The plan for a real problem is: one person walks out to the nearest road and drives for help, while the rest stay with the casualty at a coordinate from the table below.

What to say on the call: "Union County, Chattahoochee National Forest, near Vogel State Park." Then read the decimal coordinates digit by digit. Then the nearest road: FS 107 for night 1 and the way in, Bowers Road / FS 298 below Owltown Gap for night 2 and the way out.

Nearest hospital: Union General, Blairsville - about 25 minutes from Vogel, about 40 from WOLF-X. Nearest road to CAMP-U: about 670 m, across a 500 ft slope - it is faster to walk down the creek 0.7 mi to where the road starts.

Place	Coordinates	Note
Vogel State Park, walk-in site P (base camp)	34.765883, -83.925416	7485 Vogel State Park Rd, Blairsville GA 30512. Park office 8 AM-5 PM, park open 7 AM-10 PM.
Coosa Backcountry Trailhead (Vogel)	34.7638, -83.9263	Where the hike could be exited on foot to the park.
WOLF-X - FS 107 / West Fork Wolf Creek crossing	34.78632, -83.92485	Walked in from the Vogel trailhead over Burnett Gap, 3.37 mi (changed 2026-10-17). Last point a vehicle could reach on the way in, but no truck is left here.
Calf Stomp Gap (CBT / FS 108 / Roaring Fork Trail)	34.78595, -83.95356	The junction both hike days pass through. FS 108 drops north from here.
Calf Stump Branch camp - NIGHT 1 (Sat)	34.78244, -83.95858	About 400 m from the nearest road.
CAMP-U - NIGHT 2 (Sun), upper East Fork Coosa Creek	34.79056, -83.98457	No road reaches it. Nearest road point about 670 m away across a 500 ft slope.
LOWER reach - the last pan (Mon)	34.7935, -83.98112
Where the road starts, East Fork Coosa Creek	34.79824, -83.97825	Duncan Ridge Conn begins here.
Duncan Ridge Conn / Bowers Road junction	34.80137, -83.96678
BOWERS-FS - truck 2 (Bowers Road / FS 298, first Forest Service ground)	34.80382, -83.95267	Truck 2 is staged here Friday evening, 0.68 mi down Bowers Road from Owltown Gap.
Owltown Gap (Bowers Road leaves the paved Owltown Rd)	34.81143, -83.94952	Residential bend, no lot. Truck 2 is not left here.

No personal phone numbers are on this page: it is public. Everyone's numbers go on paper in each truck and with the person at home.

Day by day, with the clock — Oct 15–21

Times run forward from each day's start using the leg minutes in map/data/days.json, held back where the Rundown commits to a clock time (Thursday dinner and the Brasstown Bald drive, Friday's 10 AM mine tour). Gaps show as slack rows. It is a plan, not a schedule — on the hike days the legs really do run back to back, so those times are the tight case. Sunrise and sunset are for Vogel (research/sun-times.json, fetched 2026-10-08).

2026-10-15 — Arrive, set camp, Helton Creek Falls, stargazing at Brasstown Bald

sunrise 7:40 AM, sunset 7:02 PM, dark 7:26 PM · 80 min driving · 0.3 mi on foot

Time	What	Leg	Takes
1:00 PM	camp	Set up base camp at Vogel State Park (first night — more tents/gear than a backcountry camp)	75 min
2:15 PM	car	Vogel to the Helton Creek Falls trailhead	13 min, 3.9 mi
2:28 PM	walk	Walk in to Helton Creek Falls (lower and upper falls) Chattahoochee National Forest day-use site, about 20 min from Vogel on Helton Creek Road (FS 118, gravel, passable in a truck). Steps and boardwalk to a lower and an upper falls. Replaces the Vogel lake-loop walk: Lake Trahlyta is drained for dam repairs and the Lake Trahlyta Loop Trail and waterfall are CLOSED (gastateparks.org/Vogel, re-fetched 2026-10-08). No panning: not checked for legality here and it is a busy day-use site.	5 min, 0.13 mi, +59 ft
2:33 PM	stop	Look at the falls Chattahoochee National Forest day-use site, about 20 min from Vogel on Helton Creek Road (FS 118, gravel, passable in a truck). Steps and boardwalk to a lower and an upper falls. Replaces the Vogel lake-loop walk: Lake Trahlyta is drained for dam repairs and the Lake Trahlyta Loop Trail and waterfall are CLOSED (gastateparks.org/Vogel, re-fetched 2026-10-08). No panning: not checked for legality here and it is a busy day-use site.	30 min
3:03 PM	walk	Walk back out to the trailhead	5 min, 0.13 mi
3:08 PM	car	Helton Creek Falls back to Vogel	13 min, 3.9 mi
3:21 PM	camp	Downtime at camp: rest after the drive	90 min
4:51 PM	wait	Slack — nothing scheduled (119 min)	119 min
6:50 PM	meal	Dinner at camp	60 min
7:50 PM	car	Evening: Vogel to Brasstown Bald parking lot	27 min, 13.1 mi
8:17 PM	stop	Stargazing at Brasstown Bald (highest point in Georgia) Explore Georgia: "The parking lot is open at night, and the lights from the visitors center are turned off." After-hours fee $6 per adult (Forest Service). No shuttle after 5 PM: steep 0.6 mile paved walk to the summit. No water; restrooms not listed. Gate closes in bad weather. Gate hour after dark not confirmed. Waxing crescent moon (sets mid-evening). Warm layers, red headlamps, chairs. Backup: Hogpen Gap overlook on GA-348.	90 min
9:47 PM	car	Brasstown Bald back to Vogel	27 min, 13.2 mi
10:14 PM	Done — night at Vogel State Park — base camp

Thursday afternoon is a pick-one, not a fixture (Jordan, 2026-10-08). All three work in the time above; the timeline shows Helton Creek Falls because it is the one on the mapped route:

Helton Creek Falls — 13 min drive, 0.13 mi of steps and boardwalk, a lower and an upper falls.
DeSoto Falls — about 10 min, open 24 h, two or three falls off one easy loop.
Sosebee Cove Scenic Area — about 10 min, old-growth cove, short loop, open year round.

Hours, cost and a maps link for each are in the Playground tab. Brasstown Bald after dinner is separate and still on.

2026-10-16 — Dahlonega: mine tour, lunch, pan Yahoola Creek

sunrise 7:41 AM, sunset 7:01 PM, dark 7:25 PM · 130 min driving

Time	What	Leg	Takes
8:30 AM	meal	Breakfast at camp	40 min
9:10 AM	car	Vogel to Consolidated Gold Mine	37 min, 23.9 mi
9:47 AM	stop	Underground mine tour + flume panning	120 min
11:47 AM	car	Consolidated Gold Mine to downtown Dahlonega (lunch)	3 min, 0.9 mi
11:50 AM	meal	Lunch in downtown Dahlonega — pick a spot on the square	60 min
12:50 PM	car	Downtown Dahlonega to Yahoola Creek Park	7 min, 1.9 mi
12:57 PM	walk	Parking to Yahoola Creek — path	5 min
1:02 PM	pan	Pan Yahoola Creek	120 min
3:02 PM	car	Yahoola Creek Park back to Vogel	41 min, 25.2 mi
3:43 PM	meal	Dinner at camp	60 min
4:43 PM	car	Evening: stage truck 2 at BOWERS-FS on Bowers Road, 0.68 mi below Owltown Gap (both trucks)	21 min, 9.4 mi
5:04 PM	car	BOWERS-FS back to Vogel (truck 1)	21 min, 9.4 mi
5:25 PM	Done — night at Vogel State Park — base camp

2026-10-17 — Walk from Vogel over Burnett Gap, pan West Fork Wolf Creek, over Calf Stomp Gap, camp at Calf Stump Branch

sunrise 7:42 AM, sunset 6:59 PM, dark 7:24 PM · 6.5 mi on foot

Time	What	Leg	Takes
7:30 AM	meal	Breakfast at camp (Vogel)	40 min
8:10 AM	walk	Site P to the Coosa Backcountry Trailhead Backcountry camping on the Coosa Trail is BY PERMIT, first come-first served (gastateparks.org/Vogel/Trails, fetched 2026-09-21). Get it at the Visitor Center before walking out. Truck 1 sits in the Vogel trailhead lot on a ParkPass; whether multi-day overnight parking there is allowed is UNCONFIRMED (same desk, same question).	5 min, 0.15 mi, +20 ft
8:15 AM	walk	Trailhead up to Burnett Gap (Coosa Backcountry Trail, green blaze) Bail-out at Burnett Gap: the Burnett Creek Trail drops north 1.86 mi to Burnett Creek Road (FS 261), a forest road a truck can reach — mapped path only, condition UNCONFIRMED. Quickest way off the ridge on the Vogel side.	35 min, 1.02 mi, +469 ft
8:50 AM	walk	Burnett Gap down to WOLF-X, the West Fork Wolf Creek / FS 107 crossing	65 min, 2.35 mi, +194 ft
9:55 AM	pan	Pan West Fork Wolf Creek at the crossing First water since the park: nothing on the ridge from the trailhead over Burnett Gap. Fill 2 L each here before the Calf Stomp climb.	120 min
11:55 AM	meal	Lunch at WOLF-X	30 min
12:25 PM	walk	WOLF-X up to Calf Stomp Gap via Locust Stake Gap (Coosa Backcountry Trail)	95 min, 2.54 mi, +1375 ft
2:00 PM	walk	Calf Stomp Gap on to Calf Stump Branch (Coosa Backcountry Trail)	20 min, 0.4 mi, +374 ft
2:20 PM	camp	Set up camp at Calf Stump Branch	45 min
3:05 PM	pan	Pan Calf Stump Branch (evening) Small headwater branch; October is the driest month: flow UNCONFIRMED. Fill 2 L each at WOLF-X before the climb.	90 min
4:35 PM	meal	Dinner at camp	60 min
5:35 PM	Done — night at Calf Stump Branch camp (Coosa Backcountry Trail, past Calf Stomp Gap)

2026-10-18 — Morning pan, Roaring Fork Trail, off-trail down to CAMP-U on East Fork Coosa Creek

sunrise 7:42 AM, sunset 6:58 PM, dark 7:22 PM · 2.8 mi on foot

Time	What	Leg	Takes
7:30 AM	meal	Breakfast at camp	40 min
8:10 AM	pan	Morning pan at Calf Stump Branch Small headwater branch; October is the driest month: flow UNCONFIRMED. Fill 2 L each at WOLF-X before the climb.	90 min
9:40 AM	camp	Break camp, pack up	45 min
10:25 AM	walk	Back up the trail to Calf Stomp Gap	15 min, 0.4 mi
10:40 AM	walk	Calf Stomp Gap west along Roaring Fork Trail to the leave-trail point	60 min, 1.88 mi, +528 ft
11:40 AM	meal	Trail lunch on the ridge	30 min
12:10 PM	walk	Off-trail drop to the creek (DROP-IN), then down the creek to CAMP-U OFF-TRAIL. No path: a straight line down the slope, about 0.4 mi and 550 ft of descent (steep, ~25%). Pick the line down the spur, not a hollow. Full packs: slow, poles out. The whole slope is Forest Service land.	40 min, 0.47 mi
12:50 PM	camp	Set up camp at CAMP-U	45 min
1:35 PM	pan	Pan at CAMP-U (first look at the bed) Headwater reach, about 1 creek-mile below the source at ~2,900 ft. October is the driest month: flow UNCONFIRMED. If the creek is a trickle here, move down to LOWER (34.7935,-83.9811) or on toward 34.7958,-83.9792 — still Forest Service, still 300 m from the road end.	90 min
3:05 PM	meal	Dinner at camp	60 min
4:05 PM	Done — night at CAMP-U (upper East Fork Coosa Creek, road-free reach)

2026-10-19 — Break camp, leave Vogel for home

sunrise 7:43 AM, sunset 6:57 PM, dark 7:21 PM

Time	What	Leg	Takes
8:00 AM	meal	Breakfast at camp (Vogel)	40 min
8:40 AM	camp	Break camp, pack out, load both trucks	90 min
10:10 AM	stop	Leave Vogel for home As built this day rolls at about 10:10 — breakfast 8:00, break camp 8:40, loaded and away by 10:10. To be GONE at 8:00 instead, start breakfast at 6:00 and break camp at 6:40. BEFORE YOU LEAVE: if truck 2 is still at BOWERS-FS on Bowers Road, collect it first — Vogel to BOWERS-FS is 21 min each way, so leaving at 8:00 means both trucks loaded and gone by about 9:00. Check site P for gear, the bear hang and the fire ring. Optional last pan on the way if the route goes through Dahlonega: Yahoola Creek Park, or the Chestatee River at the US-19 bridge — both already cleared as legal in RUNDOWN.md. Vogel checkout is noon; leaving Monday gives back the Tue and Wed nights.	30 min
10:40 AM	Done — night at Vogel State Park — base camp (walk-in site P)

2026-10-20 — Free day — no fixed route (see the Playground tab)

sunrise 7:44 AM, sunset 6:56 PM, dark 7:20 PM

Time	What	Leg	Takes
8:00 AM	meal	Breakfast at camp (Vogel)	40 min
8:40 AM	stop	Free day — pick from the Playground tab Nothing booked. The hub's Playground tab has the ready-made Tuesday plans (waterfall loop, Blairsville/Helen/Hiawassee, markets and festivals, a rain plan) and the hike-area layer if anyone wants another creek. Last full day: this is also the slack day if the hike runs long or the weather moves.	480 min
4:40 PM	meal	Lunch — out or at camp	45 min
5:25 PM	meal	Dinner at camp (Vogel)	60 min
6:25 PM	Done — night at Vogel State Park — base camp (walk-in site P)

2026-10-21 — Break camp, pack out, depart

sunrise 7:45 AM, sunset 6:55 PM, dark 7:19 PM

Time	What	Leg	Takes
8:00 AM	stop	Break camp, pack out, depart by noon	180 min
11:00 AM	Done — night at Vogel State Park — base camp

Weather, fire and roads — the link, and what was checked

Forecast for the hike area: NWS point forecast, 34.7908 -83.9190 (grid FFC 64,134 — the NWS calls it 9.3 km north of Blairsville). Vogel base camp forecast. Chattahoochee-Oconee alerts and closures.

