Camping in Vogel State Park in the mountains of Northern Georgia

Beautiful reflections in Lake Trahlyta, Vogel State Park, Georgia - Photos: Still Gravity.
Lake Trahlyta in Vogel State Park, Georgia - License our images here.

This is one of the oldest state parks of this state. It's at the shadow of Blood Mountain, the highest summit crossed by the Appalachian Trail in Georgia. 

The ominous name comes from old tales of a battle between Creeks and Cherokees. There are some talks of an Indian treasure hidden up there - who wants to be looking for treasures in a place called "Bloody Mountain". 

The campground of the state park is in a beautiful setting. Two creeks run through it on a sloped terrain. Our campsite faced Wolf Creek.

Bridge over Wolf Creek in the campground of Vogel State Park, Georgia - Photo: Still Gravity.
The bridge over Wolf Creek. 

The one-mile-long trail around Lake Trahlyta was the right place for relaxing walks before sunset. There is a waterfall at the farther end - the spill over of the lake. 

Waterfall in Lake Trahlyta, Vogel State Park, Georgia - Photo: Still Gravity.
The waterfall in Lake Trahlyta. 

Trahlyta was a princess from the Eastern Band of the Cherokee Indians. The legend says that she was taken far from her home, but always dreamed on being buried in her natal mountains. Leaving this park, we passed through Stonepile Gap, the spot of her supposed grave - a pile of rocks marks the site. 

Vogel State Park also has a short and easy mountain bike trail.     

Collage of photos from the trail, the lake, and the waterfall - Photos: Still Gravity.
Lake Trahlyta, the lake seen from the trail overlook, the waterfall, and wandering outside the park. 

The hike to the Vogel Overlook was pretty cool. We got an eagle view of the park from that spot a thousand feet over Lake Trahlyta - 3,000 feet over sea level. The hike was four miles long. This trail gets moderate ratings in some hiking sites, but it wasn't that bad. 

Trail to Vogel Overlook in the state park of Georgia - Photo: Still Gravity.
The trail to Vogel Overlook.

We followed Wolf Creek on the way up and came down bordering Burnett Branch Creek. The trail crosses the creeks multiple times. Recent rains overflowed them and made the terrain muddy and slippery. 

Crossing a creek in the trail to the Overlook of Vogel State Park, Georgia - Photo: Still Gravity.
Crossing one of the creeks. 

One night, we saw the tiny spot of the International Space Station crossing the dark skies. The stars appeared so close! Dad would has loved this place in the same way that he loved this text - click the link for the whole poem. 

Green, how I want you green.
Green wind. Green branches. 
The ship out on the sea
and the horse on the mountain. 

Federico García Lorca, "Romance Sonámbulo" (Somnambulant Ballad)

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