State Route 52: snow-covered road to Ellijay, Georgia

The radio squawked, “…and overnight Ellijay received 6 to 7 inches of snow…”  “Really?”, my wife, Anne, responded towards the radio. 

Anne and me travel to Gordon, Gilmer and surrounding counties several times a year to attend the fall apple festivals, photograph the colored foliage during the Thanksgiving holiday, boating on Carters Lake in the summer, and our favorite activity, mountain biking outside of Ellijay. 

In a few minutes we made up our minds to drive north from Kennesaw, hopefully to see more snow.  The Tahoe was packed with my photography gear and extra outerwear. 

 The plan: drive north on Interstate 75, transition to Highway 411, connect onto Old 411 then turn North East up and over State Route 282 towards Ellijay.  Anne turns the engine over; we were off to our first waypoint.

We enjoy photographic opportunities along 411 and Old 411.  The distant mountainside is draped with frozen snow while falling snow softens the image to render an oil painting like canvas through the viewfinder.  It is beautiful.

Figure 1 Landscape off of Old Hwy. 411 in North Georgia  Lance Lewin Copyright 2010

We turned right onto State Route 282.  About three quarters of a mile locals flag us to a stop; two 18 wheelers are attempting to back down the narrow pass.  We looked ahead and see two other vehicles slipping on the snowy surface.  There is no passage through the maze of scattered trucks and cars; without hesitation we pull a U-turn; mumbling as we go, how this circumstance was “meant to be”, really?

Up till this point we encountered only a little more snow than in Kennesaw.  That’s a bummer, but the falling and blowing snow blanketing the area was more than enough to make Anne and me giddy with excitement, (I can’t believe I said “giddy”!).  However, the situation was about to become more exciting.

Change of plans: We detour towards Chatsworth via High Way 411 and turn onto State Route 52…the yellow road sign reads: 22 miles of Winding Road to Ellijay.  Awesome! 

After a mile the roads become white washed with snow.  Anne’s left hand reaches out and switches on the four-wheel drive.   Route 52 begins climbing steeply towards Fort Mountain; the turns add another twist, (pun intended), adding to this already hazardous climb.  The snow falls heavier the farther we proceed.  We encounter two felled trees, which Anne easily negotiates. A mile past the Fort Mountain Park entrance we stop.  We are alone.

Figure 2 Rt. 52 near Fort Mountain State Park, North Georgia   Lance Lewin Copyright 2010

Stepping outside we sink 10 inches into the snow.  Twenty-four inch drifts line the left shoulder.  The swirling white snow and twenty degree temperatures cast eerie greenish-grey colors through the frigid air.  The storm permeates throughout the forest whistling as it travels; the trees stand tall like soldiers in a parade glistering with frosted snow draping their limbs.  The air is crisp, clean; the scene is surreal.

In Ellijay, we share our tale with the owners of “Royall’s Place” and the few folks who have walked in to find warmth, good food and friendly smiles.  We are served hot apple pie and fresh coffee before our drive back home.

(Lance is a professional photographer and freelance writer from Kennesaw.

 To view other photographs by Lewin, visit  www.emotionalrenderings.com Copyright 2010)