Lost House Branch Falls

1/30/2011 - went out to get the falls on Lost House Creek, but I couldn't make it.  The creek is in a very narrow valley and there's no trail.  It was just a bit rougher than I felt safe doing alone.  So I got a picture of a small falls that is visible from the road.  Will have to go back when I can get someone to go along.

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

Directions and Information: from Cleveland, GA

• north on US 129
• right on Alt GA 75 - to end
• left on GA 17/75 - exactly 3.5 miles
• park in wide spot on west side of highway
• cross highway towards gutted stone house
• creek can be heard on the right

Note: the gutted stone house is private property.  There is a locked cable across the driveway, but the property is not posted that I can see.  As you pass the house, on the right is a set of good, but mossy, steps down to the creek and a bridge.  The bridge is in good shape, and there's a well used camping spot with a stone barbecue there.

High Shoals Falls (Paulding County)

1/22/2011 - My sister and I drove over to Paulding County to get the High Shoals Falls.  I haven't been able to find out the name of the creek, but I did see at least one website that states the pool at the base of the falls was (or is?) used as a baptism site for the nearby church.  The falls is easy to get to and the trail to it is very short.  We noticed that a brand new picnic table had recently been put in close to the falls.

According to GPMAPS this falls is on an unnamed creek that flows into Raccoon Creek

Directions and Information: from Dallas, GA

• north on GA 61
• left on High Shoals Rd
• watch for Baptist Church on right
• very soon after church, there is a cemetary on the left with a chain link fence
• park inside fence
• take gravel path beside cemetary downhill
• cross small branch
• waterfall is ahead and to the right

Note: sign at parking states the park is open from 8am to 5pm

Dukes Creek Falls (5 falls)

2/19/2011 - added some photos I forgot I had.  They show holes in the rocks at the base of the falls that are created, during high water flow, by small rocks, or even small boulders, getting caught on the rock and the water whirling them around until a hole is worn into the base rock.  You can even see some that are still under water in one of the photos.  In times past, black powder musket balls were made out of small stones using this same process.

7/18/2010 Dukes Creek Falls is a spectacular cascade of about 200 feet down the side of the mountain, and another smaller falls. The hike down to the bottom of the falls is about 1 mile of switch-backed trail. It is not too difficult. I first did this hike over 30 years ago and at that time it was tough, but the trail has been completely redone to make the switchbacks further apart and the grades more gradual.  There are several smaller falls that can be seen on Dodds Creek as you hike down.

There is a distant view of the main falls from a platform that is wheelchair accessible not too from from the parking area.

Dukes Creek Falls are actually on Davis Creek and Dodds Creek, which join together below the falls to create Dukes Creek. The main falls are on Davis Creek, and a much smaller one on Dodds Creek. There are several nice viewing platforms and boardwalks between them at the base.
 

 

There are several smaller falls and cascades on Dodds Creek as you hike down to the bottom of the valley.  It's difficult to get good pictures of some of them, but I managed to get these two.

 

Directions and Information: from Cleveland, Ga

• north on US 129
• right on Alt GA 75
• left on GA 348 (Richard B Russell Scenic Highway)
• left into Dukes Creek Falls parking at sign

 

Note: there is a fee to park here