Checked 2026-10-08, a week out:

Fire: "Campfire restriction lifted on the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest," May 4, 2026 — campfires allowed in designated areas. Fire danger on the page: Low. Georgia's summer burn ban runs May 1 to September 30, so it does not cover the trip. No ban covering Union County.
Roads: eight road closures are listed on the forest's alerts page and none of them is ours (FS 816, FS 218, FS 252, FS 76, FS 221, FS 18, FSR 55, plus Duncan Ridge Road FSR 39 which has reopened). Nothing on the page names FS 107, FS 108, FS 298 or the Duncan Ridge Connector — which is not the same as confirmed open. FS 107 is open first-hand (Jordan, 2026-10-05); the rest are still a ranger call.
Camping limit: Forest Order #08-03-00-25-02, 14 days in any 30. Two nights is fine.
Weather: on Oct 8 the NWS 7-day forecast does not reach Oct 15. First real look is about Oct 11–12; the one that counts is Oct 14. Nothing in this hub claims to know the trip's weather.
Vogel: Lake Trahlyta is drained for dam repairs; the lake loop trail and the waterfall are closed. Campsites and facilities are open.

Do this again on Oct 13 or 14: the forecast, the forest alerts page, and one call to Blue Ridge Ranger District (706-745-6928) for FS 108, FS 298 and the Duncan Ridge Connector. Full quotes and sources: research/conditions-2026-10-08.md.

What it costs at each gate

Where	Fee	Source and the catch
Georgia State Parks ParkPass (Vogel)	$10 per vehicle per day, $70 annual	gastateparks.org/ParkPass, 2026-10-08. Overnight guests pay it once per vehicle for the stay (gastateparks.org/Vogel) - so about $20 for two trucks for the week. Older notes in this project said $5; that is wrong.
Vogel walk-in tent site P	not published	Paid by the primary occupant at booking. The park page lists 18 walk-in sites and no rate. Reservations 1-800-864-7275. UNCONFIRMED.
Brasstown Bald, day use	$10 per person 16+, under 16 free	Includes the shuttle and visitor centre. Open 7 days 10 AM-5 PM; last shuttle up 4:30 PM, last return 5 PM. fs.usda.gov, 2026-10-08.
Brasstown Bald, after hours	$6.00 per person 16+	The published after-hours rate. The page does not say when after-hours starts, and whether the Spur 180 gate is open for late stargazing is still UNCONFIRMED (CALLS.md).
Consolidated Gold Mine, underground tour	adult $24.95, child 3-12 $15.95, under 3 free	consolidatedgoldmine.com, 2026-10-08. Open 10 AM-5 PM. Last tour time not published - call.
Consolidated Gold Mine, gold panning	"Starting at: $60"	No adult/child split published. Ask when booking the tour.
Dahlonega Gold Museum	adult $10.00, senior $7.50, youth 6-17 $7.00, 6 and under $3.50	gastateparks.org/DahlonegaGoldMuseum, 2026-10-08. Mon-Sat 9 AM-4:45 PM, Sun 10 AM-4:45 PM.
Coosa Backcountry Trail overnight permit	unknown	UNCONFIRMED. Still a CALLS.md item for Vogel, 706-745-2628.

Bring cash and a card. Two vehicles at the site means two ParkPasses. All prices fetched 2026-10-08 — re-check the two tours before paying for five people.

Water, camp by camp

When	Where the water is	The plan
Sat Oct 17, on the way in	West Fork Wolf Creek at WOLF-X (34.78632, -83.92485)	Fill 2 L each HERE, before the climb. There is nothing on the 1,375 ft climb to Calf Stomp Gap. Filter it; it is the creek you pan.
Sat night	Calf Stump Branch at the camp (34.78244, -83.95858)	Filter at camp. October flow is UNCONFIRMED - this is a small branch. If it is a trickle, you are still only 0.4 mi from Calf Stomp Gap and 2.5 mi from the trucks; drop back toward the gap and down FS 108 rather than ration.
Sun, on the ridge	Nothing. Carry it.	Roaring Fork Trail runs the ridge for 1.56 mi with no water. Leave Calf Stump with 2 L each, topped up after the morning pan.
Sun night and Mon morning	Upper East Fork Coosa Creek at CAMP-U (34.79056, -83.98457)	A headwater; October flow UNCONFIRMED. Written fallback: move camp down the creek toward 34.7958, -83.9792, where it gathers more. The LOWER reach (34.7935, -83.98112), 0.3 mi down, is the first place with reliably more water.
Mon, walking out	The creek to the road start, then nothing	Last fill at LOWER. Bowers Road out to truck 2 is 0.8 mi of road with no water. 1 L each is enough.
Every camp	Treat everything	Filter first, Aquatabs as the backup. Nobody drinks straight from a headwater.

Carry: 2 L each leaving camp Saturday morning (nothing on the ridge over Burnett Gap), 2 L each leaving WOLF-X and leaving Calf Stump Branch; 1 L each walking out Monday. Treat: filter, Aquatabs as backup. Both creek camps are headwaters and October flow is unconfirmed — that is the one thing on this hike most likely to force a change, and both fallbacks are above.

Base-camp meals, one row each

Ten meals at Vogel (the hike carries its own food — 2 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 2 dinners, in the Buy tab's Food section). The grocery run is one line in the Buy tab (about $140): eggs, bacon or sausage, bread, pancake mix, hot dogs and burgers, condiments, chips, foil, ice, coffee, snacks. Buy it in Blairsville (Ingles) on the way in Thursday; buy ice again Tuesday.

Day	Meal	What	Why that
Thu Oct 15	Dinner	Hot dogs or burgers on the grill, chips, a cooler drink	First night, everyone is tired from the drive. Nothing that needs a pan.
Fri Oct 16	Breakfast	Eggs and bacon or sausage, bread, coffee	Early-ish: Dahlonega is a 50 min drive and the mine opens at 10 AM.
Fri Oct 16	Lunch	Out, on the square in Dahlonega	Not pre-booked. Pick a spot when you are there.
Fri Oct 16	Dinner	Out in Dahlonega, or back at camp	Friday evening also has the truck staging and the hike pack-up - eat before that, not after.
Sat Oct 17	Breakfast	Pancakes or eggs, coffee. Big one.	The last cooked meal before 3 days of pouches. Eat at 6:30 AM: the trucks leave at 7:30.
Mon Oct 19	Dinner	THE BIG ONE - steaks or burgers, foil potatoes, everything left in the cooler	The group is back off the hike. This is the meal to plan for.
Tue Oct 20	Breakfast	Eggs, bacon, pancakes, coffee	Free day, no clock.
Tue Oct 20	Lunch	Out (Blairsville, Helen or Hiawassee) or sandwiches at camp	Depends which free-day plan the group picks - see the Playground tab.
Tue Oct 20	Dinner	Whatever is left, plus the spare Mountain House pouches	Buy ice again Tuesday if the cooler is warm.
Wed Oct 21	Breakfast	Coffee and whatever is quick - out by noon	Break camp first, eat second, or you will be rushing.

Food and coolers sleep in the truck cabs, not the tents — Vogel is developed ground and vehicle storage is the rule. Full counts: MASTER_LIST.md section 3.

Friday evening checklist — staging and pack-up

Friday is a full Dahlonega day and the night the hike gets set up. Dark is 7:25 PM. Stage the truck before dark; pack the packs after.

Before leaving for Dahlonega

Load the hike packs in the trucks - they get packed tonight, not Saturday morning
Check both trucks' fuel: Blairsville is the last gas before the forest roads

Evening, back at Vogel (before dark - dark is 7:25 PM)

Stage truck 2 at BOWERS-FS (34.80382, -83.95267): down Bowers Road / FS 298 from Owltown Gap 0.68 mi to the first Forest Service ground, not at the gap itself (houses, no lot). Drive back in truck 1
Leave nothing visible in truck 2; it sits there until Monday afternoon
Photograph truck 2's parking spot and the gate on the way out

Pack-up, at camp

Every person: blaze orange on the outside of the pack where you can reach it
Every person: 20-30 F bag, insulated pad, rain jacket, warm layer, headlamp, 1-2 L bottles
Food split and bagged by day; everything with a smell into the Ursack or the hang bag
Filter, Aquatabs, trowel, pan - one set checked off out loud
Phones charged, power banks charged, 3D map opened once offline to prove the tiles are there
One paper map and one compass in the group, not in the bottom of a pack

Told to someone at home

Send the route, the two camp coordinates and Monday's walk-out time
Give them an overdue time and what to do when it passes - see the emergency card above

Still open on Friday if the calls have not been made: the Coosa Backcountry Trail overnight permit, and whether Bowers Road (FS 298) and the Duncan Ridge Connector are open to vehicles and to public foot use. If the answer to Bowers Road is no, the walk-out changes: back the way you came, over Calf Stomp Gap and down the Coosa Backcountry Trail to Vogel on foot, and truck 2 does not need staging at all.

Stop	When	Where	Try
CAMP-U (night 2)	Sun evening, 1.5 h	34.79056, -83.98457	First look at the bed. Bedrock cracks across the current; the tail of each pool, not its deep middle. Headwater reach — October flow UNCONFIRMED.
CAMP-U (the long session)	Mon morning, 2 h	34.79056, -83.98457	Work the same reach properly: clean the cracks to the bottom, and the tight layer where gravel sits on bedrock.
LOWER reach — the last pan	Mon, 1.5 h	34.79350, -83.98112	Flatter water: the inside of bends and the upstream end of each gravel bar. Still 500 m above the road end.
Up to DROP-IN and the source	optional side trip	34.789506, -83.985797	The steep headwater, 350–720 ft/mi. 0.44 mi and +210 ft from camp on a daypack. In the Playground tab as a branch.

You see	It is	How to tell
Buttery yellow that looks the same in sun and in shade, and stays put when you swirl	Gold	Does not glitter, it glows. A pin dents or flattens it. Last thing to move in the pan.
Brassy, sharp-edged cubes or grains	Pyrite	Flashes as you turn the pan, goes dull in shade. Crumbles or powders under a pin.
Thin gold or silver flakes that flutter and float	Mica	Washes out easily, crushes to powder. Very common in these mountains.
Heavy black sand	Magnetite and other iron minerals	A good sign: you are in the heavy layer where gold also settles. A magnet lifts most of it.
Small dark red grains	Garnet	Also heavy, another good sign.
White quartz, especially rusty or full of holes	The rock gold comes from here	Rusty quartz gravel in the creek is worth panning below.

Everything within reach of Vogel, and a ready-made plan for each piece of free time. Nothing here is booked. 52 places, each with hours, cost, a phone number and a Google Maps link. quoted means the hours were read off that page on 2026-10-08; unconfirmed means check before you drive.

Ready-made plans

Thu Oct 15, afternoon and evening — Arrival afternoon: pick one walk, then stars recommended

Arrive 1 PM, set camp, then ONE short walk of three (Jordan, 2026-10-08: any of them is fine, pick on the day) — Helton Creek Falls, DeSoto Falls or Sosebee Cove. Back for dinner, then up to Brasstown Bald after dark.

When	What
1:00 PM	Arrive Vogel, check in, haul gear to walk-in site P map
2:00–3:15 PM	Set up base camp — tents, food hang, kitchen
3:30–4:45 PM	PICK ONE: Helton Creek Falls (13 min, 0.13 mi of steps and boardwalk, a lower and an upper falls) / DeSoto Falls (about 10 min, open 24 h, two falls off one easy loop) / Sosebee Cove Scenic Area (about 10 min, old-growth cove, short loop, free) map
6:50 PM	Dinner at camp (sunset 7:02 PM, fully dark 7:26 PM)
7:50 PM	Drive up to Brasstown Bald for the stars, 27 min. Warm layers, red headlamps, chairs. After-hours fee $6 per adult. map

Swap in:

Mountain Crossings at Neel Gap — 7 min, closes 5 PM. The AT outfitter in the stone building the trail runs through; good for a forgotten bit of gear map

Closed — do not drive out:

Trahlyta Falls and the Lake Trahlyta Loop Trail inside Vogel are CLOSED — the lake is drained for dam repairs (park page, re-fetched 2026-10-08)

Mon Oct 19, evening (back off the hike) — Off the hike: shower, then the biggest dinner of the trip recommended

The group walks out to Owltown Gap Monday afternoon and is back at Vogel by about 5 PM. Low effort on purpose: showers, then either cook the big base-camp dinner or drive 10 min for barbecue.

When	What
~5:00 PM	Both trucks back at Vogel. Showers, dry everything out, sort the pans and the concentrates
6:00 PM	Option A (recommended): cook the big dinner at camp — this is the meal MASTER_LIST sizes as the trip's large one
6:00 PM	Option B: Jim's Smokin' Que, 10 min, open 7 days 11 AM–8 PM — closest real food to the park map
evening	Final pan-out at camp: the shared concentrates bucket, a tub, a headlamp and the snuffer bottles

Swap in:

Hole in the Wall, 16 min, Tue–Sat to 8 PM (Mon closes 2 PM — check before driving) map
Sunrise Grocery, 7 min, closes 7 PM — ice, firewood, boiled peanuts on the way back in map

Tue Oct 20, all day — Tuesday A: the waterfall run (recommended) recommended

The free day's best use of a truck: three or four waterfalls, all drive-up with short walks, finishing in Helen. Everything on this list was open year-round when checked on 2026-10-08.

