Heading north from State Road 13 just east of Mount Airy, the road was poorly marked when we made the journey. Initially it moves across open farmland, where cattle graze in front of scenic vistas. This area, Habersham County, is known for its apples and livestock. In fact, livestock production has tripled in the last 20 years. As the road approaches 365/23 it flattens before rising to the mountains.

Scenic 197 divides the city of Clarkesville in two. The largest city on the journey, it has a population of 1151(1990 Census). 197 winds through downtown, but is well marked. The beautiful campus of North Georgia Technical Institute is just north of downtown on the highway.

North of 365/23 Route 197 takes on an entirely different persona. The dips and rises shorten and are more dramatic, and turns, almost 90 degrees and some unmarked are a major part of the road. The road follows the Soque River and small arts and crafts shops pop up every couple of miles. One of these stores is a converted grist mill called "Mark of the Potter." Owned and operated by Jay Bucek, Mark(as he fondly calls the shop) has taken up most of his time since he bought it in 1985. Although the current mill was built in the 1930's a mill has existed on the site since the early 1820's, shortly after Habersham County was created.

At Batesville the road takes a more northerly route, crossing and leaving the Soque and heading to the mountains of Rabun County. As it approaches Moccasin Creek State Park one of the finest north Georgia eating establishments sits on a hill on the west side of the road. La Prade's is a family style restaurant that sits well with the locals, who will recommend it at the drop of hat. A marina bearing the same name sits across the road on Lake Burton. Rent a pontoon boat, fishing boat, canoe or almost anything else here on Saturday and Sunday (These are full-day rentals).

Fishermen enjoy the day at Moccasin Creek State Park

Moccasin Creek offers camping, fishing and boating on the shores of Lake Burton. The lake is named for a town that was covered when the lake was created. Lake Burton is a wide watershed lake designed to hold late winter and early spring downfalls for electric production during the hot summer. The fingers of the lake reach deep into the valleys that were flooded, offering canoeists a remarkable opportunity to paddle down the lake.

Near Moccasin Creek along route 197 is Hemlock Falls, a short(1.5 miles) hike. Although the path continues to a higher falls, and use to meet the Appalachian Trail at Addis Gap, it has not been maintained. The Lake Burton Fish Hatchery offers tours daily. It is on the other side of Moccasin Creek from the State Park. For those who like more technical infomation about Lake Burton:

• 62 miles of shoreline
• 2775.4 acres of surface at normal level, which is
• 1866 feet
• 9 miles from bridge to dam(more if you're canoeing)
• 42 species of fish

• Dick's Creek
• Moccasin Creek
• Tallulah River
• Wildcat Creek
• Souque River

As the road roams north, next to the only occasionally visible Lake Burton we near the end of our journey, U. S. 76, an old east-west road. Here in a quiet section our journey is almost over. To the right on 76 lays Clayton, Georgia, in the heart of Rabun County. To the left is Hiawassee, in Towns County. Shortly down the road to Hiawassee, is a high spot known as Popcorn Ridge. An unusual land formation created the ridge and deposited minerals near the peak. Miners worked this area for a number of years and evidence of their activity can be seen. As you look north from this federally developed roadside stop Rabun Gap is visible as well as most of the mountains in the county.

Map of Georgia's Scenic 197

Georgia S.R. 197 runs through Rabun and Habersham Counties. Here are some other interesting pages about the area.

Archives of Habersham County
Archives of Rabun County
Moccasin Creek State Park
More North Georgia Travel

Georgia songs from Itunes

Golden Ink Internet Solutions
Georgia's innovative design group
Legal Notice
Copyright Policy
Privacy Policy