Lake Winfield Scott To Frogface And Flatrock Falls on Blood Mountain Creek - Wed, Mar 14 2018

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Lake Winfield Scott To Frogface And Flatrock Falls on Blood Mountain Creek


The Basics:
Event Type:Hike
Event Location: FS Road 37 (just off Hwy 180) Suches, GA   Hike: Lake Winfield Scott To Frogface And Flatrock Falls on Blood Mountain Creek  National Weather Service Forecast
Date(s) & Time:Wed, Mar 14 2018  9:30 am >> Wed, Mar 14 2018 3:00 pm  (Carpool Departure: 8:00 am   *log in for location*)
Registration Opens: Mon, Mar 5 2018 8:01 pm
Registration Cut Off: Tue, Mar 13 2018 8:00 pm
Event Duration:5 Hours 30 Minutes
Difficulty Rating:D4: Moderate to Difficult
Distance:8.5 Miles
Pace:Moderate
Trip Leader(s):
Russ
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Member Cost:None

Participant Info:
Who's Invited: Members Only, 21 And Older Only
Maximum Group Size:12
Minimum Group Size:3
Number Registered So Far: 10 / 0 (To see who's signed up, log in to the Member Area)
Are Dogs Permitted: No

Itinerary:

Are you ready for a midweek mountain hike?!!

There are a total of five waterfalls on Blood Mountain Creek (which begins as a spring not far from the top of Blood Mountain, the highest point on the Georgia Appalachian Trail). We are going to visit the rarely visited second and third waterfalls (Frogface Falls and Flatrock Falls) going at the slower end of a moderate pace.

The hike begins at Lake Winfield Scott, taking Jarrard Gap Trail up the ridge topping off at about 1.25 miles where it crosses the Appalachian Trail at Jarrard Gap. From there we will cross over and take the unmarked and unmaintained Frogface Falls Trail. Note that we will have to navigate through and around some blown down trees (from the recent hurricane/tropical storm Irma) but nothing too difficult. After about a 1.75 mile descent we cross over Blood Mountain Creek. From here we will bushwhack on an old road bed for about a 1/4 of a mile to Frogface Falls (called that because of a rock formation in the falls that resembles an old cartoon frog face ... you must use your imagination to find it -- it is pictured in the above photo).

Frogface Falls consists mainly of one vertical drop about 35 feet down a large cliff. Actually, from the base, you cannot see some cascades that drop an additional 15 feet just above the main waterfall. The waterfall is very remote, set in a wild setting among rhododendron tangles, steep slopes, and cliffs. There is an Upper Falls about 0.3 miles upstream - and in fact it is nearly 100 feet high - but it requires a harder trek off trail, upstream, so we won't be visiting that waterfall.

After admiring Frogface Falls we will continue back downstream and continue on the Frogface Falls trail (still unmaintained), following Blood Mountain Creek to Flatrock Falls. Note that we will have to cross the creek and another stream, but it is dry foot doable with a little rock hopping. To get to the 2nd waterfall, we will have to bushwhack down a pretty steep hill for about 100 feet. We arrive at Flatrock falls at about mile 4.5 on the hike.

It is located at the head of a narrow gorge, and the creek rapidly loses about 80 feet in elevation via multiple cascades and waterfalls. Most of the cascades and waterfalls are small, but the primary drop at which the trail ends is a scenic 40-foot waterfall. The waterfall consists of two tiers: a small upper free-fall portion and a wide lower sliding portion that spreads out across a broad, flat, rock slab. In front of the waterfall is a campsite and an impressive cliff. A short path scrambles up the right side of the waterfall to the upper free-fall portion, which actually has a miniature grotto. 

Note that some folks call this waterfall The Upper Falls (which actually it is not, since many don't realize there are two more waterfalls above it). Still others call this Samuel Thomas Yoder Falls because of a plaque on the waterfall that serves as a memorial.

After a good break and lunch at the waterfall, we will begin our 4 mile hike back the way we came, back up and over the Appalachian Trail and down to our cars at Lake Winfield Scott.

The total elevation gain on this trek is around 1750 feet.

Click below for a map of the hike:
https://www.plotaroute.com/route/570184&maptype=paths

Please note that there is a $5 per vehicle day usage fee where we will park at Lake Winfield Scott.


Required Items to Bring:

Lunch/Snack
Water

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

Poles


How to Get There:
Event Directions:

From Dahlonega, take U.S. 19 north for approximately 20 miles. Turn left (west) on Georgia 180 for 7 miles. Turn left onto Forest Road 37 at Lake Winfield Scott Recreation Area entrance. Parking will be on the right near the beach.

Carpool to Event Distance (round trip):118Mile(s)
Carpool Departure Time: 8:00 am
Carpool Location:   Log in for location
Carpool Directions:   Log in for directions
Carpool Cost: Estimated cost per vehicle for this event is $47.20 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:

There is a $5 per vehicle day usage fee.


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


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