High Shoals Falls (Walden Creek)

High Shoals Falls on Walden Creek is small but pretty. Following Mr. Anthony's directions, it's a little over a mile hike from the nearest road, on a Forest Service road that is blocked at the end where you start the hike. If the road hadn't been blocked I could have driven almost up to the falls...except there was a big blow down blocking the road maybe 1/4 mile in. Otherwise it was a nice, easy enough hike.

This one was a little weird though. The whole time I was hiking I heard no voices, no motors, nothing but normal forest sounds. Yet, when I got to the falls there were 2 big family size tents there..with outdoor kitchen set up, coolers sitting around, etc. I stayed a little while to rest and take pictures. And the whole time I was hiking back out, again I heard nothing but forest sounds. I have NO idea where all those people went!

One thing though, the road you hike in on continues past the turn for the falls and I'm thinking it's possible to drive in from the other end...if I can just figure out where that is, and that the campers had driven out somewhere and that's why I didn't hear anything.

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

Directions and Information: from Dahlonega, GA

• north on GA 60/US19
• left on Camp Wahsega Rd
• right on Black Mountain Rd
• left on Jack Walker Rd
• left on Carlton Gooch Rd
• at .2 mi - look for closed Forest Service road & park here

Note: trail to falls is 1.2 miles down this closed road, on the left. My memory is that you go down a longish hill, cross the creek and then turn left to go to the falls. The trail was a bit washed out and rough to start with, but not difficult. Opens up to a more or less flat area big enough for a couple of family size tents. There is a wooden swing in front of the falls.