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Old 03-26-2017, 06:30 PM   #1
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So anyone know the scoop on the 25% grade into Animicalola Falls State Park in GA?

Is the grade really 25% and if so for what distance? Has anyone towed their Airstream to Amicalola Falls and if so would you share details such as length of your AS and strength of your beast, I mean TV? And lastly, is there anything about this State Park that might outweigh any risk to the rig or not?

Sounds like a very steep grade considering most mountain roads seem to average maybe an 8 to 10% grade. Interestingly, even the reservation agent couldn't say the distance. The adrenaline of the ride sounds like fun...repairs and a trip cut short not so much.

Thanks
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Old 03-26-2017, 06:41 PM   #2
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25%??? Going up might be tough but coming back down is where the real thrill will be!
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Old 03-26-2017, 06:52 PM   #3
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Amicalola SP

Well it actually looks like a 25% grade. Attached is a profile for the 2 mile distance, with a gain of about 1,000 feet. That would be 13% grade. But as you can see, most of the gain is in the middle mile, or a grade of 25% for one mile. I am not sure I would want to try that. If you go, let us know what it is like!
PS the DeLorme Topo North America program is worth the $100 cost for things like this.
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Old 03-26-2017, 06:52 PM   #4
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Got my attention1 Apparently the 25% grade is for about a mile, and larger RV's and trailers are not recommended according to some of the user reviews.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amical...lls_State_Park
https://gastateparks.reserveamerica....&parkId=530284
http://www.campgroundreviews.com/regions...ate-park-lodge

Doesn't look too bad IMO:

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Old 03-27-2017, 06:39 AM   #5
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I've stayed there in a 30 foot Avion. It is a very steep grade but it was not a problem. I'm pulling with a diesel and just chugged my way up. I want slow coming down in low gear to conserve brakes. Campground itself is very nice. Some sites are cut into the hill
And have wood bulkheads. Others have decks hanging off the side. The lodge had a great buffet that I highly recommend. Here is the view from the lodge and the falls. Click image for larger version

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Old 03-27-2017, 11:08 AM   #6
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One can make it with the Airstream in tow. However, another option is to leave your trailer at nearby Top of Georgia Airstream Park.
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Old 03-27-2017, 12:04 PM   #7
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Thumbs up 25% grade

I just watched the video. I haul a 30 foot Avion up the Cherohala Skyway to the Indian Boundry Campground....lots of ups and down and curves.....pulled by our 99 Suburban low gear.....and have no problem. I would do Animicalola Falls anyday!!! From the video it looks like it doesnt have the ups and downs of CS.
Cherohala Skyway: 900 feet above sea level at the Tellico River in Tennessee to over 5400 feet above sea level
http://www.cherohala.org/
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Old 03-27-2017, 12:14 PM   #8
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We left the sterile confines of the Airstream Park, great people but park is not much to write home about, and drove our 28' 1984 Classic 6 cylinder Isuzu diesel motor home up to Animicalola Falls State Park and I am still here to write about it. Well worth the ride, park is beautiful. Take it slow,enjoy the scenery.
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Old 03-27-2017, 01:24 PM   #9
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Just watched the video clip. All I can say is, somebody jerkin' yer chain if they call that a 25% grade. Topography of the hill may be 25%, but the road itself is practically a main highway compared to many less traveled roads in the western mtns. Example: state hy. 153 in Utah between Junction and Beaver. It crosses over a mesa, the elevation of which is over 10,000 ft (still not the highest road in UT). The eastern side of the mesa is an escarpment with an incline I'd estimate of at least 45 degrees. The road, hardly what you'd call a highway in most other parts of the country, traverses back and forth across the escarpment, making 180 degree "U" turns every few hundred yards. Traveling it a night is a trip. Hitting the "U" turns, your headlights just shine out into nothingness. Reminded me of landing approach in a small airplane; lights on but ain't nothing below! Oh yeah, almost forgot...it's not paved either. Too steep for paving equipment. That road at Amicalola SP can't be any more than a 10% grade at its steepest section as it winds up the hill. As long as you have room to turn around at the top, I can't see any reason why an AS would trouble climbing it.
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Old 03-27-2017, 01:41 PM   #10
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We've done it numerous times. 34 footer with F250 diesel. It's not so steep for very long. We've seen much worse out west, in fact there are state parks in Georgia with longer pulls, pretty steep. Use low gear coming down. Engine braking helps.
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Old 03-27-2017, 02:00 PM   #11
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Jeez, I did a 16% grade on a motorcycle and felt like I was going over the handlebars! It had switchbacks.
Now, steep grades are doable if the road is straight and sleep for a short run. "look out, here I come!"
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Old 03-27-2017, 02:27 PM   #12
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I live on a mountain with a grade up it where parts are as steep or steeper than that - drive it a couple of times per week. There's a longer road down the backside of mountain that isn't as steep that I use to take heavy equipment up and down - learned the hard way - had to replace clutches in transmission pulling heavy tractor and trailer up steep grade (overheated), but my Airstream is an easy pull.
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Old 03-27-2017, 02:52 PM   #13
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,The video that came up after the posted one, was much more entertaining.
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Old 03-27-2017, 04:03 PM   #14
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Im biting my tongue right now.
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Old 03-27-2017, 04:15 PM   #15
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Yes, we watched that video and didn't think it looked so bad. Although we wondered if the driver was just checking it out without a trailer in tow or not. That's where the difference matters.
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Old 03-27-2017, 04:20 PM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by RAH View Post
. . .
PS the DeLorme Topo North America program is worth the $100 cost for things like this.
Thanks for the graph, and reminder about this great publisher. Their hard copy Atlases are top notch!