When	What
9:00 AM	DeSoto Falls — 10 min. Three falls off one easy loop, open 24 h map
11:00 AM	Raven Cliff Falls — 29 min. Longer walk in (the trail follows the creek past several drops) map
1:00 PM	Dukes Creek Falls — 40 min, day use only. Big one, good path map
3:00 PM	Anna Ruby Falls — 56 min. Closes 5 PM and no admission after 4, so this is the one to drop if the day runs late map
5:00 PM	Helen for dinner — 42 min from Vogel. Oktoberfest runs nightly Oct 1 – Nov 1 at the Festhalle (door times unconfirmed) map

Swap in:

High Shoals Falls and Blue Hole Falls — 33 min, two falls on one trail (hours unconfirmed) map
Helton Creek Falls if Thursday got rained out — 13 min map

Tue Oct 20, all day — Tuesday B: the gold day in Dahlonega

For anyone who wants more gold than the hike produced, with a guaranteed-colour flume as the backstop. Gold Rush Days (Oct 17–18) is over by Tuesday, so the square is normal again.

When	What
10:00 AM	Crisson Gold Mine — 34 min. Outdoor flume panning and gem sifting, colour in every bucket map
12:30 PM	Lunch on the Dahlonega square map
2:00 PM	Dahlonega Gold Museum — in the old courthouse on the square, Mon–Sat 9 AM–4:45 PM map
3:30 PM	Dukes Creek Gold and Ruby Mines — 38 min, open April through October with limited hours; call first map

Swap in:

Consolidated Gold Mine again if the Friday tour was the highlight — underground, 38 min map
Wolf Mountain Vineyards — 34 min, tasting room Thu–Sun 11 AM–5 PM (closed Tuesday — do not drive out) map

Tue Oct 20, all day — Tuesday C: the local day (short drives, resupply, the high points)

Lowest effort. Tuesday is the Union County Farmers Market's morning, the Blairsville square is 16 min away, and Brasstown Bald in daylight is a different thing from Brasstown Bald at night.

When	What
9:00 AM	Union County Farmers Market — 18 min. Tuesday 9 AM–1 PM is one of its two market days (hours unconfirmed) map
10:30 AM	Blairsville town square and the Union County Old Courthouse Museum — 16–17 min, museum Mon–Fri 10 AM–4 PM map
12:00 PM	Resupply: Ingles Blairsville (7 AM–11 PM) or Walmart Supercenter (6 AM–11 PM), plus gas map
2:00 PM	Brasstown Bald in daylight — 30 min, site 10 AM–5 PM. Shuttle, or the steep 0.6 mi paved walk map
4:30 PM	Bell Mountain — 45 min, 8 AM to dark. Drive to the top, painted rock, big view over Lake Chatuge map

Swap in:

Meeks Park in Blairsville — 19 min, walking paths by the river. Note: Sorghum in the Mountains runs Oct 10–18, so it is finished by Tuesday map
Lake Nottely, Poteete Creek Park beach — 41 min (hours unconfirmed) map

Closed — do not drive out:

Lake Winfield Scott: campground, beach and pavilion are closed (site partially closed, checked 2026-10-08)

Wed Oct 21, morning (out by noon) — Pack-out morning, with one last stop recommended

The site must be clear by noon. Break camp first, then pick one short stop on the way out — nothing that needs a reservation or a long drive.

When	What
7:30 AM	Breakfast, then break camp: Leave No Trace sweep, load trucks
11:00 AM	Out of site P. Settle anything at the office map
11:15 AM	Pick one: Sunrise Grocery (7 min, opens 7:30) for boiled peanuts and jerky for the drive map
11:15 AM	Or Mountain Crossings at Neel Gap (7 min, opens 9 AM) — the outfitter the AT runs through map
on the way	Or a last pan at Yahoola Creek Park in Dahlonega if the route home passes that way — free public panning, no detour if it is on the way

Swap in:

Byron Herbert Reece Farm and Heritage Center — 6 min, visitor centre Wed–Sat 10 AM–4 PM April through October (unconfirmed for late October) map

Any day the weather turns — Rain plan: indoors, and nothing above 2,500 ft recommended

Two rules on a wet day: no ridge, no creek. The ground plan is Dahlonega, which is indoor-heavy and the one place the trip already knows. If the rain lands on a hike day, the hike shortens — do not camp in a narrow headwater drainage in a flash-flood watch.

When	What
morning	Consolidated Gold Mine — 38 min. The tour is underground, so rain is irrelevant. This is already the Friday plan; doing it twice is fine map
lunch	Lunch on the Dahlonega square — covered sidewalks all round it map
afternoon	Dahlonega Gold Museum — indoor, Mon–Sat 9 AM–4:45 PM map
nearer option	Union County Old Courthouse Museum in Blairsville — 17 min, Mon–Fri 10 AM–4 PM, Sat 11 AM–3 PM map
nearer option	Helen — 42 min. Indoor shops and the Festhalle (Oktoberfest nightly Oct 1 – Nov 1) map
if nobody wants to drive	Stay in: the 10x10 canopy over the kitchen, cards, and the pan-out tub. Jim's Smokin' Que is 10 min for food map

Swap in:

Hardman Farm State Historic Site — 40 min, guided house tour, 7 days 10 AM–4 PM, last tour 3 PM map
Ingles Pharmacy or The Home Depot Blairsville — 17 min, for whatever the weather broke map

Watch out:

Flash flood in a narrow headwater: CAMP-U is about one creek-mile below the source. In a watch, do not camp there — shorten the hike or stay at WOLF-X and drive back to Vogel.
Campfire restrictions on the Chattahoochee-Oconee were lifted May 4, 2026 (USFS alerts page, 2026-10-08), but status can change — re-check with Blue Ridge RD 706-745-6928 before the trip.

Every place, by kind

Waterfalls (7)

From Vogel	Place	Links
3 min	Trahlyta Falls and Lake Trahlyta (inside Vogel) quoted CLOSED now: lake drained for dam repair; falls and lake loop trail closed. details Hours: CLOSED: lake drained, Lake Trahlyta Loop Trail and waterfall closed (fetched 2026-10-08) Address: Vogel State Park, 405 Vogel State Park Road, Blairsville, GA 30512 Cost: free with park parking BLOCKER for the PLAN's Thu Oct 15 optional walk: park page says the waterfall and loop trail are closed; rest of park open. Ask the park office whether it reopens before Oct 15. Quoted: “Lake Trahlyta is currently drained for necessary dam repairs and maintenance.” — source	map · site · 706-745-2628
10 min	DeSoto Falls Recreation Area quoted Two waterfalls on easy trails off US 129, minutes south of Vogel. details Hours: Open 24 hours a day; quiet hours 10pm–6am (fetched 2026-10-08) Address: US 129 just inside the National Forest boundary, south of Neel Gap (Lumpkin County) Cost: Day Use $5 per vehicle/day (buy on site or Recreation.gov app) Day-use pass must be bought at the area. Frogtown Creek runs beside the campground. Quoted: “There are two waterfalls which can be easily viewed along the DeSoto Falls trails.” — source	map · site
13 min	Helton Creek Falls quoted Short walk to a two-tier waterfall just past the Vogel entrance. details Hours: Open all year (fetched 2026-10-08) Address: Helton Creek Rd (2.2 mi off US 19/129), Blairsville, GA 30512 Cost: free Small pullout parking 2.2 mi up Helton Creek Rd (gravel per third-party guides, unconfirmed). Trail is short (0.2 mi per search snippet, unconfirmed). Quoted: “Turn left on Helton Creek Road just past the entrance to Vogel State Park.” — source	map · site · 770-297-3000
29 min	Raven Cliff Falls (Ravens Cliff Trailhead) quoted 2.6 mi each way along a creek to a falls splitting a cliff; pools below. details Hours: Open year-round (fetched 2026-10-08) Address: 3000 Richard Russell Hwy, Helen, GA Cost: $5.00 per vehicle per day (cash, check or Recreation.gov app) Wilderness trail; gravel lot for 30 vehicles. FS byway page: calf-deep water crossing. Only Senior/Access passes accepted. Coordinates are the falls, not the trailhead. Quoted: “There is a $5.00 per vehicle amenities fee per day to use this facility.” — source	map · site · 770-297-3000
33 min	High Shoals Falls and Blue Hole Falls unconfirmed Two falls on one forest trail; gravel FS road with fords to reach it. details Hours: Explore Georgia lists open 24 hours daily (fetched 2026-10-08); not on an official page Address: 1333 Indian Grave Gap Rd (FS 283), Hiawassee, GA 30546 Cost: free (Explore Georgia listing) FS 283 is gravel with river fords (third-party guides, unconfirmed); trucks recommended. Steep climb back out. Explore Georgia directions (1.4 mi from Helen) conflict with other guides (11.4 mi). Quoted: “At 1.35 miles in, the waterfall drops 50 feet in a series of cascades” — source	map · site
40 min	Dukes Creek Falls quoted Trail to a big falls on gold-rush Dukes Creek, on the Russell Scenic Hwy. details Hours: Open year-round; day-use only (fetched 2026-10-08) Address: 1699 Richard Russell Hwy, Helen, GA Cost: $4 per vehicle/day (card or scan-and-pay only) FS byway page: 2.2 mile round trip. Pay by credit card or Recreation.gov scan-and-pay. Drive estimate snapped to the falls point, so it may read long. Quoted: “No Overnight Parking and No Camping, Day-Use site only” — source	map · site · 770-297-3000
56 min	Anna Ruby Falls quoted Paved 0.4 mi path to 150-foot twin falls near Helen. details Hours: 9:00 am–5:00 pm, 7 days a week; no admission after 4:00pm (fetched 2026-10-08) Address: 3455 Anna Ruby Falls Rd, Helen, GA Cost: $6 per person 16 years and older; 15 and under free FLAG 45-60 min. Concessionaire-run. Quoted: “Hours: 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, 7 days a week” — source	map · site

Overlooks and high points (4)

From Vogel	Place	Links
7 min	Blood Mountain via Byron Herbert Reece Trailhead quoted Steep 4.4 mi round trip to Blood Mountain's rock summit views. details Hours: Trail; no hours listed (fetched 2026-10-08) Address: US 19/129 just north of Neel Gap, Blairsville, GA 30512 Cost: free Parking is limited (FS); park only in designated spaces. 4.4 mi round trip per FS search snippet. FS suggests Slaughter Creek or Jarrard Gap if full. Quoted: “most heavily used portion of the Appalachian Trail in Georgia” — source	map · site · 706-745-6928
26 min	Hogpen Gap on the Russell-Brasstown Scenic Byway unconfirmed AT crossing and long views on the 40-mile Richard Russell Scenic Hwy loop. details Hours: Byway listed 'Site Open' (fetched 2026-10-08); no hours Address: Richard B. Russell Scenic Hwy (GA 348), Hogpen Gap Cost: free (no fee shown) FS says allow at least three hours for the full 40-mile loop (GA 348, 180, 17/75). Ties together Dukes Creek Falls, Raven Cliff and Brasstown Bald. Quoted: “Cross the famed Appalachian Trail at Hogpen Gap.” — source	map · site · 770-297-3000
30 min	Brasstown Bald quoted Georgia's highest summit: 360-degree view, visitor center, shuttle to the top. details Hours: Site 10:00am–5:00pm; no shuttle 12:30–1:10pm; last shuttle to summit 4:30pm (fetched 2026-10-08) Address: 2941 Highway Spur 180, Hiawassee, GA 30546 Cost: $10/adult (16+) regular hours; $6/adult after hours; 15 and under free After-hours fee applies to the Thu night stargazing plan. FS GPS point for the Spur 180 turn: N34.847894, W83.798567. Older research said $8; the FS page now says $10. Quoted: “Last Shuttle to summit is 4:30pm” — source	map · site · (706) 896-4137
45 min	Bell Mountain Park and Historical Site unconfirmed Paved road to a deck over Lake Chatuge near Hiawassee. details Hours: Hours 8am - Dark (fetched 2026-10-08, county page) Address: 900 Bell Mountain Park Rd, Hiawassee, GA 30546 Cost: free (Explore Georgia listing) County: closed in bad weather until roads are passable. 115 steps to the deck (search snippet). lat/lon not found (Nominatim/OSM returned a different Bell Mountain). Drive time estimated: Vogel to Hiawassee fairgrounds 38 min (OSRM) plus about 4 mi of county directions. Quoted: “Hours 8am - Dark” — source	map · site · (706) 896-2276

Gold mines and museums (7)

