6/5/2011 - went back to the High Shoals Trail with the TrailDaimes, but I only got pictures of High Shoals Falls. My camera batteries died and ALL of my spares were too low to power up the camera! But I did get GPS points. There are several other falls along that same creek, so I'll have to go back again to get them!
These falls are on High Shoals Creek
5/29/2010 -I describe this as a "roller-coaster" trip. Driving north on GA 17/75 out of Helen, Ga you drive UP to Unicoi Gap, then DOWN the other side to the Forest Service Road, then UP that road to the top of the ridge, then you hike back DOWN to the bottom!
I had difficulty finding this one at first. They day I hiked it there was no sign for the Forest Service road - going north on GA 17/75. So I turned around to go back, and there WAS a sign on the south side. Shortly after the beginning of the gravel road, you have to ford a creek...but the ford is well designed and I was able to cross it easily in my little station wagon. Then you drive up a winding, twisting road to park at the top of the ridge and the beginning of the High Shoals Trail.
Just after I crossed the creek ford, a small black animal ran across the road and it wasn't until after he passed that I realized it was a BEAR CUB! First time I've ever seen such a young bear in the wild.
The trail down to the waterfalls starts out fairly steep, then levels out for a bit, then goes downhill again. Both of the waterfalls are on short side-trails. High Shoals Falls is first, then Blue Hole Falls. The trail to Blue Hole Falls is steep and a bit rough. The one to High Shoals Falls is much shorter and easier. I found out later that there are supposed to be 5 waterfalls along this trail, but I didn't know that on the day I did it...have to go back again and try to find them.
As I was hiking out, I stopped to speak to some other hikers that were hiking in and I told them about the bear cub. They were, literally, just saying they hadn't seen him when at THAT moment, up jumped a bear cub out of the brush and took off down the hill! Had to be the same bear cub, how likely is it there would be 2 in the same area? Anyway, we all left as quickly as we could manage as we did not know where his mother was!
GPS: 34°49'17"N 83°43'21"W
GPS: 34°49'20"N 83°43'19"W
Directions and Information: from Helen, GA
north on GA 17/GA 75 - past Unicoi Gap
at bottom of mountain, right into High Shoals Scenic area (see note below)
parking area is on left, after sharp left turn and steep hill
Note: Mr Anthony says to turn at the sign, but the day I did this there was no sign on the northbound side of GA 17/GA 75. If you get to GA 180 on left, you've gone too far. Turn around and go back, there was a sign on the southbound side.
3 comments:
Can you swim @the bottom of the blue hole falls? Also, do you think it will be too hard for a 5 year old to do this hike? We have been hiking, but not sure whether this one would be too difficult.
Thanks!
I think this one might be a bit much for someone that young. It's a long climb back out of the valley to the parking. Check out Hemlock Falls. That's a much easier hike. It's a little over a mile in, steadily but not steeply uphill and the pool is deep enough in the center for an adult to swim in.
Thanks! I'm going to try that,
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