2012 WATERFALLS and HIKING TRAILS in GEORGIA - PART 2
Some photographs were taken with a point and shoot
The following waterfalls and hikes are on this blog:
LOWER BLACK FALLS HIKE
BLACK FALLS on the UPPER ETOWAH RIVER HIKE
CLAY CREEK FALLS HIKE
FALLS on BRANCH of JONES CREEK
BOGGS CREEK HIKE
LITTLE RIDGE CREEK HIKE
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LOWER BLACK FALLS HIKE
28 December 2012
COORDINATES: Not noted
This waterfall is located near "Black Falls on the Upper Etowah River" which is probably on the same property as the Camp Frank D. Merrill – 5th Ranger Training Battalion. We visited this watefall first and just happen to stumble upon Black Falls on the Upper Etowah River at Camp Frank D. Merrill.
DIRECTIONS to the FALLS:
- Travel north out of Dahlonega on US Bus.19/GA. 60 for 2 miles
- Turn left on Camp Wahsega Rd.
- Travel approximately 9.5 miles to Camp Frank D. Merrill – 5th Ranger Training Battalion
- Do not enter the entrance to the camp.
- Instead turn left on the Forest Service Rd.
- The entrance to the road that one can hike down is locked most times and a hiker should check with the Ranger Visitors Center before attempting to visit this area since the area is restricted.
- You can park in front of the sign below and the gate is to the right of this sign; however, their is a trail that you hike down to get to both waterfalls. Again, please be sure to check with the Ranger Visitors Center before attempting to visit this area.
I wish I knew the story behind why this rope bridge is here crossing the small gorge over these shoals.
Not I'm not on the rope bridge above the shoals. I'm afraid of heights in more ways than one, so there is no way I would ever get on that bridge - not even if you paid me a million dollars - well I might do it for a million.
We had to do some scurrying to get here. We had to hike along a wash line where the rain water had washed a deep area out of the earth.
I could not (for the life of myself) get my camera to work right once we got down here. I'm really not thrilled with this shot.
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BLACK FALLS on the UPPER ETOWAH RIVER HIKE
28 December 2012
Located at the Frank D. Merrill Campground - 5th Ranger Training Battalion
This is looking down from Black Falls. The wooden bridge is there for training the Army Rangers. I stood on it about 4 feet in and held on tight to the rope while taking the below shot.
Jeffrey and Valentino waiting patiently for me to finish taking pictures of the surrounding area.
Jeffrey pointed out this grave to me before we left and of course I took a shot of it. God rest your soul, Christopher M. Googh, Jr. Thank you for your service to our country.
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CLAY CREEK FALLS
31 December 2012
COORDINATES: N34º 32.26' | W84º 01.32'
Elevation: 1260'
This is above the falls at Clay Creek. One cannot cross over the barbed wire fence to get any closer. This shot was taken from the road.
The private property sign and gate is here as a deterrent to keep others out.
Clay Creek Falls cascades over the rocks and flows downstream to cross underneath a bridge for passerby's to view.
A person viewing this area in real time will only be able to walk along the side of the road. Be careful to oncoming motorists coming around two curves near this waterfall area.
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FALLS on BRANCH of JONES CREEK
31 December 2012
COORDINATES: Parking Area: N 34°36.5' | W 84°09.5'
Elevation: 1800 ft.
Falls: N 34° 36.62' | W 84°09.45'
DIRECTIONS to the FALLS:
- Travel out of Dahlonega West on GA. 52.
- Travel to the 2nd Nimblewill Church Rd.
- Turn right on the 2nd Nimblewill Church Rd.
- Travel to Forest Service Rd 28-1 (FS 28-1).
- Travel left on FS 28-1.
- Travel 2.5 miles to FS 77 – turn left
- The road splits before reaching FS 77, so please watch for the sign that reads, “Montgomery Creek 3 miles, Camp Washaga 3.4 miles. SEE PICTURE BELOW.
- Travel 1.4 miles on FS77 and turn left on FS 77A. SEE PICTURE BELOW
- Follow FS 77A 1.8 miles to the camping fee station signs at Jones Creek. SEE PICTURE BELOW
- Turn right at the signs and go up the right side Jones Creek.