From Vogel	Place	Links
6 min	Byron Herbert Reece Farm and Heritage Center unconfirmed Free Appalachian farm museum of the mountain poet, 2 mi from Vogel. details Hours: Visitor Center Wed-Sat 10:00am-4:00pm, April through November (fetched 2026-10-08, Explore Georgia) Address: 8552 Gainesville Hwy, Blairsville, GA 30512 Cost: free ($0.00) A search snippet of the county page (Aug 2026) says Tue-Sat 9am-5pm; the county URL returned 404 this run, so website left empty. Call to check Tue Oct 20. Quoted: “The Reece Heritage Farm is open April through November.” — source	map · (706) 745-2034
17 min	Union County Old Courthouse Museum quoted 1899 courthouse on the Blairsville square, free local-history museum. details Hours: May-December: Mon-Fri 10am-4pm & Sat 11am-3pm (second listing: Thu-Sat 10am-3pm, likely Mountain Life Museum) (fetched 2026-10-08) Address: Old Courthouse, Town Square, Blairsville, GA 30512 Cost: free (donation appreciated) Rain-day option. lat/lon is OSM 'Union County Courthouse', which may be the newer courthouse; the museum is the old one on the square. Quoted: “Admission is free at both museums.” — source	map · site · (706) 745-5493
34 min	Crisson Gold Mine unconfirmed Outdoor panning flumes, stamp mill and gem buckets north of Dahlonega. details Hours: Mon 10:00am-10:00pm(?); Tue-Sun 10:00am-5:00pm (fetched 2026-10-08, Explore Georgia) Address: 2736 Morrison Moore Pkwy E, Dahlonega, GA 30533 Cost: Two Attractions: $14.95 (Explore Georgia) crissongoldmine.com did not return a page: SSL error, and the network's security filter (CUJO/Charter) showed a warning page instead. Website left empty. Monday 10pm close looks like a listing error. Quoted: “Two Attractions: $14.95” — source	map · (706) 864-6363
38 min	Dukes Creek Gold and Ruby Mines quoted Gold and gem panning troughs near Helen, on historic Dukes Creek. details Hours: Open April through October, limited hours 10:30 AM to 5:00 PM; call first (fetched 2026-10-08) Address: 6145 GA Hwy 75, Sautee Nacoochee, GA 30571 Cost: Gold Panning Bucket $15; gem buckets $11-$75 (Explore Georgia, unconfirmed) Season ends in October; call to confirm open Oct 20. Coordinates from OSM 'Dukes Creek Mines'. Quoted: “Open April through October, with limited hours from 10:30 AM to 5:00 PM” — source	map · site · (706) 878-2625
38 min	Dahlonega Gold Museum State Historic Site quoted 1836 courthouse on the square telling the 1829 gold rush story. details Hours: Monday–Saturday 9 a.m.–4:45 p.m.; Sunday 10 a.m.–4:45 p.m. (fetched 2026-10-08) Address: 1 Public Square North, Dahlonega, GA 30533 Cost: Adults $10.00; Seniors $7.50; Youth (6-17) $7.00; Children (6 & under) $3.50 Rain-day option. Prices are higher than research/dahlonega.md (09-21) recorded. Quoted: “Monday–Saturday 9 a.m.–4:45 p.m.” — source	map · site · 706-864-2257
38 min	Consolidated Gold Mine quoted Underground gold-mine tour plus panning lesson (Fri Oct 16 plan stop). details Hours: MON-FRI 10:00am – 5:00pm; SAT-SUN 10:00am – 5:00pm (fetched 2026-10-08) Address: 185 Consolidated Gold Mine Rd, Dahlonega, GA 30533 Cost: $24.95 and $15.95 shown on page (adult/child per 09-21 research) Weekday mornings 10-noon are busiest (site). Rain-proof (underground). Phone from research/dahlonega.md, not re-fetched. Quoted: “MON-FRI 10:00am – 5:00pm” — source	map · site · (706) 864-8473
40 min	Hardman Farm State Historic Site quoted 1870s Italianate farm facing the Nacoochee Indian mound. details Hours: Open 7 days, 10 a.m.–4 p.m. (last tour 3 p.m.); also listed Thursday-Saturday 10 a.m–4 p.m. (last tour 2 p.m.) (fetched 2026-10-08) Address: Hardman Farm, Sautee Nacoochee, GA 30571 Cost: Adults (18-61) $13.00; Seniors $9.75; Youth (6-17) $8.00; 5 and under free; self-guided grounds admission separate Two schedules on the page (likely grounds vs house tours). Coordinates from OSM park area. Quoted: “Open 7 days, 10 a.m.–4 p.m.” — source	map · site · 706-878-1077

Towns (3)

From Vogel	Place	Links
16 min	Blairsville town square unconfirmed Small courthouse square: diners, shops, the old courthouse museum. details Hours: n/a (fetched 2026-10-08) Address: Town Square, Blairsville, GA 30512 Cost: free Chamber site fetched; no hours apply. Quoted: “Blairsville Union County Chamber of Commerce” — source	map · site · 706-745-5789
38 min	Dahlonega historic square unconfirmed Gold-rush town square: museum, shops, tasting rooms, cheap lunch. details Hours: n/a (fetched 2026-10-08) Address: Public Square, Dahlonega, GA 30533 Cost: free Fri Oct 16 is the locked Dahlonega day. Gold Rush Days Sat-Sun Oct 17-18: very crowded. Quoted: “Discover Dahlonega \| Heart of the Georgia Mountains” — source	map · site · (706) 864-3711
42 min	Helen (Alpine Helen) unconfirmed Bavarian-style mountain town on the Chattahoochee: shops, tubing, Oktoberfest. details Hours: n/a (fetched 2026-10-08) Address: Helen, GA 30545 Cost: free helenga.org TLS certificate failed verification; page loaded without verification. Quoted: “Alpine Helen/White County CVB invites you to request a free travel guide” — source	map · site · 706-878-2181

Festivals (4)

From Vogel	Place	Links
19 min	Sorghum in the Mountains Festival (Blairsville) unconfirmed Sorghum syrup-making demos, crafts, square dancing at Meeks Park. details Hours: Oct 10, 2026 9:00 AM - Oct 18, 2026 5:00 PM (organizer's Eventeny page) (fetched 2026-10-08) Address: 490 Meeks Park Road, Blairsville, GA 30512 Cost: unknown Hosted by Blairsville Downtown Development Authority. Successor to the old Blairsville Sorghum Festival, whose site still shows 2024 (55th annual). Whether it runs every day or weekends only is unconfirmed (page banner says Saturday, October 10th). Only Thu Oct 15 afternoon overlaps the free time. Quoted: “Oct 10, 2026 · 9:00 AM - Oct 18, 2026 · 5:00 PM” — source	map · site
38 min	Georgia Mountain Fall Festival (Georgia Mountain Fairgrounds) unconfirmed Pioneer village, crafts hall, rides and concerts at the Hiawassee fairgrounds. details Hours: Dates October 9-11 & 15-17, 2026; daily hours not on official page (fetched 2026-10-08) Address: 1311 Music Hall Rd, Hiawassee, GA 30546 Cost: unknown (Explore Georgia search snippet: village $7, under 12 free) Runs Thu Oct 15 (free afternoon) through Sat Oct 17. Quoted: “October 9 - 11 & 15 - 17, 2026” — source	map · site · (706) 896-4191
38 min	Dahlonega Gold Rush Days unconfirmed Huge street festival on the square: crafts, food, parade. details Hours: October 17 & 18, 2026; hours not on official page (fetched 2026-10-08) Address: Dahlonega Public Square, Dahlonega, GA 30533 Cost: unknown (listings say free admission; unconfirmed) Falls during the hike (Sat-Sun). Downtown parking very limited; shuttles (09-21 research). Quoted: “October 17 & 18, 2026” — source	map · site
43 min	Helen Oktoberfest at the Festhalle quoted Longest-running US Oktoberfest; nightly through November 1. details Hours: October 1 – November 1, 2026 (nightly); door times not on official page (fetched 2026-10-08) Address: Helen Festhalle, 1074 Edelweiss Strasse, Helen, GA 30545 Cost: Mon-Thu $10.00/person; Fri-Sat $15.00; Sunday free; kids 6-12 reduced, under 6 free (subject to change) Indoor, rain or shine (chamber FAQ per search snippet), so a rain-day option. Tue Oct 20 is $10. Quoted: “October 1 – November 1, 2026 (nightly)” — source	map · site · (706) 878-1908

Parks and scenic areas (4)

From Vogel	Place	Links
at camp	Vogel State Park quoted Base camp: trails, camp store and ParkPass parking at the foot of Blood Mountain. details Hours: Park 7 a.m.–10 p.m.; Office 8 a.m.–5 p.m. (fetched 2026-10-08) Address: 405 Vogel State Park Road, Blairsville, GA 30512 Cost: ParkPass daily parking fee per vehicle (amount not on fetched page) Official address is 405 Vogel State Park Road (the brief's '7485' did not match the park page). Overnight guests pay ParkPass once per vehicle per stay. Quoted: “Park 7 a.m.–10 p.m.” — source	map · site · 706-745-2628
10 min	Sosebee Cove Scenic Area quoted Short loop through old-growth hardwood cove on GA 180. details Hours: Open year round (fetched 2026-10-08) Address: GA 180, 2 mi west of US 19/129, Union County Cost: free No water at site. Quoted: “Go two miles to the Sosebee parking area on the right” — source	map · site · 770-297-3000
19 min	Meeks Park unconfirmed Blairsville's county park; venue for the 2026 Sorghum in the Mountains festival. details Hours: unknown (fetched 2026-10-08) Address: 490 Meeks Park Rd, Blairsville, GA 30512 Cost: unknown County facility page loaded but shows only the batting cages. Festival Oct 10-18 per Eventeny (see festival row). Quoted: “490 Meeks Park Rd Blairsville, GA 30512” — source	map · site
54 min	Smithgall Woods State Park quoted Quiet park on gold-rush Dukes Creek; trails and trout water. details Hours: Park 7 a.m.–Dark; Office 8 a.m.–5 p.m. (fetched 2026-10-08) Address: Smithgall Woods State Park, Helen, GA Cost: ParkPass parking (amount not on fetched page) FLAG 45-60 min. Laurel Ridge Trail open during scheduled hunts. Panning rules not on page; ask before panning. Quoted: “Trout fishing is only allowed on Wednesdays, Saturdays, and Sundays” — source	map · site · 706-878-3087

Markets and orchards (2)

From Vogel	Place	Links
18 min	Union County Farmers Market unconfirmed Local produce, sorghum, honey and crafts; Tuesday and Saturday mornings. details Hours: Tuesday 9:00am-1:00pm; Saturday 8:00am-1:00pm; June thru October (fetched 2026-10-08, Explore Georgia) Address: 290 Farmers Market Way, Blairsville, GA 30512 Cost: free entry Tue Oct 20 market fits free time if the 2026 season still runs (a 2024 listing ended Oct 26; 2026 end date unconfirmed, call). ucfarmersmarket.com returned 404, so website left empty. lat/lon not geocoded; drive is an estimate for Blairsville. Quoted: “The Union County Farmers Market is open from June thru October.” — source	map · (706) 439-6043
48 min	Mercier Orchards quoted Big apple orchard market: fried pies, cider, U-pick, tractor rides. details Hours: Mon-Thu 9 AM-5 PM; Fri-Sun 9 AM-6 PM (fetched 2026-10-08) Address: 8660 Blue Ridge Dr, Blue Ridge, GA Cost: free entry; U-pick prices unknown FLAG 45-60 min. Site's TLS certificate failed verification (expired); page loaded without verification. Quoted: “Monday – Thursday: 9 AM – 5 PM” — source	map · site · (706) 632-3411

Food (5)

From Vogel	Place	Links
10 min	Jim's Smokin' Que quoted BBQ on US 19/129 between Vogel and Blairsville. details Hours: Now Open 7 Days a Week, 11AM – 8PM (fetched 2026-10-08) Address: 4971 Gainesville Hwy, Blairsville, GA 30512 Cost: unknown Quoted: “Now Open 7 Days- A- Week” — source	map · site
16 min	Hole in the Wall quoted Blairsville's oldest diner on the square; breakfast all day. details Hours: Sun 7:30-2:00; Mon 7:00-2:00; Tue-Sat 7:00-8:00 pm (fetched 2026-10-08, official site) Address: 12 B Town Square, Blairsville, GA 30512 Cost: unknown Explore Georgia lists different hours (Mon-Sat 7am-4pm, Sun 7am-2:30pm); call. Cash or check only per a search snippet (unconfirmed). Quoted: “Union County's oldest diner located in the heart of the beautiful downtown Blairsville square.” — source	map · site · 706-745-5888
17 min	Cook's Country Kitchen unconfirmed Country buffet line, meat-and-veg plates, cheap. details Hours: unknown (fetched 2026-10-08) Address: 105 Pat Haralson Memorial Dr, Blairsville, GA 30512 Cost: unknown (a review says price was very reasonable) No official site or hours found. Address from a directory search snippet. Cash only per a reviewer (unconfirmed). A Blairsville country-cooking restaurant is listed for sale (unnamed; unconfirmed if this one). lat/lon is street-level only. Quoted: “One of the few left that still has a buffet line” — source	map
17 min	The Sawmill Place unconfirmed Log-cabin Southern breakfast and lunch; early opener. details Hours: Mon-Fri 6:30am-2:00pm; Sat 6:30am-11:30am; Sun not listed (fetched 2026-10-08, Explore Georgia) Address: 1150 Pat Haralson Memorial Dr, Blairsville, GA 30512 Cost: unknown thesawmillplace.com returned 403, so website left empty. Likely closed Sunday. lat/lon is street-level only. Quoted: “Classic Southern fare made with local ingredients in a homey log cabin” — source	map · (706) 745-1250
39 min	Picnic Cafe and Dessertery unconfirmed Family bakery-cafe on the Dahlonega square; sandwiches and cakes. details Hours: unknown (fetched 2026-10-08) Address: 30 Public Square S, Dahlonega, GA 30533 Cost: unknown Option for Fri Oct 16 lunch on the square. Hours not found. Quoted: “Picnic Cafe and Dessertery: A Dahlonega Square Staple” — source	map

Groceries (3)

