7/21/2012 - iffy weather today, storms all around...but I didn't feel like sitting around the house, so I headed out to go back to this area to see if I could find other some waterfalls that are supposed to be in the camping area. Never did find them, but I did get 2 falls I missed when I've been here before.
7/23/2011 - went back to this branch that flows into Jones Creek. The road in was in much better shape than the last time. Still a bit rough in places, but not nearly as eroded and potholed. I crossed both fords in the campground and there are several places to park. I then followed the old logging road, which brings you out with the falls to your right. There's a steep trail down to the base of the falls here, or you can go above the falls, cross on the bridge and then walk downstream on the trail on that side and work your way down to the base of the falls.
I tried to go further upstream from the falls, but it was just too hot and muggy. I did find a section of the old road that was "corduroyed" with logs across the trail. From the state they were in, they probably date back to at least the last time this area was logged.
9/12/2010 My sister and I went to Jones Creek to see the falls that are on a branch that comes into Jones Creek. We got thoroughly lost and it took much longer than it should have to get there and then come back out, but we finally made it! Mr. Anthony's directions say, at one point: "To get to the falls go out of Dahlonega on Hwy. 52W for 3.7 miles to Siloam Rd. Turn right on Siloam and continue another 6 miles to the Etowah River. Turn left after crossing the bridge and proceed another 1.5 miles to Forest Service Road 28-1." - but this is not entirely correct and is what tripped us up. You drive down Siloam CHURCH Road, but it changes names part way down. And then you make the left turn TO cross the bridge, not AFTER crossing the bridge.
The road to the campground on Jones Creek was in pretty bad shape the day we drove it, but we made it with a little care. Hopefully it is better now. The Forest Service has done some extensive repairs on their roads after all the damage done last winter, so maybe this road was eventually included.
Mr. Anthony's instruction go on to say (after you reach the campground): "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" and doing this we found ourselves literally hanging off the trees on a short, steep part - to keep from falling into the branch. On the way OUT however, my sister discovered there is a perfectly good old logging road that goes up the LEFT side of the branch. So my advice is to cross the creek through both fords, then walk up the branch on that old road. It comes out above the first falls, but there is a bridge back to the other side, and then you can work your way down to the base of the falls.
We did go up to the upper falls, but my photos did not turn out. Will have to redo some day.
The first picture is of a small falls on a creek as you drive in on FS 77A, not too far from the junction with FS 77. The second is further in, not too far from the camping area.
GPS:34°36'8"N 84°8'7"W (Jones Creek(
This photo is on the creek that runs through the camping area, and is close to the turn-off into the camping...just upstream of the second camping spot. It looks flatter than it is because the picture was taken from above it.
GPS: 34.60229° -84.15208° (Jones Creek)
This photo is of a small sliding falls a short way upstream of the main falls, and just below the bridge - as you can see.
Note: the bridge is no longer there. I don't know if it washed away or was removed, but it was gone when I was there in 8/2012
Note: the bridge is no longer there. I don't know if it washed away or was removed, but it was gone when I was there in 8/2012
The first photo below is of the top of the main falls. The second photo is of the main falls. Normally it has three streams flowing over it, but these photos were taken at a time when we were low on rainfall.
GPS: 34°36'37"N 84°9'27"W (branch that flows into Jones Creek)
GPS: 34°36'37"N 84°9'27"W (branch that flows into Jones Creek)
Directions and Information: from Dahlonega, GA
- west on GA 52
- right on 2nd Nimblewill Church Rd
- left on Forest Service road FS 28-1
- left on Forest Service road FS 77
- left on Forest Service road FS 77A
- cross both concrete fords on Jones Creek
- park off road as best you can
- take old logging road that is to the right when last ford is behind you
Note: the old logging road goes up past the first falls, but there is a bridge across the branch, work your way downstream and down the steep bank to the base of the falls. The 2nd falls is another 300 or so feet up the old road. FS 77A was in bad shape when I was there, but it was doable with care.