- Camping areas will be on the drivers left so you will know you are heading in the right direction.
- Travel approximately 0.7 miles where two concrete fords are about 50 yards apart.
- The falls branch enters Jones Creek on the right between the two fords and is easily overlooked.
- These concrete fords cross Jones Creek. SEE PICTURE BELOW.
- At this point, you can choose to park just before reaching the first ford and scramble up the bank on the right side of the branch and walk along the right side of the branch or park between the fords and wade Jones Creek and walk up the right side of the branch. SEE PICTURE BELOW
- If you wade through these fords, please be sure to have on waterproof hiking boots.
- And, if you do wad through both fords, after the 2nd ford, there is an old logging road that goes up the left side of the creek; however, you will need to scramble through some brush to get over to the other side of the creek bed so that the creek is on your left.
- The first of the two falls above is about 300 yards up the branch.
- The second falls is another 100 or so yards farther up the branch and is a long sliding cascade into a clear pool.
- I did not get the shot of the 2nd falls.
Dirt road is here at these two signs and these are markers for the road where you need to turn either left or right depending on which location you are traveling from.
At this fork, you will want to take Forest Service Road #77 to the left to get to Falls on Branch of Jones Creek
These are the markers to the road where you need to turn.
These are the markers to the road where you need to turn.
Falls on Branch of Jones Creek
Falls on Branch of Jones Creek
Top of the falls
I enjoyed hiking to this awesome waterfall. The water has sculpted the granite rocks over thousands of years leaving behind a carved appearance rich with potholes and geometric shapes.
Other side of the falls
Abby and Jeffrey walking over the log in front of the falls. So cute!!
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BOGGS CREEK
31 December 2012
Coordinates: N 34.6662 | W -83.90269
Once you pull into Boggs Creek Recreational Area, drive down the road as far as you can and park in this area. Hike beyond the closed gate on the far left until the road gets to the foot bridge. {See photo below Little Ridge Creek}.
Boggs Creek
Our little Alaskan Klee Kai, Abby, was not too sure of this area. We think she was a little afraid of the tumbling sounds of the water to her left.
Abby yawns when she is tired and really she should not be tired at all.
Pretty Abby and Handsome Husband, Jeffrey.
Such a little sweet girl!
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LITTLE RIDGE CREEK
located at the Boggs Creek Recreational Area
31 December 2012
Little Ridge Creek is on the left of this bridge. This bridge was built by Boy Scouts.
Cow Rock Creek is on the far right side of this bridge and the joining of the two creeks form Boggs Creek.
A hiker can take a left (before crossing this bridge) and go past the blocking mound, (basically a pile of dirt with leaves all over it), and up the trail and capture views of Little Ridge Creek along the way.
PLEASE NOTE:
My husband and I attempted to locate the three falls on Little Ridge Creek and the falls on Branch of Cow Rock Creek at the upper end of Boggs Creek Campground in the Chattahoochee National Forest. However, we ran out of daylight and even though we had flashlights and headlamps, we decided to turn around and cut our losses. Therefore, because we are not exactly sure where these falls are located, this would be an adventurous slow hike for someone who loves to explore.
If you wish to try to get to the three falls on Little Ridge Creek, here are some hiking directions:
- Do not cross on the foot bridge above that goes across Boggs Creek; however, continue up the left side of what will then be Little Ridge Creek.
- Hike behind the blocking mound and continue hiking up the trail.
- At some point you will need to cross Little Ridge Creek and continue up the right side.
- There is no clear marking as to where you should cross the creek.
- The trail will start to ascend and once it does you could cross here.
- When you start bushwhacking up the right side, you will encounter an old logging road.
- If you continue up the right side of Little Ridge Creek you will start seeing the falls.
Little Ridge Creek
Little Ridge Creek
Nearly 1000 acres of the Chattahoochee National Forest was impacted by a vigorous ensemble of tornados and ruthless thunderstorms in April 2011. Boggs Creek was hit extraordinarily hard on April 27, 2011.
Little Ridge Creek
Devastating shots of the Bogg Creek Recreational Area - above and below.
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