Excerpt by Karen T.
Kilby Mill Falls – this was another one that took me three tries to find,
that turned out to be easy after all. This is actually a 2 stage falls, and
the trail to the lower stage is easy, the short trail to the upper falls is
not so easy – but it’s not bad.
Lake Trahlyta Falls – these falls are below the lake at Vogel State Park.
The trail starts down from the dam and is a bit steep, and near the viewing
platform not in the best shape, but not too bad.
Tiger Creek Falls – these are 2 falls on the grounds of the Tiger Creek Inn.
Talk to the proprietor and let her know you’d like to see the falls. The
upper falls are small, but pretty and are behind the lower rooms of the Inn.
The lower falls are higher, and down a long, long set of steep board steps
to a small viewing platform. They day I did them it had been raining and the
boards were wet, so I went down VERY carefully in case they were slippery –
there are handrails on both sides.
Unnamed falls Davis Creek-above Dukes Creek Falls – 2 falls – the first of
these falls is LITERALLY above Dukes Creek Falls. The short (maybe 200
yards) downhill trail comes out right on the top of the tallest falls the
feeds into Dukes Creek. There’s a nice flat area to “land” on, so it’s not
dangerous – but you do want to say out of the creek. About 30 feet or so
upstream is a smaller pretty falls. The other falls is further up the same
forest service road. You cross the creek, park immediately and walk through
the well-used camping area and the falls are just around a small curve in
the creek.
Falls on Barnes Creek – these falls are a long, steep drive up a forest
service road in the Cohutta Wilderness, but the falls themselves are in a
small picnic area and are easy to get to. There’s a side trail that goes up
a bit steeply to a viewing platform at the top of the falls.
Warwoman Dell Falls – this is a small, pretty falls at the far end of the
nature trail in Warwoman Dell, outside Clayton. The hike is easy, maybe a
little over 1/4 mile total.
Falls on Wildcat Creek – these 2 falls are right beside the forest service
road and are quite near the road that goes back to the trailhead for Hemlock
Falls. There is also a rock waterslide on the same creek that is very
popular with children.
Minnehaha Falls – this falls is a short hike from the gravel road and had
been a playground for children for generations. They are near Angel Falls &
Panther Falls.
Falls on Crow Creek Road – these are 2 falls, one easily visible from the GA
Power gravel road. The other is a short hike beside the creek and is a nice
area for a picnic. There is a rather elaborate rock built grill here that is
about 5 feet tall – so this is evidently a popular picnic area!
Bad Branch Falls – this tall waterfall is a bit difficult to find. Follow
the directions on Mr Anthony’s site and pay particular attention to the
distances he gives. Once you find it, it’s a short hike up a badly eroded
old road – but worth the effort!
(Panther Falls, Angel Falls, Minnehaha Falls, Bad Branch Falls, Crow Creek
Falls, and Hemlock falls can all be done in one long day of driving/hiking)
Toccoa Falls – this sheer drop falls of 186 feet is on the grounds of Toccoa
Falls College. The trail in is easy. There is a fee to pay to the college.
There is a very sad history to this falls, which I won’t detail here…but
you can look it up.
Falls on Davis Creek (Gilmer County) – this is a different Davis Creek from
the one that forms Dukes Creek. This one is in Gilmer County. The falls are
on private property, but you can get a pretty good – though distant – view
from the road.
Shoals on Soque River – this is not, strictly speaking, a waterfall, but is
a nice cascading shoals right behind “The Mark of the Potter” on Hwy 197
about 10 miles north of Clarkesville. There a nice parking area and a good
view of the shoals from the road.
Tallulah Gorge – there are several falls in this spectacular gorge below the
town of Tallulah Falls. The best way to view them is to take the steps into
and out of the gorge, but be prepared…there are over 1000 steps! There is
a fee into the park.
Becky Branch Falls – these falls are a little over 1/4 mile uphill hike from
Warwoman Dell. Park in the first parking area in the Dell and hike a short
way down the road to the trailhead. The switchbacks out of the Dell are
steep, but not too bad. Cross the road and hike the short, fairly steep
trail to the falls. The trail crosses on a wooden bridge right at the base
of the falls.
Martins Creek Falls – these falls can be reached by hiking past Becky Branch
Falls and then a further 2 miles to the viewing platform at the falls. Or
you can shorten that to 1/2 mile hike by following the directions on Mr
Anthony’s site. Your feet WILL get wet crossing Martins Creek following his
directions.
Keown Falls – the shortest way to these falls is follow Mr Anthony’s
directions. This is a nearly 2 mile hike, and the last part just before the
viewing platform is a little tricky as it is narrow rock steps around a
large outcrop. You can also get to these falls by driving up to the top of
John’s Mountain and hiking down from there…which is a bit longer, but to
me a lot nicer. The falls are a sheer drop and there is actually a hiking
trail that goes under the falls. The falls is very dependent on rainfall and
in dry times there might not be any water flowing over.
Raven Cliff Falls – this is a 2 1/2 mile hike in, all uphill but not too
strenuous. You practically have to be on top of the falls at the top of the
trail to see them as they are in a very narrow slot in the rock. there are
several other unnamed falls along this trail.
Falls near Unicoi Gap – these falls are on the same forest service road that
goes down to Horse Trough Falls and are right along the road, not too far
from Hwy 75. There’s no parking, you just have to find the closest wide spot
and pull over as far as you safely can.
Bean Creek Falls – this small falls is not too far from Unicoi State park,
but is hard to see when the trees are in full leaf. It’s easier to find in
the fall and winter, when it is easily visible from the road. The directions
on Mr Anthony’s site are accurate, except they say the falls are on the
right side of the road…they are not, going up the road the way he
describes, they are on the left side.
Sylvan Mill Falls – this small, pretty falls is on private property but is
easily seen from the road. The road is narrow and there is no parking. Just
park as far to the side as you can and try not to block any traffic that
comes by.
Nancytown Falls – these falls are not on Mr Anthony’s website. They are a
short way down a side trail off the Sourwood Trail in the Lake Russell
Recreation Area near Mount Airy. The easiest way to get to them is to park
in the hikers parking area, hike up the paved road past the group camping
area and where the Sourwood Trail goes to the left, turn right and cross the
creek on the bridge. Hike straight up this road (ignore the road that comes
in from the left) until you cross another creek. There is a pretty little
waterfall here, on the right. Just across the creek the trail goes upstream
to the left. Follow this trail maybe a little under a mile and you will see
a sign to the falls where the main trail turns left to go uphill. This is a
nice trail, but I don’t advise hiking it in warm weather. As much day hiking
as I do, this is the only trail I ever came home from with ticks. There are
several deer grazing areas and when the grass is tall – one year it was over
my head – you WILL get ticks. I only hike this one in the fall and winter,
and early spring before it gets too warm.
Karen T.
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