Panther Creek, GA

Panther Creek, GA is a really beautiful trail with large falls at the end and several falls along the way, AND it's pretty easy to find. It's along 441 about 15 miles south of Clayton and about 14 miles north of Clarkesville and the parking lot to the trail is less than 1/4 a mile on the left once you cross into the Chattahoochee National Forest boundary. Unlike other parking lots you find at the beginning of trails, parking here is FREE! There's a picnic area and bathrooms at the parking lot for those that need it. I didn't see camp sites around, but there might have been a few of those too. It's about 3.5 miles to the falls on a fairly steady graded trail. There are some difficult places along the trail, so I wouldn't call this an easy hike even if there's only a few steep climbs. There are parts of the trail where you have to cross streams and washed out hillsides and one area where you climb up between boulders making it hard when you are carrying a large pack. Here are some pictures I took from the two trips we made to visit these beautiful falls.




The beginning of the trail at the parking lot.



Big Foot???

Within the first few hundred yards from 441, you start to see views of the creek. At this point we are pretty high up and the hillside is a little too steep to make our way down there, but you can still get a few decent pictures of it.

The beginning of the trail.

Now the trail starts to make it's way down hill a bit back into the woods.

Having a walking pole or stick comes in handy when crossing over these streams. There are a few places where bridges have been built, but many crossings look like this one.

Chris is checking the creek out to see if there is anything cool downstream.

Success! You really can't see these falls at first, but they are too loud to miss. The best way down to them is sitting on your butt and sliding down the hill.

Once you get down there, be VERY CAREFUL! The area where Chris is walking is one big rock and the wet leaf litter makes for a very slippery path.

Pretty amazing!

A view right past the flume in the picture above.

A view up the falls.

On the trail again.

Another big set of rapids which made for a great camping spot.

Our campsite. There aren't any designated places to camp along the trail, but you can see where folks have set up camp in the past. This place was so much better than camping at the large falls at the end of the trail. Mainly because that area makes for a good resting/ picnic spot for weary hikers. So basicially, if you like company while you camp, then this is a great spot for you.

Views along the trail.

Almost to the end and we reach another pretty difficult crossing. You pretty much either have to hang onto roots and shimmy your way along this very tiny ledge OR you crawl down to the bottom of the slope (you can barely see Matt on the left) and cross that way. Either way... you're gonna get dirty.

At the top of the falls.

Taking a break. hehee!

One last little rough spot in the trail and WE MADE IT! And what a sight to see!

Taking our bags and shoes off to wade in the cool water.

Probably not a great idea to climb all over the falls, but we did it anyway.

Chris and Marquardt hanging out in the middle of the falls.

And here they are!!!!

Raven Cliffs, GA

Here's a fun place we like to go to when we want a place that we can either backpack to a campsite to OR just car camp right by the road. This trail is approximately 1.5 miles outside of Helen, GA on Richard B. Russel Scenic Highway and is easy to find. There is a paved parking lot with bathrooms at the trail head, of course, make sure you've got cash on you because it's a $3 usage fee. OR invest in an Annual State Park Pass like I did. $35 for the year and you are able to park and visit ANY trail. The trail itself is a total 5 mile round trip hike and at times can be tricky due to washed out trails and fallen trees. The payoff at the end is worth getting a little muddy for. You follow along Dodd Creek most of the way passing by smaller waterfalls and rapids and end at the tall cliffs. The actual waterfalls cascade 80 to 90' between the cliffs. You can access the top of the cliffs by climbing an old tree root ladder (for those that can brave it). I will tell you that there is NO rappelling on those cliffs, but we did play dumb and tried it anyways. A little difficult though because of all the people watching us and also the fact that you couldn't go all the way to the bottom of the rock wall or you'd be in the water. So, we had to have someone standing on a boulder ready to catch the climber as they swung out to them. Needless to say... I stayed at the bottom taking pictures. ; )

Here's just a few pictures of the different trips we've taken through the years.

Here's a rough looking trail map of the area.

Me, Andy, Marquardt, Chris, Polly, and Wendy in 2004

A lot of the trail has been washed out due the various Hurricanes that have come through and caused flooding. This is actually the BOTTOM of the foot bridge that crosses over Dodd Creek.

Views of Dodd Creek along the trail

Almost to the cliffs.

Polly demonstrates how to properly climb over fallen trees in the trail.

The bottom of the falls. A perfect picnic spot if you get there early. The trail tends to be VERY crowded during the warmer months.

A view up the cliffs

Chris and Marquardt actually on the other side of Dodd Creek to see if they can climb up and check out the top of the falls from there.

The tree root ladder to the top of the cliffs. It's actually a little scarier than it looks. Once you get to the top of the ladder, you have to be careful as you step over to the top of the cliffs. Step too far and you fall off the other side of the cliffs.

Ah... taking a break at the top.

Andy played catcher for Marquardt as he rappelled down the cliffs. From this boulder, the walls continues another 15 or so feet down to the water.

Wendy's turn. LONG WAY UP!!!!