Desoto Falls (2 falls)

8/15/2010 These are actually three separate falls on Blood Mountain, but you can only get to 2 of them. The trail to the 3rd has been closed for years - the sign says the trail is washed out. The other two falls are labeled "upper" and "lower" but the upper one is HIGHER than the lower one! I can only presume they are "upper" and "lower" due to one being upstream of the creek in the valley, and the other being downstream.  I suggest doing the lower falls first, as it is a steep, switch-backed trail up to the viewing platform. Then do the longer, but easier hike to the upper falls viewing platform.

Supposedly at some early time (don't remember the exact period) a piece of Spanish armor was found near one of these falls - which is how they came to be named for Desoto.

 

http://www.jjanthony.com/waterfalls/falls/desotofalls.html

Directions and Information: from Cleveland, GA

• north on US 129-past junction with US 19
• left to Desoto Falls - at sign

Note: there is a parking fee here.  Follow trail past rest room building and bear right.  Will come out on campground road.  Turn left onto road, and follow around curve to bridge across creek.  Lower falls is to the left across the bridge, upper falls to the right.