Sat, Aug 11 2007 - Waterfalls on 'three forks' that make up Western Fork of Chattooga River (View Original Event Details)
|
This is the 1st event in a long time where all the people signed up, showed up on what was promising to be a very nice day; already sunny and warm-with promise of a drop of 8-10 degrees less since trailhead is much closer to Highlands,NC than Clayton, GA. After later people showed up and got everyone into cars-the most difficult part of any hike; we were off.
At the trailhead, we all got prepared, took group pics, and were off to cross Talley Mill Creek at bottom of gravel lot we parked in. We were comfortable, temp-wise on the 3.2 mile initial hike into Overflow Creek Falls, our first waterfall and deep swimming hole. Most had a great time, swimming, sunning and many gathered courage to jump off the low cliff and rocks into the pool below (looks a lot scarier from the top)-special congratulations to Tracy, Paula and Kristen for jumping with encouragement and multiple jumpers Jason K and Chris B, and others who were really into it. After our extended break here, we hiked back up the rather steep .7 mile hike back up to the frog pond and fork down to Big Creek Falls-a few of us had an extended rest and water break here, as it was becoming humid and sticky hot at this time of day and rest of the hike.
We all walked the 1 mile down to the 'three forks' intersection and the meeting of Holcomb, Overflow and Big Creeks that form the Western Fork of the Chatooga River. On this hike down we met several packed llamas and their owners-something you're not going to see on every hike-it was nothing less than awescome, cool, however you want to put it; on a totally cool and awesome adventure day. Many of us found our way to several of the rock jacuzzis in the Falls at the end of Big Creek, including the famous 'butthole' jacuzzi, as several of us called it-which perfectly fit the human bottom and gave all participants a unique massage and great water lounge chair experience. The other natural rock jacuzzis provided a ton of fun for most involved in getting into this waterfall. Many dined here on the sunning rocks generously provided by God and nature here in this little piece of the Garden of Eden in Georgia, and then many of us were off across the shallow creek crossing of Overflow Creek to the multiple (I counted nine) small waterfalls, we waded and rock hopped, climbed gentle ascent to view one after the other in the constant beautiful display on Holcomb Creek in this mini-gorge. Katrina and special daredevil guest Chris got the furthest up the cascades here and took some great pics I'm cant wait to see.
From here we packed up again and made our way the steep bushwhacking, rough and roughly 1/2 mile not listed in any guide book as a connector trail to make a loop on Big Creek to our last waterfall, the 30' wild, three tiered Big Creek Falls; and its great swimming hole and pounding waters under the waterfall. Several of us got thumped by hard falling water under its mini-cliff, which Rob W noted the water here was super oxgenated directly under the waterfall, because of the foaming, bubbling washing machine like action created by the churning water underneath. It was some great fresh air under the waterfall, as well as on the whole hike away from the smoggy city.
On the short steep hike out the last waterfall gorge, and hot hike out it was suggested by my very best friend, Paula I underated the hike becuase of distance; I asked Pam what she thought, she agreed; so I hope this hike that was so humid today wasnt too rough on any of the newcomers. It was like a D4.5 today with the humidity and steep parts, though distance totaled from guidebook at home later is probably only 7.7-7.8 miles adding it up carefully.
Nonetheless, I thank everyone for being part of this fantastic adventure, my favorite waterfall hike in Georgia and pray everyone had the great time we were having, until the hot rather punishing hike out to the cars. Special thanks to Paula and Chris for sweeping when Dante and I were too busy being in middle and front talking to rest of the group; but all were watched carefully and counted several times along the way. Special thanks to Dante, my carload driver-to Pam for humor and entertainment and thanks to Susan and Dante (you're used to it) for putting up with Pam and myself when we got cranked up with our special humor when we got cranked up-a lot.
Calendar of Events
Event Places