Sawmill Creek falls (4 falls)

2/12/2011 - Sawmill Creek - big falls, small falls, and a couple of others

Went back up to Covecrest.  I found out from their site that there was another, big, falls that I totally missed because I didn't go far enough down their trail!  It's a shame they can't put in some kind of trail, or boardwalk, or something that stays close to the creek, as this creek is very much like the one at Kingwood Golf - it's just one long set of falls and shoals all the way down the hill.  Some of the falls are hard to see, and a couple can only be heard.  I got pictures of the big falls, a new one of the small falls, and another good sized one above the big falls.  And I even got a photo of a rainbow at the base of the big falls.

The one above the big falls doesn't photograph very well, due to all the rhododendron, but it's more apparent when you are actually there, as the moving water catches your eye.  Between this one and the big falls, there is another small one, but I couldn't get a good photo of that one either.   I would say that from what I could see and hear, there might be as many as 7 or 8 falls along this creek.

I did speak to someone at the office and found out the creek name is Sawmill Creek, and that as far as they know none of the falls is named.  They only refer to "the small falls" and "the big falls"

2/5/2011 - headed up towards Clayton, GA to find some new waterfalls.  Didn't get to as many as I'd planned, but there's always tomorrow!  I did get Sawmill Creek Falls and a big falls complex on Stekoa Creek.

Sawmill Creek Falls - these falls are on the grounds of the Covecrest Christian Renewal Center/Lifeteen Camp http://www.lifeteencamps.com/covecrest.asp.  I did check at the office to be sure it was OK for me to be there, but there was no one there at the time.  The small falls are very pretty, and there are others downstream of these - but those are hard to see.  The small falls spills over a long shelf of rock, that sits at an angle to the flow of the water - so the water slides along the top of the shelf and then spills over in several places. 

There are also at least 2 smaller falls further downstream.  One of them I could hear, but couldn't see and one I was able to see, but there was so much rhododendron and trees that I didn't get a very good picture.  Possibly there are even more further down as the main trail takes a downhill track not too far from the falls, but I didn't have time to explore that far, plus with all the rain we've had it was very slippery and I didn't want to take a chance on falling when I was alone.  This is on my "redo" list!

 

Directions and Information: from Clayton, GA or Tallulah Falls, Ga

• From US 441, west on Tiger Connector (some maps may say 441 Connector)
• in Tiger, cross old US 441 and road changes to Bridge Creek Rd
• left into Covecrest Christian Renewal Center
• at lodge/office - left on Falls Rd
• where Falls Rd makes a sharp right turn and ends
• park at sign for Buckeye Trail

Note: you will hear the falls from the parking spot.  A short way down the trail there are several indistinct side trails, the best is the second one below the falls - but be careful, it comes out right at a wooden cross on a more distinct trail, and I nearly put my eye out on the crossbar!  There is a bench here.  The main trail appears to also come out at the falls, but I don't know how far along the trail from the uphill portion to the falls it is, and I didn't have time to try to find out.  The property was not posted that I could see.