Black Falls (2 falls)

11/12/23 - took some Traildames to see the falls on the grounds of the Ranger Camp. I found from "Waterfall Hikes of North Georgia" by Jim Parham that there is another falls below Black Falls, on the Etowah River. The directions are the same, but you have to follow the river downstream, along an old road, and when you get near the bottom of the hill - look back upstream and you'll see a long cascade through the trees. It was difficult to get a good picture, but the cascade starts near the top of the photo, where it's very bright and runs more or less straight down the photo.

This falls is on the grounds of the Camp Frank D Merrill Ranger training camp and is behind a locked gate. This area is also a rappelling training area and I suppose that's why it's kept locked - to keep idiots from falling off the cliff. Certainly the road to the other falls (West fork of Montgomery Creek) on this same property has always been open when I've been by there, but there's no cliff there.

At the bottom of the photo you can see a narrow footbridge with a rope strung across the creek as a hand-hold. I didn't try to cross, as my balance on narrow bridges is not good, but on Mr Anthony's site the photos are from the other side of the creek.

 

These falls are on the Etowah River

 

GPS: 34.62315°N 84.10575°W

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

Directions and Information: from Dahlonega, Ga

• north on US 19 bypass
• right on Camp Wahsega Rd
• at Camp Merrill - stop at kiosk at camp gate for directions
• falls are at SSG R Portello Rd
• go past road & gate to small parking area
• go back to locked gate - you can get around it on the left side
• falls are at the bottom of the road and to the right

Note: because the gate to this falls is kept locked, stop at the Camp Merrill gate for directions. You have to park at the top of the road and walk down.

PLEASE STAY OFF THE RAPPELING CLIFF & other equipment!