From Vogel	Place	Links
7 min	Sunrise Grocery unconfirmed 1920s country store with famous kettle-boiled peanuts, jams, sorghum, ethanol-free gas. details Hours: Mon-Sat 7:30am-7:00pm; Sun 9:00am-6:00pm (fetched 2026-10-08, Explore Georgia, not official site) Address: 7568 Gainesville Hwy, Blairsville, GA 30512 Cost: free to visit; prices unknown Explore Georgia: 'Stop by for some famous boiled peanuts!' Official site lists no hours. lat/lon not found in OSM/Nominatim. Drive estimated from address order: between Reece Farm (8552, 6 min) and Valero (5315, 9 min). Quoted: “The oldest operating business in Union County” — source	map · site · (706) 745-5877
17 min	Ingles Markets #98 Blairsville quoted Full supermarket for the main supply run; deli and pharmacy. details Hours: Store Hours: 7:00am to 11:00pm (fetched 2026-10-08) Address: 207 B Hwy. 515, Blairsville, GA 30512 Cost: n/a Quoted: “Store Hours: 7:00am to 11:00pm” — source	map · site · 706-745-9862
22 min	Walmart Supercenter Blairsville quoted Cheapest bulk food, ice, tarps, batteries, cheap gold-pan props. details Hours: 6am - 11pm (fetched 2026-10-08) Address: 2257 Hwy 515, Blairsville, GA 30512 Cost: n/a Store #3485. Murphy USA fuel next door (OSM). Quoted: “6am - 11pm” — source	map · site · 706-835-2881

Gas (3)

From Vogel	Place	Links
7 min	Sunrise Grocery fuel pumps unconfirmed Likely nearest fuel to Vogel; sells only ethanol-free gas. details Hours: store hours, see Sunrise Grocery (unconfirmed) (fetched 2026-10-08) Address: 7568 Gainesville Hwy, Blairsville, GA 30512 Cost: unknown (prices change) Fuel per GasBuddy user reviews (page dated Apr 2026). By address it is closer to Vogel than the Valero, but no coordinates were found. Quoted: “They only sell ethanol-free gas.” — source	map · site · (706) 745-5877
9 min	Valero, Gainesville Hwy unconfirmed Nearest OSM-mapped fuel to Vogel, on US 19/129 toward Blairsville. details Hours: unknown (fetched 2026-10-08) Address: 5315 Gainesville Hwy, Blairsville, GA 30512 Cost: unknown Valero page loaded but showed no hours. Coordinates from OSM way/653637287. Quoted: “5315 GAINESVILLE HWY” — source	map · site
17 min	Ingles Gas-Express, Blairsville unconfirmed Ingles fuel station beside the supermarket on Hwy 515. details Hours: unknown (store 7:00am-11:00pm) (fetched 2026-10-08) Address: 207 B Hwy 515, Blairsville, GA 30512 Cost: unknown Ingles store page lists Gas-Express; pump hours not shown. Coordinates from OSM way/650961425. Murphy USA by Walmart is another option (OSM). Quoted: “Gas-Express” — source	map · site · 706-745-9862

Water and swimming (2)

From Vogel	Place	Links
20 min	Lake Winfield Scott quoted Mountain lake off GA 180; beach and campground CLOSED for construction. details Hours: Site partially closed: campground, beach and pavilion closed until further notice (fetched 2026-10-08) Address: GA Hwy 180, 7 mi west of US 19/129, Suches, GA Cost: unknown No swimming beach. The fishing pier off Hwy 180 is open. Quoted: “The campground, beach and picnic pavilion are closed until further notice” — source	map · site
41 min	Lake Nottely (Poteete Creek Park beach) unconfirmed TVA lake with a county white-sand beach north of Blairsville. details Hours: Explore Georgia lists 'All Day' (fetched 2026-10-08); Poteete campground April 1 thru October 15th Address: Poteete Creek Park, 1040 Poteete Creek Rd, Blairsville, GA (off GA 325) Cost: unknown (search snippet: $5/car parking pass, unconfirmed) Campground season ends Oct 15; beach status after that unconfirmed. Street address from a search snippet. Official county page did not render, so website left empty. Quoted: “white sand beach swimming area” — source	map · (706) 745-5789

Breweries and wineries (2)

From Vogel	Place	Links
34 min	Wolf Mountain Vineyards quoted Dahlonega winery with mountain views and a lunch cafe. details Hours: TASTING ROOM Thurs-Sun 11AM-5PM; CAFE Thurs-Sat 12-3PM (fetched 2026-10-08) Address: 180 Wolf Mountain Trail, Dahlonega, GA 30533 Cost: unknown Closed Mon-Wed, so not on Tue Oct 20; works Thu Oct 15 or Fri Oct 16. Quoted: “TASTING ROOM : Thurs-Sun 11AM-5PM” — source	map · site · 706-867-9862
35 min	Crane Creek Vineyards quoted Winery and farmhouse tasting room below Brasstown Bald, Young Harris. details Hours: Tue-Thu 9am-4pm; Fri 9am-8pm; Sat 9am-6pm; Sun 9am-4pm; Monday CLOSED (second schedule on page: Tue-Fri 1pm-6pm, Sat 1pm-8pm, Sun 1pm-5pm) (fetched 2026-10-08) Address: 916 Crane Creek Rd, Young Harris, GA Cost: unknown Two hour blocks on the page (likely farmhouse cafe vs tasting room). Closed Mon Oct 19. Quoted: “Monday CLOSED” — source	map · site

Outfitters (1)

From Vogel	Place	Links
7 min	Mountain Crossings at Neel Gap (Walasi-Yi) quoted AT outfitter in the stone Walasi-Yi building; gear, hiker food, the shoe tree. details Hours: MON-SUN 9:00am-5pm EST (fetched 2026-10-08) Address: 12471 Gainesville Hwy, Blairsville, GA 30512 Cost: free to visit Street number from OSM. Good rain-day stop. Quoted: “MON-SUN 9:00am-5pm EST” — source	map · site · 706-745-6095

Services, health, laundry (5)

From Vogel	Place	Links
2 min	Laundry inside Vogel State Park unconfirmed OSM marks a laundry in the Vogel campground area; confirm with the office. details Hours: unknown (fetched 2026-10-08) Address: Vogel State Park, 405 Vogel State Park Road, Blairsville, GA 30512 Cost: unknown Only laundry found: no public laundromat in Blairsville turned up in two searches or OSM. Ask the park office (706-745-2628). Quoted: “Laundry” — source	map · 706-745-2628
16 min	King's Quick Care unconfirmed Nearest walk-in urgent care found, in Blairsville; closed weekends. details Hours: Weekday hours unknown; not open weekends (fetched 2026-10-08, Solv listing) Address: 214 Young Harris St, Blairsville, GA 30512 Cost: unknown kingsquickcare.com did not connect. Call first. Emergency: Union General Hospital (24/7). lat/lon is street-level only. Quoted: “No, King's Quick Care is not open on the weekends.” — source	map
17 min	Ingles Pharmacy Blairsville quoted Pharmacy inside Ingles #98. details Hours: Mon-Fri 9:00am-9:00pm; Sat 9:00am-6:00pm; Sun 9:00am-6:00pm (fetched 2026-10-08) Address: 207 B Hwy. 515, Blairsville, GA 30512 Cost: n/a OSM also maps CVS, Walgreens, Walmart Pharmacy and Brasstown Pharmacy in Blairsville (not verified). Quoted: “Pharmacy Phone: 706-745-1700” — source	map · site · 706-745-1700
17 min	The Home Depot Blairsville unconfirmed Hardware: tools, tarps, rope, propane, screens for panning. details Hours: Mo-Sa 06:00-22:00; Su 08:00-20:00 per OSM (fetched 2026-10-08); official page blocked Address: 17 Hwy 515, Blairsville, GA 30512 Cost: n/a homedepot.com store page returned 403 to both fetchers, so website left empty. Hours and phone are OSM tags. Quoted: “Mo-Sa 06:00-22:00; Su 08:00-20:00” — source	map · +1 706-781-1865
18 min	Union General Hospital (ER) unconfirmed 24/7 hospital emergency room in Blairsville. details Hours: 24/7 per OSM (fetched 2026-10-08) Address: 35 Hospital Road, Blairsville, GA 30512 Cost: n/a Official site uniongeneralhealthsystem.com returned 403. OSM tags: emergency=yes, opening_hours=24/7. Quoted: “Union General Health Systems” — source	map · +1 706 745 2111

The hike area as a playground. The locked route stays the route — this is here so it can be branched on the fly. At each camp and junction: the bail-out to the nearest road, a longer or shorter day, and the side creeks, each with distance, climb, walking time and water. Distances are measured on real OpenStreetMap geometry; climb and time use the same elevation and Tobler model as the day plan, so they compare with it directly. Condition of anything off the planned route is UNCONFIRMED — these are mapped lines, not trail reports. And panning everywhere here is AMBER: no ranger has confirmed any creek (CALLS.md #1).

Camps, junctions and trailheads — and the ways on from each

Trailhead: Coosa Backcountry Trailhead (Vogel State Park) 1 way on

34.7638, -83.9263 · map

Mile 0 of the 12.9 mi Coosa Backcountry Trail loop. Park inside Vogel (ParkPass).

Kind	Where it goes	Dist	Climb	Time	Pack
the plan Vogel State Park — no panning	Coosa Backcountry Trail up to Burnett Gap Ends at: Burnett Gap Water: Wolf Creek at the park; nothing on the climb. This is day 1 as of 2026-10-17 (owner): Saturday walks out of camp over Burnett Gap instead of driving to WOLF-X.	1.02 mi	+469 ft	35 min	packs

Gap: Burnett Gap (CBT mile 1.02) 2 ways on

34.76795718850893, -83.93950116137457 · map

Burnett Creek Trail drops north from here to Burnett Creek Road.

Kind	Where it goes	Dist	Climb	Time	Pack
the plan	Coosa Backcountry Trail on to WOLF-X Ends at: WOLF-X (West Fork Wolf Creek / FS 107 crossing) Water: West Fork Wolf Creek at WOLF-X.	2.35 mi	+194 ft	65 min	packs
bail-out	Burnett Creek Trail down to Burnett Creek Road Ends at: Burnett Creek Road (a forest road a truck can reach) Water: Burnett Creek, alongside most of the way down. Mapped path only, condition UNCONFIRMED. The quickest way off the ridge on the Vogel side.	1.86 mi	+646 ft	60 min	packs

Trailhead: WOLF-X — West Fork Wolf Creek / FS 107 crossing (CBT mile 3.37) 4 ways on

34.78632159144092, -83.92484777901997 · map

Day 1 walks in to here from the Vogel trailhead over Burnett Gap, 3.37 mi (changed 2026-10-17) — no truck is left here. FS 107 (West Wolf Creek Road) is open to vehicles — owner, first-hand, 2026-10-05. Last water before the climb: fill 2 L each.

Kind	Where it goes	Dist	Climb	Time	Pack
the plan crosses private	Coosa Backcountry Trail up over Locust Stake Gap to Calf Stomp Gap Ends at: Calf Stomp Gap (CBT / FS 108 / Roaring Fork Trail junction) Water: none on the climb — fill 2 L each at WOLF-X.	2.54 mi	+1375 ft	95 min	packs
bail-out	FS 107 (West Wolf Creek Road) out to the paved road Ends at: Wolf Pen Gap Road (paved) Water: West Fork Wolf Creek beside the road for the first stretch. FS 107 is open to vehicles (owner, first-hand, 2026-10-05), but no truck is left here any more (changed 2026-10-17): this is the quickest way to a drivable road if someone has to get out.	2.64 mi	+906 ft	85 min	packs
shorter Vogel State Park — no panning	Coosa Backcountry Trail back down to the Vogel trailhead Ends at: Vogel State Park trailhead Water: Wolf Creek near the park. Walk back to base camp instead of going up. Loses the hike.	3.37 mi	+997 ft	105 min	packs
side creek	West Fork Wolf Creek, the National Forest reach Ends at: the Forest Service boundary at 34.7906, -83.9190 — do not pan below it Water: the creek itself. National Forest from the source down to 34.7906, -83.9190. No gold record: this is a geological-inference test pan. Trout water (DNR stocks it April–Labor Day), so fishing rules apply.	2.89 mi	+92 ft	70 min	daypack

Gap: Locust Stake Gap (CBT mile 4.71)

34.79276242656693, -83.93980407949687 · map

On the climb from WOLF-X to Calf Stomp Gap. No water, no junction.

Junction: Calf Stomp Gap (CBT mile 5.91) 4 ways on

34.78595091413024, -83.95356079366938 · map

The hub of the area: Coosa Backcountry Trail, Calf Stomp Road (FS 108) and Roaring Fork Trail all meet here. The design-doc coordinate agrees with the mapped trail within 35 m.

Kind	Where it goes	Dist	Climb	Time	Pack
the plan	Coosa Backcountry Trail on to the Calf Stump Branch camp Ends at: Calf Stump Branch camp (night 1) Water: Calf Stump Branch at the camp (headwater; October flow UNCONFIRMED).	0.4 mi	+374 ft	20 min	packs
the plan	Roaring Fork Trail west along the ridge to the drop-in Ends at: the leave-trail point above DROP-IN Water: none on the ridge (3,300–3,500 ft) — carry it from Calf Stump Branch. OSM way 978262922, highway=path, surface=ground. No trail report, sign or Forest Service listing found: condition UNCONFIRMED. If it is gone, follow the ridge crest west by compass — same line.	1.56 mi	+387 ft	50 min	packs
bail-out	Calf Stomp Road (FS 108) and Big Grassy Knob Road out to the Bowers Road junction Ends at: Duncan Ridge Conn / Bowers Road junction — then 0.8 mi of Bowers Road to truck 2 at BOWERS-FS Water: none on the road — carry it. The fastest way off the ridge to a road a truck can meet you on, and it lands on the same exit the hike already uses. Forest roads: whether the gates are open is a ranger call (CALLS.md #1). This was the 2026-10-05 route that got dropped for walking roads — fine as a bail-out, not as the plan.	1.92 mi	+154 ft	60 min	packs
longer	Coosa Backcountry Trail on around the loop (toward Coosa Bald / Wolfpen Gap) Ends at: 2.5 mi further round the Coosa Backcountry Trail loop Water: creek crossings on the loop; none mapped on the first climb. The loop keeps going. This is the way to more trail and more ridge, not to a pan spot.	2.5 mi	+938 ft	85 min	packs

Camp: Calf Stump Branch camp — night 1 3 ways on

34.7824382, -83.9585832 · map

On the Coosa Backcountry Trail 0.4 mi past Calf Stomp Gap, where it crosses Calf Stump Branch. About 400 m from the nearest road. Water: the branch (headwater, October flow UNCONFIRMED).

