Sparks Branch Rd falls

12/18/2010 - while driving to get from one waterfall to another today, I passed a sign on GA 17/75 north of GA 180 that said "The Falls on Riverside" - a mountain subdivision (I couldn't find a website).  So, naturally, I was intrigued and drove in to look around.  I found the entrance, which is a narrow one way road that is a BEAR to drive.  Glad I don't live there.  And, naturally, the falls is at the FAR end.  In fact, the road goes over the creek JUST as it ends at another road.  It was quite a scramble down to where I could get a photo, and I don't even know if the falls have a name or what the name of the creek is.  The road beside it is "Sparks Branch Rd" - so presumably it's on Sparks Branch. 

 

Directions and Information: from Helen, GA

• go north on GA 17/75 - over Unicoi Gap, and past GA 180 on the left
• left on Riverside Rd
• left on Sparks Branch Rd (street signs variously say Tipton Heights or Sparks Branch Rd)
• as you climb the hill, watch on left for narrow, paved road that says "One Way" - continue past this road and watch for another narrow, paved road that says "Do Not Enter" - this is the other end of the same road

Note: the branch flows under that narrow paved road, just at the end and the falls should be visible to the left from Sparks Branch Rd - deep down in the valley.  To get down to the falls, go on the narrow road over the creek, then work your way, carefully, down to base of the falls.