This is a longer variation on the Skylake / Richard Russell Scenic Highway. There are many, many intersections and turns on this ride, so having a detailed map of the area is helpful.
Go south on highway 60 from Suches to the rock pile (a stone monument at the intersection of 60 and 19). There is only one legal passing area in this stretch of road, about a mile south of Suches, just after exiting a deceptive double radius right hand turn, and before Woody Gap, where the Appalachian trail crosses 60. There are several viewpoints along 60 , including Woody Gap nad Dockery Lake. Turn left at the rock pile and proceed 3 miles on Highway 19, then turn right onto Damascus Church Road. Continue for 3 miles, then start slowing at the sign marking the White County line and prepare to make a sharp left turn onto Paradise Valley Road. This is a tight road, with many gravel roads and driveways feeding into it, so approach blind curves with care.
At the end of Paradise Valley Road, turn right onto highway 129 , and continue 3 miles, then turn left onto Alt-75. After about 3 miles, turn right onto Asbestos Road. After about 2 miles, turn left onto Joe Black Road, which ends at highway 75. Turn left on 75 (toward Helen). After about 2 miles, turn right onto highway 17 (just past the Sautee Indian Mound) then left on 255. Turn left into Skylake Road, and stop at the Skylake Country Store for lunch. Save room for hot cobbler or a root beer float.
After lunch, continue on 255 until it dead ends at highway 356. Turn right (away from Unicoi State Park) and continue on 356 until it dead ends at 197, then turn left. Take 197 northward until it intersects 76, then turn right toward Clayton. Gas up in Clayton. Then backtrack to the center of town and turn left, toward Tiger. Bear right at the fork in the road, and continue toward Lake Burton. This is a nice route in hot weather, as it is mostly shaded, and follows the shore of Lake Burton. However, there may be a lot of weekend traffic, and the road becomes very tight in places, and there may be some sand or gravel on some of the turns. This road ends at highway 197; turn left on 197, then right on 356, toward Unicoi State Park. If you want to take a hiking break, turn right to visit Anna Ruby falls, but be warned that the hike to the falls is fairly steep, although the path is good.
Highway 356 ends at 17/75. Unless you enjoy kitsch, avoid Helen, and turn right. After approximately 1 mile, turn left onto Alt-75, go 2 miles, then right onto the Richard Russell Scenic Highway. There is another waterfall, Dukes Creek Falls, with a less strenuous path. The marked turnoff leads to paid parking area; about a half mile further on is a free parking area (easily identifiable by cars parked along the road), which also has a trail that leads to the falls. Approach this area slowly, as there is usually heavy pedestrian traffic. 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 area). 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 to 180.
Highway 180, also known as Wolf Pen Gap road, 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 a few lives, each year. Know your limits. Past Lake Winfield Scott population density starts to increase as you approach the community of Suches. Please observe speed limits through here, and watch out for cars and trucks coming out of driveways, as well as for children and other pedestrians. Highway 180 ends at 60, where a left turn takes you back to T.W.O.
Copyright © Selden Deemer, 2006