Kind	Where it goes	Dist	Climb	Time	Pack
the plan	Back up to Calf Stomp Gap for the Roaring Fork Trail Ends at: Calf Stomp Gap Water: fill at Calf Stump Branch before leaving — nothing again until the creek at CAMP-U. The only retraced stretch on the whole hike.	0.4 mi	+0 ft	15 min	packs
bail-out	Back to Calf Stomp Gap, then FS 108 down to Big Grassy Knob Road Ends at: Big Grassy Knob Road (forest road; gate status UNCONFIRMED) Water: Calf Stump Branch at the start; nothing after. Fastest way to a road a truck could meet you on, from night 1.	0.69 mi	+118 ft	25 min	packs
side creek	Calf Stump Branch itself, up and down from the trail crossing Ends at: the branch (both ways from the crossing) Water: the branch itself. No gold record for this branch and October flow is UNCONFIRMED. It is the camp water source — pan downstream of where you draw water.	1.56 mi	+0 ft	40 min	daypack

Junction: Leave-trail point above DROP-IN (Roaring Fork Trail)

34.789506, -83.985797 · map

Where the route leaves the ridge: OFF-TRAIL, about 0.4 mi and 550 ft of descent at roughly 25%. Pick the line down the spur, not a hollow. All Forest Service land.

Camp: CAMP-U — night 2, upper East Fork Coosa Creek 3 ways on

34.79056, -83.98457 · map

About 2,875 ft, on the only reach of the East Fork with no road beside it (above 34.79824, -83.97825). Nearest road point about 670 m away across a 500 ft slope. Water: the creek; headwater, October flow UNCONFIRMED — if it is a trickle move down toward 34.7958, -83.9792.

Kind	Where it goes	Dist	Climb	Time	Pack
the plan	Down the creek to the LOWER reach Ends at: LOWER (34.7935, -83.9811) Water: the creek. Flatter, inside of bends. Still 500 m from the road end.	0.29 mi	+0 ft	5 min	packs
bail-out	Down East Fork Coosa Creek to where the road starts Ends at: the road end at 34.79824, -83.97825 (Duncan Ridge Conn) Water: the creek, the whole way. The nearest point any vehicle can reach from CAMP-U. No path: walk the bed and banks.	0.69 mi	+0 ft	15 min	packs
side creek	Up East Fork Coosa Creek past DROP-IN to the source Ends at: the mapped source of the East Fork (34.789953, -83.991496) Water: the creek. The steep headwater reach, 350–720 ft/mi. Bulletin 19: up here the gold is in "the bed of the creek only" — bedrock cracks and the inside of bends, not banks.	0.44 mi	+210 ft	15 min	daypack

Pan spot: LOWER reach — the last pan 1 way on

34.7935, -83.98112 · map

Flatter water, inside of bends. Still 500 m above the road end.

Kind	Where it goes	Dist	Climb	Time	Pack
the plan	On down the creek to where the road starts Ends at: the road end at 34.79824, -83.97825 Water: the creek. Do not pan below 34.80637, -83.95980 — below that the East Fork is private.	0.4 mi	+0 ft	10 min	packs

Junction: Where the road starts (34.79824, -83.97825) 2 ways on

34.79824, -83.97825 · map

Duncan Ridge Conn begins here and runs beside the creek. Nothing below this point is road-free. This is the nearest a vehicle can get to CAMP-U.

Kind	Where it goes	Dist	Climb	Time	Pack
the plan	Duncan Ridge Conn down to the Bowers Road junction Ends at: the Duncan Ridge Conn / Bowers Road junction Water: the creek runs beside the road most of the way.	0.73 mi	+30 ft	20 min	packs
side creek	Roaring Fork, the next creek downstream Ends at: Roaring Fork Water: the creek. Joins the East Fork at 34.801680, -83.967784. The survey calls a flat-after-steep reach plus a confluence the classic drop zone. Panning legality here is the same AMBER as the rest: no ranger has confirmed it.	1.37 mi	+7 ft	30 min	daypack

Junction: Duncan Ridge Conn / Bowers Road junction 2 ways on

34.80137, -83.96678 · map

Jones Branch and Roaring Fork join the East Fork near here.

Kind	Where it goes	Dist	Climb	Time	Pack
the plan	Bowers Road (FS 298) to truck 2 at BOWERS-FS Ends at: BOWERS-FS — truck 2, the first Forest Service ground on Bowers Road below Owltown Gap Water: none on the road. All Forest Service ground from the junction to the truck. Above the truck, Bowers Road crosses private land for 0.68 mi up to Owltown Gap: whether the public may drive that stretch is UNCONFIRMED, on the call list (CALLS.md #1).	0.84 mi	+112 ft	25 min	packs
side creek	Jones Branch, the confluence just upstream Ends at: Jones Branch Water: the branch. Joins the East Fork at 34.797713, -83.977594. Another flat-after-steep confluence. Check the private-land tint before you pan: the East Fork is private below 34.80637, -83.95980.	0.55 mi	+0 ft	10 min	daypack

Junction: Owltown Gap (where Bowers Road / FS 298 leaves the paved road)

34.81143, -83.94952 · map

A residential bend on paved Owltown Rd with houses on it and no lot. Truck 2 is NOT left here (owner, 2026-10-12): it sits 0.68 mi down Bowers Road at BOWERS-FS.

Trailhead: BOWERS-FS — truck 2 (Bowers Road / FS 298, first Forest Service ground)

34.80382, -83.95267 · map

Where truck 2 is staged Friday evening and where the hike ends Monday. Park clear of the roadway; USFS allows roadside parking up to 14 days.

Boundary: East Fork Forest Service boundary (34.80637, -83.95980)

34.80637, -83.9598 · map

DO NOT PAN BELOW THIS POINT. Below it the East Fork is private for most of the way to the mouth.

Water

Source	At	Note
Calf Stump Branch	camp_cs	Night 1 water. Small headwater branch; October is the driest month and flow is UNCONFIRMED. Fill 2 L each at WOLF-X before the climb in case it is dry.
East Fork Coosa Creek	camp_u	Night 2 water, about one creek-mile below the source at ~2,900 ft. Flow UNCONFIRMED. Fallback: move down toward 34.7958, -83.9792.
West Fork Wolf Creek	wolf_x	First water on the walk in from Vogel (nothing on the ridge over Burnett Gap) and the last before the climb. Fill 2 L each here — there is none on the 1,375 ft climb to Calf Stomp Gap.

Named streams the planned route actually touches: Burnett Branch, Calf Stump Branch, East Fork Coosa Creek, Jones Branch, Roaring Fork, West Fork Wolf Creek, Wildcat Branch. Treat everything.

Nearest store, gas and food to each trailhead

Coosa Backcountry Trailhead (Vogel State Park)

Straight-line distance, not drive time — these are mountain roads.

Nearest	What	Line of sight	Hours
Laundry inside Vogel State Park unconfirmed	service	0.2 mi	unknown (fetched 2026-10-08)	map
Valero, Gainesville Hwy unconfirmed	gas	3.9 mi	unknown (fetched 2026-10-08)	map
Jim's Smokin' Que quoted	food	4.2 mi	Now Open 7 Days a Week, 11AM – 8PM (fetched 2026-10-08)	map

WOLF-X — West Fork Wolf Creek / FS 107 crossing (CBT mile 3.37)

Straight-line distance, not drive time — these are mountain roads.

Nearest	What	Line of sight	Hours
Laundry inside Vogel State Park unconfirmed	service	1.4 mi	unknown (fetched 2026-10-08)	map
Valero, Gainesville Hwy unconfirmed	gas	2.5 mi	unknown (fetched 2026-10-08)	map
Jim's Smokin' Que quoted	food	2.7 mi	Now Open 7 Days a Week, 11AM – 8PM (fetched 2026-10-08)	map

BOWERS-FS — truck 2 (Bowers Road / FS 298, first Forest Service ground)

Straight-line distance, not drive time — these are mountain roads.

Nearest	What	Line of sight	Hours
Valero, Gainesville Hwy unconfirmed	gas	3 mi	unknown (fetched 2026-10-08)	map
Jim's Smokin' Que quoted	food	3 mi	Now Open 7 Days a Week, 11AM – 8PM (fetched 2026-10-08)	map
Laundry inside Vogel State Park unconfirmed	service	3.1 mi	unknown (fetched 2026-10-08)	map

Everything named in the area

83 named creeks, trails, forest roads and roads with geometry inside the area box (34.72–34.86 N, -84.03–-83.87 W). Sorted by how far each one sits from the planned route.

Creeks and branches (36)

Name	In the area	From the route
East Fork Coosa Creek crosses private	6.29 mi	on the route	map
Jones Branch	0.55 mi	on the route	map
Burnett Branch Vogel State Park	1.39 mi	on the route	map
Roaring Fork	1.37 mi	on the route	map
Calf Stump Branch	1.56 mi	on the route	map
West Fork Wolf Creek crosses private	3.47 mi	on the route	map
Wildcat Branch	1.49 mi	on the route	map
Wolf Creek crosses private Vogel State Park	5.47 mi	72 m off	map
Fortenberry Creek crosses private	3.3 mi	83 m off	map
Logan Creek	2.55 mi	352 m off	map
Helton Creek crosses private	1.93 mi	431 m off	map
Lance Branch crosses private	0.85 mi	505 m off	map
Frady Branch crosses private	0.56 mi	717 m off	map
Gillespie Branch crosses private	1.3 mi	1092 m off	map
Board Camp Creek	2 mi	1341 m off	map
Miller Cove Branch crosses private	2.02 mi	1371 m off	map
Jarrard Creek crosses private	2.24 mi	1372 m off	map
Burnett Creek	2.32 mi	1531 m off	map
Shanty Branch crosses private	0.99 mi	1.1 mi off	map
Tigue Branch	0.55 mi	1.2 mi off	map
Wilson Branch crosses private	1.03 mi	1.2 mi off	map
Bryant Creek	1.79 mi	1.4 mi off	map
Slaughter Creek	2.04 mi	1.6 mi off	map
West Fork Coosa Creek crosses private	3.11 mi	1.8 mi off	map
Blood Mountain Creek	1.39 mi	1.8 mi off	map
Cooper Creek	5.87 mi	2.0 mi off	map
East Seabolt Creek	0.54 mi	2.1 mi off	map
Garrett Creek	0.8 mi	2.2 mi off	map
Nottely River crosses private	2.59 mi	2.2 mi off	map
Flat Creek	1.51 mi	2.2 mi off	map
Coosa Creek crosses private	0.87 mi	2.2 mi off	map
Hicks Gap Branch crosses private	1.3 mi	2.3 mi off	map
Mulky Gap Branch crosses private	1.94 mi	2.4 mi off	map
West Seabolt Creek crosses private	1.39 mi	2.6 mi off	map
Stewart Creek crosses private	1.08 mi	2.6 mi off	map
Turkey Creek	2.01 mi	3.6 mi off	map

Trails and paths (26)

Name	In the area	From the route
Bear Hair Gap Trail	1.7 mi	on the route	map
Bear Hair Gap Trail / Coosa Backcountry Trail Vogel State Park	0.52 mi	on the route	map
Coosa Backcountry crosses private FS Trail 111	6.53 mi	on the route	map
Coosa Backcountry Trail crosses private Vogel State Park FS Trail 111	2.32 mi	on the route	map
Roaring Fork Trail ground	1.63 mi	on the route	map
Duncan Ridge Trail FS Trail 4 · access: yes	5.06 mi	105 m off	map
Trail to spring at White Oak Stomp dirt	0.11 mi	194 m off	map
Trahlyta Lake Trail Vogel State Park dirt;wood	0.79 mi	247 m off	map
Outlook Trail	0.12 mi	417 m off	map
Coosa Backcountry / Duncan Ridge Trail FS Trail 4;FS Trail 111	3.57 mi	590 m off	map
Sosebee Cove Connector FS Trail 21A	0.05 mi	947 m off	map
Appalachian Trail asphalt;gravel	5.17 mi	1.4 mi off	map
Slaughter Creek Trail FS Trail 141	2.42 mi	1.5 mi off	map
Byron Herbert Reece Trail FS Trail 112 · access: no	0.7 mi	1.6 mi off	map
Bryant Creek Trail ground	2.6 mi	1.8 mi off	map
Freeman Trail FS Trail 1A	1.76 mi	1.8 mi off	map
Slaughter Creek Road access	0.23 mi	1.9 mi off	map
Campsite	0.05 mi	1.9 mi off	map
Woods Hole Shelter Spur FS Trail 81	0.4 mi	2.0 mi off	map
Burnett Creek Trail ground	1.86 mi	2.1 mi off	map
Lake Winfield Scott FS Trail 143 · dirt;asphalt	0.29 mi	2.6 mi off	map
Jarrard Gap Trail FS Trail 141	0.25 mi	2.8 mi off	map
Camp Trail access: yes	0.14 mi	2.9 mi off	map
Flatland-Cooper Connector ground · grade5	0.64 mi	3.1 mi off	map
Cemetery Ridge ground	0.87 mi	3.2 mi off	map
Turkey Creek Trail ground	0.55 mi	3.6 mi off	map

Forest roads and tracks (13)

Name	In the area	From the route
Big Grassy Knob Road gravel	1.65 mi	on the route	map
Calf Stomp Road FS 108 · gravel	2.47 mi	on the route	map
Fortenberry Road FS 395 · ground	1.33 mi	on the route	map
West Wolf Creek Road crosses private FS 107 · gravel	3.57 mi	on the route	map
Duncan Ridge Road FS 39 · gravel · grade2	6.8 mi	170 m off	map
Moon Ridge crosses private	0.37 mi	806 m off	map
Hard Rock Road crosses private	0.16 mi	1012 m off	map
Board Camp Creek Road	0.72 mi	1373 m off	map
Burnett Creek Road FS 261 · gravel · grade3	6.21 mi	1470 m off	map
Spencer Road FS 4D · unpaved	2.26 mi	1.3 mi off	map
Authorized Vehicles Only access: forestry	0.06 mi	2.5 mi off	map
Rocky Mountain Road ground · grade5	0.82 mi	3.2 mi off	map
Mart Helton Branch B Road FS 33B · dirt;ground · grade4	1.13 mi	4.0 mi off	map

Roads (8)

Name	In the area	From the route
Bowers Road crosses private FS 298	1.52 mi	on the route	map
Duncan Ridge Conn	3.04 mi	on the route	map
Wolf Pen Gap Road crosses private Vogel State Park GA 180 · asphalt	6.7 mi	on the route	map
Vogel State Park Road crosses private Vogel State Park asphalt	0.72 mi	151 m off	map
Cooper Creek Road FS 33 · asphalt;gravel	7.6 mi	2.1 mi off	map
Lake Winfield Scott Road FS 37	0.9 mi	2.3 mi off	map
Mulky Gap Road crosses private FS 4 · unpaved;paved	3.85 mi	2.4 mi off	map
Robertson Circle crosses private	1.44 mi	2.6 mi off	map

Cheap-man's fishing and crawdad guide. Researched 2026-10-08. Every fact carries the URL it came from and a short verbatim quote from the page as fetched that day. Anything not fetched and quoted is marked UNCONFIRMED. Notes marked "my assumption" or "my arithmetic" are mine, not from a source.

