For several years I've wanted to devise a route that includes this intriguingly named road, and finally found the time to do so over Labor Day weekend, 2002. It's only 91 miles from start to finish, but manages to include some of the most out of the way and least travelled roads in the mountains.
There are only three ways out from Two Wheels Only, and this route starts with Georgia's famous highway 180, Wolf Pen Gap road, which packs 125 turns into 11 miles. There are no legal passing areas on the eastern side of the mountain. There are two legal passing zones on either side of Lake Winfield Scott, on the western side of the mountain. At the very top -- Wolf Pen Gap -- there is a sharp and dangerous turn. It is marked 10 mph -- heed the sign. This road can be intensely enjoyable. It also claims many bikes, and often a few lives, each year. Know your limits.
When you reach the end of 180, turn left on 19/129 and go north for 4 miles, then turn right at the CITGO station onto Booger Hollow. Alternatively, go a half mile further and have breakfast at Pappy's on a weekend. Booger Hollow Road runs for less than 2 miles before dead-ending at Town Creek School Road (unsigned). Turn right, then immediately left on Lower Trackrock Road, and continue for 1.6 miles, then turn right on to Trackrock Gap Road for 4 miles and turn right onto Plott Town Road. After 1 mile Plott Town road forks; take the left fork until it runs into highway 76. Turn right on 76 and continue through Young Harris. This is about the only "populated" part of this route. After about 6.5 miles on 76, turn right on highway 288 for 5.7 miles until it runs into 76 again. Turn right, then quickly right again on 17/75 for 3.5 miles. Turn right on Owl Creek road for 4 miles until it dead ends at 180. Left on 180 until it runs back into 17/75 (there is no point to this route except to stay off the main roads, avoid traffic, and enjoy the twisties). Turn right on 17/75 for 10 miles. Use the first half of this distance features a passing lane as the road climbs sharply toward Unicoi Gap, elevation 2949 feet, where the Appalachian Trail crosses the highway. After passing through the gap, the passing lane is one the other side, so if you find yourself behind traffic at this point, you're going to stay that way for a while.
Approaching Helen, turn right on highway 75 for 2 miles, then right on highway 348, the Richard Russell Scenic Parkway. A few miles into the RRSH, there is a turnoff to Dukes Creek Falls, which has a paid parking area, and is well worth a stop. There are several scenic turnouts at the higher elevations of the Richard Russell Scenic Highway -- stop and enjoy the view. After crossing the Appalachian Trail, the road descends steeply, then levels out into an upland valley before ending at highway 180. Turn left on 180, then left again where it intersects highway 129. One mile on the right is the Sunrise Grocery and gas station (which generally has the cheapest prices in the region). Fill up before continuing south for 2 miles on 129, then turn right onto highway 180. Highway 129 widens to include a passing lane just before the turnoff to 180; avoid the temptation to use the passing lane and build up a lot of speed or you will overshoot the turn.
Copyright © Selden Deemer, 2002