Cloudland Canyon- Part 2- The Secrets Within...

Now that I've shown you some of the sights that MOST visitors to Cloudland Canyon see, here's a little secret that most don't know about. While camping in the backcountry campsites, we noticed by our site the sound of rushing water. We followed the old logging road that passes through our site (site 5, I believe) and then turned to the left once we detoured around the park gate. Straight below our campsite is a set of small rapids that falls into a carved out swimming hole. Not just that, BUT we realized that if we follow the stream and boulder bed downstream, we eventually would make it over to the Lower Falls trail. Here are pictures of what we found along the way. The girls never made it to the Lower Falls trail because another set of waterfalls got in our way. We were too short legged to make our way down the slick rocks to continue, so we let the guys keep going. Talk about awesome down there! So many waterfalls and HUGE boulders to crawl around. So many swimming holes too. Here's just a few pictures that I've collected from all of us on our trips to the bottom of the Canyon. I tried to put them in order, but it's been a while and some places look kind of similar. Anyway, if you ever find yourself over that way to do some camping.... even if you don't get Campsite 5, at least walk up there and past it to go to the bottom. It's a trip you wont forget!



We tried to make a different path to the bottom without having to disturb the folks at campsite 5.... unfortunately it stormed pretty bad the night before leaving the rocks covered in leaves and very slippery.

Getting closer to the top of some waterfalls that were way too tall and slippery to climb down. At this point we pretty much had to make our way over to the original area we come down in order to climb down.

This is the view you'd see as you climb down from campsite 5 of the first swimming hole.

The rocks that make up the pool are very dark so it's really hard to tell how deep the water really is here. I'd say at least 10' to 12' deep in the middle.






Me and Polly chilling out.





Right past that pool is another pool. Chris looks like Kermit the Frog sitting on that boulder. ; )

The moss made the rocks REALLY slick here, so we had to hold onto the rock wall for balance.

This is actually the bottom of the falls we were trying to climb down from originally. They don't look too big here, but they work their way pretty far up the hill.




Boulder jumping.

We found all sizes of waterfalls on this trip. I can't believe no one has made an actual waterfall trail so others can enjoy them.

Here's a HUGE set of falls.

And here we are climbing down them.

Another swimming hole.

It was a little too cold for Megan and I to get in a swim but the guys took advantage of it.

This is the waterfall where Megan and I had to stop. Here's Chris climbing down it.

You can kind of see us off to the right sitting above it.

Here they are. The end of the line for me and Megan. The "trail" continues from here past a few more falls before they end up at Lower Falls.

Cloudland Canyon- Part 1- Along the Rim and Below

Cloudland Canyon is a great place to go if you want to have a nice long weekend adventure. It's one of Georgia's most beautiful state parks and at times can be very busy with visitors. The best part about Cloudland Canyon is you don't HAVE to stay and hike the trails with everyone else. There is a "secret" at the bottom of the canyon that most folks don't even know about. I'll share that with you in my next blog. What you see in this blog is the most common trails with waterfalls and spectacular views.


A view from the Main Overlook of the Canyon.

Taking part of the West Rim Trail to the Waterfalls Trails. First stop is Upper Falls.

This picture was taken several years ago of Upper Falls. The last time we went, the water barely cascaded from the rocks because of the lack of rain we've been having. No telling when we'll see the falls as full as they are here. The pool below looks great for swimming, but there are signs posted asking you not to. But... when have we ever followed the "rules" ; )

You can see in this picture where the falls aren't as full.

After taking a series of stairs down into the Canyon, you find yourself at Lower Falls, the most impressive of the two. It's really hard to get an idea of actually how tall the waterfalls really are, but to give you an idea, that large boulder in the foreground is at least 10' tall.

Once finished hiking those wonderful stairs, take the West Rim Trail to stretch out those burning and cramped calves. It's worth it. Now, I will honestly say that we didn't make it to the end. We got to the boulder walls and played there until we were tired and made our way back to the picnic area. It was like an adult jungle gym and lots of fun!

Just a slight little detour to check out a "cave".

Right now we are looking back at the other side of the canyon where the trail begins.

What you don't see is that crack in the boulders where Steve's legs are hanging is a good 8' to 10' deep.... or from a girl that's scared of heights.... A LONG WAY DOWN!

Here's Megan making her way through that same crack. It gets tighter the further you go in, so be ready to turn around if you think you might get stuck.

HA!!! Andy working it for the camera!

Marquardt looks sooo far up there.

Here's the other Overlook. Basically, you make a left to access the West Rim and Waterfalls Trails, but you'd make a right to go to this overlook.

I could be wrong, but I think that's Trenton down in the valley below.

Chris and Marquardt striking a pose. hehehe!