Cheat sheet — the ten lines that matter

Lake Trahlyta is drained for dam repairs. No lake fishing at Vogel; the loop trail and Trahlyta Falls are closed too (Vogel park page).

License: age 16+ needs a GA fishing license, plus a trout license on our creeks. Nonresident: $10 day 1 + $3.50 each extra day; trout $10 + $2/day. Resident trout: $5 + $1/day. +$3 fee.

Buy: the license kiosk in the Vogel visitor center, or online. Walmart Blairsville: UNCONFIRMED.

Trout: all trout waters are open year-round. Limit 8 trout a day; none of our creeks is artificial-lure-only or delayed harvest.

Kit: 4 lb mono, size 8-10 hooks, BB split shot, worms or corn or crickets, one small gold/silver inline spinner. No live minnows in trout streams.

Crawdad traps: risky on all of our creeks. Georgia bars minnow traps in designated trout waters, and our creeks are trout waters. Whether a crawdad trap counts as a minnow trap: UNCONFIRMED. Call DNR first, or catch them by hand.

If you trap: max 2 per person, throat 1 inch or less, and a tag with the owner's name and address. Check them within 24 h.

Never move live crawdads or bait between creeks. Don't dig them out of burrows. Yahoola (Lumpkin County) has 2 state-Threatened species, so release what you catch there (my assumption).

Cook: never eat raw. Cook to at least 145°F (CDC); raw crayfish can carry a lung fluke. Boil time: UNCONFIRMED.

Fire: campfire ban on the Chattahoochee NF was lifted May 4, 2026. Recheck before Oct 17: Blue Ridge RD 706-745-6928.

The detail — tap a line to open it

Every fact below carries the URL it came from and a quote off that page as fetched on 2026-10-08. Anything not fetched and quoted says UNCONFIRMED. The one that matters most: whether a crawdad trap counts as a banned minnow trap in trout water — call GA DNR 706-557-3213 before setting one (CALLS.md #6).

1. Do these creeks have crawdads?

Union County (hike creeks, Vogel): 7 crayfish species on the state list. GA DNR's all-crayfish list for Union County (data export dated January 4, 2026) names these species: - Common Crayfish, Cambarus bartonii. Habitat: "Associated with rocks or woody debris in all areas of small streams". This is the likeliest find in a small mountain creek (my assumption, from the habitat line). - Hiwassee Crayfish, Cambarus hiwasseensis: "Clear streams with swift flow and rocky substrate" - Longnose crayfish, Cambarus longirostris: "Riffle areas of streams under rocks" - Knotty Burrowing crayfish, Cambarus nodosus: "Complex burrows in very wet ditches and seepage areas" - Coosa Spiny River Crayfish, Faxonius spinosus - Thornytail Crayfish, Lacunicambarus acanthura: a burrower - White Tubercled Crayfish, Procambarus spiculifer

All seven are listed as "No Georgia state protection". Source: https://georgiabiodiversity.org/ga_all4/taxlist/cnty/13291/crayfish (the page's embedded data table, fetched by curl)

Lumpkin County (Yahoola Creek): 7 species, 2 of them state-Threatened. - Common Crayfish C. bartonii - Mountain Crayfish C. conasaugaensis - Etowah Crayfish C. fasciatus, listed as "Threatened" (habitat: "Lotic habitats under rocks in flowing water") - Chattahoochee Crayfish C. howardi, listed as "Threatened" (habitat: "riffle areas of streams; in rocks with swift-flowing water") - Variable Crayfish C. latimanus - Knotty Burrowing C. nodosus - White Tubercled P. spiculifer

Source: https://georgiabiodiversity.org/ga_all4/taxlist/cnty/13187/crayfish These are county lists. None of them confirms a species in a particular creek.

Fewer or smaller in cold headwater trout streams? UNCONFIRMED. I found no fetched source on this. One related point: a crawfish-harvest fact sheet notes "Cool water decreases feeding activity", which suggests traps catch less in October water (my inference). Source: https://www.srac.msstate.edu/pdfs/Fact%20Sheets/2400%20Crawfish%20Production-%20Harvesting.pdf

Lake Trahlyta: the lake is drained, so this question is moot for the trip. "Lake Trahlyta is currently drained for necessary dam repairs and maintenance." (https://gastateparks.org/Vogel). Wikipedia: "Lake Trahlyta was drained in early 2026 for repairs to the dam." (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lake_Trahlyta). No refill date was found: UNCONFIRMED whether the lake holds water Oct 15-21.

The task also named USGS and Georgia Museum of Natural History crayfish lists. I did not fetch those; I used the GA DNR county lists above instead.

2. Georgia law for taking crayfish

License for crayfish: UNCONFIRMED. The license page does not say whether taking crayfish needs a license. The general rule is "Anglers age 16 and older must have a current Georgia fishing license in their possession" (https://www.eregulations.com/georgia/fishing/license-requirements). Safe play: the two licensed people do the taking (my assumption).

Protected crayfish and burrows (https://www.eregulations.com/georgia/fishing/general-regulations): - Georgia protects 20 crayfish: "58 fishes, 10 salamanders, one frog, one snail, 27 mussels, 20 crayfish" - If you catch a protected species: "please release it unharmed immediately." - The bait exception: "all native crayfish, including state protected species, can be used as bait". It holds only "as long as they are not harvested from burrows." - This exception covers bait only. Eating a protected species is not covered, so release crayfish at Yahoola (Lumpkin, two Threatened species). That advice is my assumption.

Moving live crayfish: "Bait species should never be transferred between water ways." (same page). That page has no separate rule naming crayfish transport; this is the only line found.

Trap rules. Georgia has no crayfish-trap rule in the guide. The minnow-trap rules (https://www.eregulations.com/georgia/fishing/fishing-methods): - Size: "less than 24 inches in length, 18 inches in width" (rectangular trap) - Throat: "The throat opening must be no larger than 1 inch" - Tag: "Each minnow trap must have an attached tag or float bearing the name and address of trap owner." - Number: "An individual may deploy up to 2 traps at any time." - Where: "In addition to designated trout waters, minnow seines and traps may not be used" (the page then lists other banned waters). So minnow traps are barred in trout waters. - Trout rules say the same: "Seining or trapping bait-fish is not allowed in any trout stream." (https://www.eregulations.com/georgia/fishing/trout-fishing) - Checking: "Anglers are encouraged to check all gear within 24 hours" (general-regulations page) - Whether a crawdad trap counts as a "minnow trap" under these rules: UNCONFIRMED. Every creek on this trip is trout water (section 4), so ask DNR before setting a trap. DNR's Wildlife Conservation Section is listed as "(706) 557-3213" (general-regulations page).

Bait you may use / daily limit for crayfish: UNCONFIRMED. No crayfish bag limit was found. The minnow-trap limit "Up to 50 nongame fish 5 inches in length or less" covers fish, not crayfish (fishing-methods page).

Catching by hand: UNCONFIRMED. The guide's hand-capture rule covers fish (noodling). I found no line on hand-catching crayfish.

3. Licenses (2026-2027 guide, effective July 1, 2026)

Prices from https://www.eregulations.com/georgia/fishing/recreational-fishing-license-fees, cross-checked against the GA DNR price sheet marked "Updated May 2025": - Fishing: resident annual "$15.00"; nonresident annual "$50.00"; nonresident one-day "$10.00", each additional day "$3.50". - Resident one-day fishing: the page lists "see combo". The combo hunting and fishing one-day is "$5.00", +"$1.00" per additional day. - Trout (also needs a fishing license): resident annual "$10.00", one-day "$5.00", additional day "$1.00". Nonresident annual "$25.00", one-day "$10.00", additional day "$2.00". - No 3-day product. Three days = one-day + 2 additional days. - Nonresident, my arithmetic: fishing $17 + trout $14 = $31. - Resident, my arithmetic: combo $7 + trout $7 = $14. - Plus fees: "Transaction fees apply: $3 online and at retail outlets; and $5 by telephone." - Who needs a trout license: "All resident anglers ages 16 and older must have a trout license and Georgia fishing license". Nonresidents under 16: "Nonresidents under 16 do not require a fishing license or trout license." (license-requirements page) - Where to buy: - Vogel: "There is a Georgia DNR hunting/fishing license kiosk available in the visitor's center." (https://gastateparks.org/Vogel/Fishing) - Online: the license page names GoOutdoorsGeorgia.com only for lifetime licenses ("can be purchased online at GoOutdoorsGeorgia.com"). That it sells regular licenses is UNCONFIRMED on a fetched page; the "$3 online" fee implies online sales. - Walmart Blairsville as a license agent: UNCONFIRMED. - State park extras: - "Guests 16 or older must possess a Georgia fishing license" (Vogel fishing page) - "A parking fee is required." (amount not shown) (https://gastateparks.org/Vogel) - "Fishing in the stream through the park is permitted with a trout stamp." (Vogel fishing page) - Trout license in park lakes: "State park visitors are not required to have a trout license to fish in the impounded waters of the Park." But: "those visitors wishing to harvest trout will need to have a trout license in their possession." (license-requirements page) - Moot this trip while the lake is drained.

4. Trout rules on our creeks

Designated trout waters. Union County list (https://www.eregulations.com/georgia/fishing/trout-streams-destinations-by-county): - "Coosa Cr. watershed" is listed, plus a catch-all: "and all other streams or parts of streams not listed above, except: Butternut Cr. watershed," - Upper East Fork Coosa Creek: trout water (Coosa Cr. watershed). - West Fork Wolf Creek and Calf Stump Branch are not named. They are trout water under the catch-all unless they drain to Butternut Creek. Which watershed they drain to is UNCONFIRMED. - DNR stocks "West Fork Wolf Creek" (Union) with trout (stocking list below), which supports treating it as trout water (my inference). - Yahoola Creek (Lumpkin): "Yahoola Cr. watershed upstream from GA Hwy 52." Whether Yahoola Creek Park (Dahlonega) is upstream of GA 52 is UNCONFIRMED. - Lake Trahlyta: not on the county list. Drained.

Season: "All designated trout waters are now open year round." (https://www.eregulations.com/georgia/fishing/trout-fishing)

Creel limit: trout (brook, rainbow, brown, hybrids) daily limit "8". Sunfish/bream daily limit "50". (https://www.eregulations.com/georgia/fishing/game-species-daily-limits)

Bait and lure rules: - "It is unlawful to use live fish for bait in trout streams." (trout-fishing page) - The artificial-only list names "Chattahoochee River... Coleman River, Conasauga River, Hoods Creek, Jones Creek, Mountaintown Creek, Noontootla Creek, Stanley Creek, and Walnut Fork Creek". No trip creek is on it. - The delayed-harvest list (Amicalola, Chattahoochee, Chattooga, Smith, Toccoa) has no trip creek either. - These two lists come from the fetch tool's page summary, not a verbatim line.

Stocking. 2026 GA DNR stocking sheet (https://georgiawildlife.com/sites/default/files/wrd/pdf/trout/2026%20Trout%20Stocking%20Frequencies%20050726.pdf, read with pdftotext): - "Trout stocking begins in March and continues through October." - "West Fork Wolf Creek Union" is in Table 2: "Stocked twice each month from April-Labor Day." The double asterisk means "Stocked twice each month until July 4th, once each month afterward" - So no stocking after Labor Day is listed; October fish are holdovers or wild (my inference). - "Wolf Creek Union" (the Vogel creek) has a single asterisk: "Stocked weekly until July 4th, not stocked afterward" - "Vogel Lake Union": "Currently under construction. Will be stocked once per month in Fall/Winter when complete" - Coosa Creek, Calf Stump Branch and Yahoola Creek do not appear on the sheet (text search, 0 hits).

Wild trout or any fish at our reaches in October flow: UNCONFIRMED.

