Smith Creek Trail to Anna Ruby Falls - Sat, Dec 27 2025

REGISTRATION REQUIRED: Once you've reviewed the event details, and decided you'd like to join us, you MUST sign up at the bottom of this page.



Smith Creek Trail to Anna Ruby Falls


The Basics:
Event Type:Hike
Event Location: Unicoi State Park   Hike: Smith Creek Trail to Anna Ruby Falls  National Weather Service Forecast
Date(s) & Time:Sat, Dec 27 2025  9:00 am >> Sat, Dec 27 2025 2:00 pm  (Carpool Departure: 7:30 am   *log in for location*)
Registration Opens: Sun, Dec 21 2025 7:00 pm
Registration Cut Off: Fri, Dec 26 2025 7:00 pm
Event Duration:5 Hours
Difficulty Rating:D4: Moderate to Difficult
Distance:10 Miles
Pace:Moderate
Trip Leader(s):
Clay Davies
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Member Cost:None

Participant Info:
Who's Invited: Members Only, 21 And Older Only
Maximum Group Size:10
Minimum Group Size:3
Number Registered So Far: 1 / 0 (To see who's signed up, log in to the Member Area)
Are Dogs Permitted: Yes

Itinerary:

Please join me to work off some Christmas cheer with an awesome waterfall hike! Our journey begins inside Unicoi State Park in Helen GA. We will hike the Smith Creek Trail starting at the campgrounds to Anna Ruby Falls.  

The Smith Creek trail ascends up Hickory Ridge for approximately 2 miles before decending down to Anna Ruby Falls. We will take a break at the Falls to take in the views of the 150 ft twin waterfall. After taking photos including a group photo, we will proceed down the paved trail to the Visitors Center where we will enjoy our lunch.  After a 20-30 minute lunch break, we will retrace our steps back to the trailhead towards Unicoi State Park.  The total distance is about 10 miles.

This is a challenging D4 hike with 2,000 feet elevation gain. We will be hiking at a moderate pace of 2.5-3.0 miles/hour. Recent D4 hiking experience with the AOC is required in order to participate.  Please contact me if you have any questions about this event

 

 


Required Items to Bring:

At least 1 liter of water

Lunch 

Trail runners/ hiking boots

Layerd clothes

Raingear (just in case)

Recommended Items to Bring:
Use our Event Checklists to make sure you have everything you need.

sunscreen

hat 

gloves

trekking poles


How to Get There:
Event Directions:

For those who are not carpooling, please meet us at the Smith Creek Trailhead by 8:50 am. The trailhead is located near the Unicoi State Park campground. Click here for Google Maps trailhead location

It is located inside Unicoi State Park, so remember to bring $5 for the parking fee or your Georgia State Park pass. 

Carpool to Event Distance (round trip):126Mile(s)
Carpool Departure Time: 7:30 am
Carpool Location:   Log in for location
Carpool Directions:   Log in for directions
Carpool Cost: Estimated cost per vehicle for this event is $50.40 using a reimbursement rate guideline of $0.400 per mile. The total amount should be divided by the number of people in the vehicle, including the driver. This is a guideline, not a rule, for drivers but the cost should not be higher unless there are extenuating circumstances.

Notes:


* We encourage all members to follow our Etiquette Guidelines while participating in AOC events.


Cancellation/Partial Attendance:   Please review the AOC cancellation policy.