Cheese Factory??

[Sierra Echo]

According to my A.T guide, situated between Tray Mountain and Indian Grave Gap in Georgia, there is a a small blue blazed trail that leads to the former site of a cheese factory? Has anyone seen this and is it worth the side trip to go there?

[Trailweaver]

The key word here is "site" of the old Cheese Factory. It is nothing more now than a clearing suitable for a delightful lunch break or good campsite (flat and shady). When I first saw it years ago I was so disappointed. . . I'd hiked for miles looking forward to seeing stone ruins of a building, maybe old equipment, a sign. . . but I do remember fondly removing my boots for two hours and having a great lunch, cool drink, and good conversation.

[Skidsteer]

According to my A.T guide, situated between Tray Mountain and Indian Grave Gap in Georgia, there is a a small blue blazed trail that leads to the former site of a cheese factory? Has anyone seen this and is it worth the side trip to go there?

The AT goes directly through the site. The blue blaze leads to a spring @ 70 yards to the left.

Good place to camp. The spring is quite often dry in Summer.

[Cookerhiker]

Camped there on my Georgia section hike in March '04. Nice place to camp as long as the spring is flowing.

[aaronthebugbuffet]

Some scouts were cooking cheeseburgers there once when I passed through.
The spirit of cheese lives.

[FritztheCat]

Great place to camp! If you go through the patches of Rhodeddendron (don't know how to spell that), there are a few smaller spots that are simply beautiful.

[Sierra Echo]

But I wanted a building to run screaming around in like a 5 yr old! How disappointing! *sniff*

[CrumbSnatcher]

camped at the cheese factory 3 times in my life, great tenting & good water

[Maddog]

But I wanted a building to run screaming around in like a 5 yr old! How disappointing! *sniff*

I was disappointed too!

[mudhead]

But I wanted a building to run screaming around in like a 5 yr old! How disappointing! *sniff*

Sniff? Sounds like cup o' cheese time.

[Sassafras Lass]

But I wanted a building to run screaming around in like a 5 yr old! How disappointing! *sniff*

LOL! My thoughts exactly - I couldn't believe I'd pushed on from . . . what was it, Low Gap shelter? Met Gordon the AT supporter extraordinaire before Tray Mt., then came to . . . . nothing. Although if you go before the leaves are on the trees, you'll have the best view of the stars, absolutely gorgeous! And plenty of camping amongst the rhodedendrons.

[Skidsteer]

But I wanted a building to run screaming around in like a 5 yr old! How disappointing! *sniff*

That pretty much describes how thru-hikers behave in shelters.

[Sly]

According to my A.T guide.....

See what you're missing...

Cheese Factory Site—In the mid-1800s, an eccentric New Englander established a dairy
near Tray Mountain, about 15 miles from the nearest farmhouse. Other Georgians,
who received parcels in the mountains after a government survey of former Indian
lands in the 1830s, opted to sell their land to speculators rather than attempt to tame
the untamable. For several years, the man ran his dairy successfully and reportedly
produced a superior cheese that won several awards at state agricultural fairs. Little
evidence of the dairy remains today, although the spot is a designated campsite with
a spring.

[Sierra Echo]

See what you're missing...

Thanks for the background info Sly!! I wonder why the dairy was closed if the cheese was that good. Or they just renamed the cheese "kraft singles" and made it somewhere else! LOL

[Skidsteer]

Thanks for the background info Sly!! I wonder why the dairy was closed if the cheese was that good. Or they just renamed the cheese "kraft singles" and made it somewhere else! LOL

You can get all that background info in the Companion.

Best way to get the Companion is to join ALDHA and you'll get the soft copy free.

It's a good cause with good bennies.

[Sly]

You can get all that background info in the Companion.

Best way to get the Companion is to join ALDHA and you'll get the soft copy free.

It's a good cause with good bennies.

Heh, heh... speaking of bennies, your check is in the mail.

[Blissful]

When I passed by, I only wished there was cheese there...like a good smoked variety. And cheese curds

[Skidsteer]

Right?....

[Skidsteer]

Heh, heh... speaking of bennies, your check is in the mail.

Woot! ....

[ChinMusic]

Skids - How easy is it to just walk by the Cheese Factory and miss it? I've only done that section once and wanted to at least stop there for awhile. Once I thought about it I realized I had passed it already.