5. Cheapest working kit for two mini rods

From GA DNR's trout page (https://georgiawildlife.com/fishing/trout): - Line and terminal tackle: "spooled with 4-pound-test monofilament, a small hook and a few BB-sized split shots" - Natural baits: "Bump salmon eggs, corn, worms or crickets slowly along the bottom of pools." - Spinners: "If you prefer to cast spinners, Panther Martins and rooster tails work great."

Corn: DNR's own trout page lists it as a bait. I found no rule banning it on general trout streams. It is not an artificial lure, so it is barred only on artificial-only waters, and none of ours is one.

From Zebco (https://www.zebco.com/academy/ready-tackle-hub/stream-trout): - Line: "light spinning combo spooled with 4–6 lb monofilament" - Hooks: "size 8–10 hooks with live worms" - Spinners: "Small inline spinners in gold or silver"

Shopping list, under $20 (prices UNCONFIRMED): - 1 spool 4 lb mono - 1 pack size 8-10 hooks - 1 pack BB split shot - 1-2 small inline spinners - 1 can corn - Worms or crickets - Bait and live worms at Vogel: "There is bait and live worms available for purchase in the visitor's center." (Vogel fishing page) - Walmart Blairsville items and prices: UNCONFIRMED. Walmart.com search listings only, not fetched pages and not store stock.

No-rod hand line: UNCONFIRMED (no source fetched). The usual idea is a soda can or stick wound with 4 lb mono, a split shot and a size 8 hook with a worm, drifted into pools.

6. Crawdad method

Trap bait: - "Shad, menhaden and carp attract crawfish better than other natural fish baits." (SRAC fact sheet 2400, https://www.srac.msstate.edu/pdfs/Fact%20Sheets/2400%20Crawfish%20Production-%20Harvesting.pdf) - Same sheet: "Crawfish traps do not have bait protection containers as do crab or lobster traps because they reduce the catch." Over 15 words; the short part is "do not have bait protection containers". - Hot dog, bacon, canned cat food or chicken: UNCONFIRMED (no fetched source).

Soak time: UNCONFIRMED. GA DNR asks you to check gear within 24 hours (section 2).

Where to set in a mountain creek: the Union habitat lines point to rocks and woody debris, riffles and swift rocky runs (section 1 quotes). That is my inference for placement. Trap legality in trout water is still UNCONFIRMED (section 2).

Daytime hand catching under rocks: UNCONFIRMED as a method source. The habitat lines ("Riffle areas of streams under rocks") show where they hide. Do not dig into burrows; the bait exception requires "they are not harvested from burrows."

Keeping and purging: UNCONFIRMED (no fetched source).

Cooking safety (CDC, https://www.cdc.gov/paragonimus/about/index.html): - "Never eat raw freshwater crabs or crayfish." - "Cook crabs and crayfish to at least 145°F (~63°C)." - How people get sick: "eats raw or undercooked infected crab or crayfish." The illness comes from a lung fluke (paragonimiasis); cases are "associated with ingestion of uncooked crawfish during river raft float trips in Missouri."

Boil time: UNCONFIRMED (the source page returned HTTP 410).

7. Camp fire and cooking on the Chattahoochee NF

From the USFS alerts page (https://www.fs.usda.gov/r08/chattahoochee-oconee/alerts, fetched 2026-10-08): - "Campfire restrictions on the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest have been lifted effective May 4, 2026." - The page's fire danger reading was "Low". - No alert names Coosa Bald, Coosa Backcountry Trail, FS 107 or Wolf Creek. - Blue Ridge Ranger District phone: "has been changed to 706-745-6928". - Status can change before Oct 17: recheck the alerts page the day before the hike. - Standing dispersed-camping fire rules (where a fire is allowed, stove vs. open fire): UNCONFIRMED, not fetched.

UNCONFIRMED items (17)

Fewer or smaller crayfish in cold headwaters
Lake Trahlyta refill date
License needed to take crayfish
Whether a crawdad trap counts as a "minnow trap" (barred in trout waters)
Crayfish daily limit
Legality of hand-catching crayfish
GoOutdoorsGeorgia sells regular licenses (only lifetime sales quoted)
Walmart Blairsville sells licenses
Which watershed West Fork Wolf Creek and Calf Stump Branch drain to (Coosa vs Butternut)
Whether Yahoola Creek Park is upstream of GA 52
Wild trout or fish present at our reaches in October flow
Walmart Blairsville items and prices
Hand-line setup
Hot dog, bacon, cat food and chicken as trap bait
Trap soak time
Purge and keeping method; boil time
Standing NF campfire rules for dispersed camps

Calls that would settle 3-6, 9 and 10: GA DNR Fisheries (Gainesville office), or the Wildlife Conservation Section at (706) 557-3213 (quoted above).

What we are bringing: two cheap mini rods, two crawdad traps, and two people holding Georgia licences (Jordan, 2026-10-08).

Item	Jordan	Nik	Nathan	Hilton	Jarred	Group
Base-camp tents, 2x (already owned)	✓	✓	✓	?	?	no cost
Camp chairs	$	✓	✓	?	?	each
Camp cooking pan, non-stick	$	✓	$	?	?	covered
Camp/creek shoes (evening, base camp)	✓	✓	✓	?	?	each
Clothesline + clothespins	✓	$	$	?	?	covered
Cooler, 48-quart wheeled	$	$	$	?	?	HOLE · need 1
Dish tub + scrub sponge	$	$	$	?	?	HOLE · need 1
Folding cutting board	$	$	$	?	?	HOLE · need 1
Ground tarp	$	$	$	?	?	HOLE · need 1
LED camp lantern	$	✓	✓	?	?	covered
Propane cylinders, 16.4oz, 2-pack	$	$	$	?	?	HOLE · need 1
Sit pad	$	✓	✓	?	?	each
Trekking poles	$	✓	✓	?	?	each
Two-burner propane camp stove	$	✓	$	?	?	covered
Vinyl picnic table cover	$	$	$	?	?	HOLE · need 1

Georgia Gold Trip — Oct 15–21, 2026 · Vogel State Park base camp

Emergency

2026-10-15 — Arrive, set camp, Helton Creek Falls, stargazing at Brasstown Bald

2026-10-16 — Dahlonega: mine tour, lunch, pan Yahoola Creek

2026-10-17 — Walk from Vogel over Burnett Gap, pan West Fork Wolf Creek, over Calf Stomp Gap, camp at Calf Stump Branch

2026-10-18 — Morning pan, Roaring Fork Trail, off-trail down to CAMP-U on East Fork Coosa Creek

2026-10-19 — Break camp, leave Vogel for home

2026-10-20 — Free day — no fixed route (see the Playground tab)

2026-10-21 — Break camp, pack out, depart

The three creeks

Cheat sheet

Sleep system — pick a temperature rating (counts toward Overnight/backcountry: personal)

Consumables

Food

Ready-made plans

Every place, by kind

Camps, junctions and trailheads — and the ways on from each

Water

Nearest store, gas and food to each trailhead

Everything named in the area

Cheat sheet — the ten lines that matter

The detail — tap a line to open it

Item	Jordan	Nik	Nathan	Hilton	Jarred	Group
Backpack, 40-60L	✓	✓	✓	?	?	each
Base layer top+bottom (doubles as sleep layer)	$	✓	✓	?	?	each
Blaze orange hat/vest (required, deer season)	✓	✓	$	?	?	each
Dry sack (sleep system)	$	✓	✓	?	?	each
Fleece / active midlayer	$	✓	✓	?	?	each
Headlamp	$	✓	✓	?	?	each
Hiking footwear (worn)	$	✓	✓	?	?	each
Hiking pants (worn, no cotton)	$	✓	✓	?	?	each
Hiking socks, per pair (bring 3)	✓	✓	✓	?	?	each
Insulated puffy jacket	$	✓	✓	?	?	each
Knife / multitool	$	✓	✓	?	?	each
Light liner gloves (cold mornings)	$	✓	✓	?	?	each
Pack liner (waterproof)	$	✓	✓	?	?	each
Pack towel / bandana	✓	✓	$	?	?	each
Personal toiletries/hygiene kit	$	✓	$	?	?	each
Pillow	$	✓	✓	?	?	each
Power bank	$	✓	✓	?	?	each
Rain jacket	$	✓	✓	?	?	each
SOL Emergency Bivvy	–	–	$	?	?	each
Sleep bag (30F)	✓	✓	✓	?	?	each
Sleep pad (30F)	$	✓	✓	?	?	each
Spork / utensil	$	✓	✓	?	?	each
Tent footprint / groundsheet	$	✓	✓	?	?	each
Tent/shelter (personal, 1-person tent, one per hiker)	$	✓	✓	?	?	each
Warm hat / beanie	$	✓	✓	?	?	each
Water bottle	✓	✓	$	?	?	each

Item	Jordan	Nik	Nathan	Hilton	Jarred	Group
Bear-proof food storage (group/shared item)	$	$	$	?	?	HOLE · need 1
Cathole trowel (shared)	✓	✓	$	?	?	covered
Cook pot (group/shared item)	✓	✓	✓	?	?	covered
First aid kit (group/shared item, overnight-size)	✓	✓	✓	?	?	covered
Fuel canister (group/shared item)	$	✓	✓	?	?	covered
National Geographic Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest paper map	$	$	$	?	?	HOLE · need 2
Offline navigation / maps	✓	✓	✓	?	?	covered
Paracord 100ft	✓	$	$	?	?	covered
Repair kit	✓			?	?	covered
Repair kit: Tenacious Tape, Therm-a-Rest pad patch kit, duct tape, zip ties		$	$	?	?	HOLE · need 1
Satellite messenger (group/shared item)	$	–	$	?	?	HOLE · need 1
Stove (group/shared item)	✓	✓	✓	?	?	covered
Suunto A-10 baseplate compass	✓	$	$	?	?	covered
Water filter (group/shared item)	–	✓	✓	?	?	covered

Item	Jordan	Nik	Nathan	Hilton	Jarred	Group
Classifier (base camp; share one on the trail)	$	$	✓	?	?	covered
Crevice tools	✓	$	✓	?	?	covered
Gold pan	$	$	✓	?	?	covered
Gold vials	✓	$	✓	?	?	covered
Insulated waterproof panning gloves	✓	✓	✓	?	?	each
Knee pad	✓	✓	$	?	?	each
Magnifier / loupe	✓	✓	✓	?	?	covered
Neoprene wading socks	✓	✓	–	?	?	each
Rock pick / mining hammer	✓			?	?	each
Small trowel (CNF-legal	✓			?	?	each
Small trowel (CNF-legal: hand pan + trowel only)		✓	✓	?	?	covered
Snuffer bottle	$	$	✓	?	?	covered
Tweezers + magnetic pickup tool + spray bottle for panning	$	$	$	?	?	HOLE · need 1
Waders (Jordan wants them; plan only needs shin-deep, but his call)	✓	✓	✓	?	?	each

Item	Jordan	Nik	Nathan	Hilton	Jarred	Group
Anti-chafe balm	$	✓	✓	?	?	each
Aquatabs water purification tablets, 30-pack (backup to Sawyer filter)	✓	$	$	?	?	covered
BIC lighters, 4-pack	$	✓	$	?	?	covered
Biodegradable camp soap	✓	✓	✓	?	?	covered
Foam ear plugs, multi-pack	$	$	$	?	?	HOLE · need 1
Hand sanitizer, travel bottles	$	$	$	?	?	HOLE · need 1
Leukotape P + moleskin blister kit	$	✓	$	?	?	each
Lip balm with SPF	$	✓	$	?	?	each
Lithium AA/AAA spare batteries + charging cable pack	$	$	$	?	?	each
Permethrin clothing treatment spray	✓	$	$	?	?	covered
Picaridin skin repellent	✓	✓	$	?	?	each
Sunscreen, SPF 30+ travel size	$	✓	$	?	?	each
Tick remover tool	✓			?	?	each
Toilet paper, compressed camp rolls	$	$	$	?	?	HOLE · need 1
Toothbrush + travel toothpaste	$	✓	$	?	?	each
Trash bags, heavy-duty contractor bags	$	$	$	?	?	HOLE · need 1
UCO Stormproof Match Kit	✓	$	✓	?	?	covered
Wet wipes, travel pack	✓	$	$	?	?	each

Item	Jordan	Nik	Nathan	Hilton	Jarred	Group
Beef jerky, multi-pack	$	$	$	?	?	HOLE · need 1
Car-camp grocery run (est.)	$	$	$	?	?	HOLE · need 1
Dehydrated backpacking dinners	$	$	✓	?	?	covered
Energy/granola bars, box	$	$	$	?	?	HOLE · need 1
Flour tortillas, burrito size, 16ct pack	$	$	$	?	?	HOLE · need 1
Instant coffee packets	$	$	$	?	?	HOLE · need 1
Instant oatmeal, variety packets	$	$	$	?	?	HOLE · need 1
Peanut butter squeeze packets	$	$	$	?	?	HOLE · need 1
Trail mix, bulk bag	$	$	$	?	?	HOLE · need 1
Tuna single-serve pouches	$	$	$	?	?	HOLE · need 1

File	What it is
Gear_Picker.xlsx	Pick Budget/Value/Premium per row; Dashboard totals update live (open in Excel)
BUY_LIST.md	Same list as the Buy tab, plain text
RUNDOWN.html	Full ~20-page guide (also RUNDOWN.md)
map3d.html	3D map (Map tab), GPS dot, works offline in the Android app
trip-map.html	2D detail map, layers, legality banners
ga-gold-trip.apk	Android app (offline hub + 3D map + topo tiles, ~150 MB). Install: open on the phone, allow unknown apps
trip.gpx	Waypoints for Gaia / CalTopo / OnX offline
PLAN.md	Facts, decisions, open items