FYI various threads here about their products:

https://www.google.com/search?q=delo...=airforums.com

Wow, Garmin bought out DeLorme!

http://info.delorme.com/

Maps: https://buy.garmin.com/en-US/US/p/575993
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Old 03-27-2017, 04:37 PM   #17
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 369goose View Post
Is the grade really 25% and if so for what distance? Has anyone towed their Airstream to Amicalola Falls and if so would you share details such as length of your AS and strength of your beast, I mean TV? And lastly, is there anything about this State Park that might outweigh any risk to the rig or not?

Sounds like a very steep grade considering most mountain roads seem to average maybe an 8 to 10% grade. Interestingly, even the reservation agent couldn't say the distance. The adrenaline of the ride sounds like fun...repairs and a trip cut short not so much.

Thanks
I drove up a couple weeks ago- steep and campground is pretty sad- small, pads are rough, gravel/cement; I did not think I would camp there. Unicoi, north of Helen is much flatter, nice wooded campsites, some with sewer;I suggest you look at that one.
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Old 03-27-2017, 08:28 PM   #18
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I'm a GA gal... and love Amicalola lodge and falls... I camp at Vogel State Park and leave my camper there, while I explore. I wouldn't take my AS up there... I'm sure I'd make it up... but my brakes would take a beating coming back down.
The lodge had a great restaurant when I was there but that's been years ago.
There's also Unicoi State Park, with Anna Ruby Falls. And it has good camping ⛺️
BTW, I love "Top of GA airstream park. And activities get started in April
Safe travels..
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Old 03-27-2017, 08:48 PM   #19
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 369goose View Post
Is the grade really 25% and if so for what distance? Has anyone towed their Airstream to Amicalola Falls and if so would you share details such as length of your AS and strength of your beast, I mean TV? And lastly, is there anything about this State Park that might outweigh any risk to the rig or not?

Sounds like a very steep grade considering most mountain roads seem to average maybe an 8 to 10% grade. Interestingly, even the reservation agent couldn't say the distance. The adrenaline of the ride sounds like fun...repairs and a trip cut short not so much. Thanks
____________________________________
I've driven it without my AS and it was steep, but 25% I just don't know. 25% would mean in 100' of length you would gain 25' in elevation. My GMC/AS combo is 50' bumper to bumper, so in two lengths of my combo to gain nearly 3x my AS height is really something. I wonder who measured it and how they arrived at 25%. Or in the 1 steep mile you would have to gain 1320'in additional elevation; I think I'll have to drive over to Amicalola and check the grade against the tilt gauge on my GMC dash. Anyway, on dry pavement in 1st gear any V8 or diesel should pull a trailer up there and remember to come down in the gear you went up in. Maneuvering around the campground loop is entirely another thing with a long trailer. We are Top of Georgia Airstream members and prefer reasonable flat spots to park our AS. We go up to Amicalola Falls unhooked.
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Old 03-27-2017, 09:17 PM   #20
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No Big Deal

We did this with a Tundra and 27FB with no problems. Just take your time - especially on the downhill. The RV sites up there were very nice and worth the mini-adventure getting up and down.

P.S. Would not advise doing in ice or snow.
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