Georgia Natural Wonder #115 - Falls on Walden Creek & Pigeon Roost Creek. 1,378

[Top Row Dawg]

Falls on Walden Creek

High Shoals on Walden Creek is off the beaten path with respect to Georgia waterfalls. That does not mean it is not heavily visited.



We left our 7th swamp on our last GNW and we come back to the Woody Gap area of North Georgia to some more of the many waterfalls in this part of the state. We were north of this area with Noontootla Creek last week. Today we start at the stone pile at the intersection of Highway 60 and 19, just north of Dahlonega, but south of Woody Gap. This pile of stones marks the grave of a Cherokee princess, Trahlyta.



Directions and Information: from Dahlonega, GA
• north on GA 60/US19
• left on Camp Wahsega Rd
• right on Black Mountain Rd
• left on Jack Walker Rd
• left on Carlton Gooch Rd
• at .2 mi - look for closed Forest Service road & park here

Note: trail to falls is 1.2 miles down this closed road, on the left. My memory is that you go down a longish hill, cross the creek and then turn left to go to the falls. The trail was a bit washed out and rough to start with, but not difficult. Opens up to a more or less flat area big enough for a couple of family size tents. There is a wooden swing in front of the falls.



This is the "gated" road referred to in their directions. And this is where you should park.



As you can see, the gate has been breached and the road is actually in pretty good shape. I know because me and my Rogue drove in! Even if you have a high clearance, four wheel drive vehicle and don't mind muddy wheels and scratched paint, you should give serious thought to parking here and doing the 1.2 mile (one way) hike. That is because the road is single track with few pull offs and passing another vehicle coming in the other direction will be a challenge.



The road climbs steadily for three quarters of a mile before dropping down to a crossing of Walden Creek. The sign on the tree and the wide path announce the turn off.



The path is easily followed up the right side of the creek.



Less than a quarter mile brings you to an overlook of the waterfall.



Scramble down to the left side gives you great composition. 25 to 30 feet high.



A passing cloud gave me this longer exposure.



How about a longer shot. How in the world did I set up the tripod in the precise location to get this water-on-the-head shot! Well, anyway, it shows High Shoals' signature viewing platform!



This waterfall is on the feeder stream coming from the right. Nice bonus.

Access Info: Walden Creek Falls is accessed by an obvious path from the usually gated FS 167/Clayton Gooch Road.

Waterfall Location: 34.648376, -84.022286

High Shoals Falls on Walden Creek is small but pretty. It's a little over a mile hike from the nearest road, on a Forest Service road that is blocked at the end where you start the hike. If the road hadn't been blocked I could have driven almost up to the falls...except there was a big blow down blocking the road maybe 1/4 mile in. Otherwise it was a nice, easy enough hike.



These are TRD images from years ago.



Attempted panorama's during winter.



The side waterfall.



Another side fall I remember.



Blurry Pete at Falls.



Hike back to the car and follow directions back to Princess Trahlyta's grave to get to next falls.

Tangent Indian Princess Trahlyta

Trahlyta was a woman in Cherokee legend who is said to have lived in the North Georgia Mountains near present-day Dahlonega. According to legend her tribe, living on Cedar Mountain north of here, knew the secret of the magic springs of eternal youth from the Witch of Cedar Mountain. Trahlyta supposedly drank from the Fountain of Youth to maintain her renowned beauty.The warrior Wahsega courted her, but Trahlyta rejected his courtship, and the angered warrior kidnapped and imprisoned Trahlyta in some unknown location away from the beauty's mountain home.



Trahlyta longed to see her home again, but her captor did not relent. No longer able to drink the water, she lost her beauty, grew weak and died.


She made the Rockin World Go Round toward the end.

Her dying wish, according to the legend, was to be buried in the mountain forests whence she came. According to the historical marker at the site of her supposed grave, "custom arose among the Indians and later the Whites to drop stones, one for each passerby, on her grave for good fortune." Today there is a pile of stones reaching at least five feet high.



Trahlyta's beloved home was said to be in the vicinity of Cedar Mountain. Her "fountain of youth" is often associated with nearby Porter Springs, where a resort community operated in the late 1800s and early 1900s for people who believed the waters had healthful properties. The site of the rockpile over her alleged grave, complete with a historical marker, is called Stonepile Gap. These are all minor tourist attractions.



Tangent Porter Springs Hotel

In the northern part of Lumpkin County, there was a hotel that had nothing to do with man's greed for gold, but everything about his thirst for water and a desire to regain lost health. The place was given several names including Radical Hill, since many of its visitors were Republicans, but was known by all as Porter Springs.According to legend, a mineral spring was first found there by the Cherokees. Its waters kept an Indian maiden young and beautiful, until she was carried away by a chief of the tribe. Without the water, she aged and asked to be carried home to the spring, where she died. Trahlyta's grave is the pile of rocks ten miles above Dahlonega in a triangle of roads known as Stone Pile Gap.



In 1868, the spring was discovered by Joseph H. McKee, a Methodist preacher, on land then belonging to Basil S. Porter. McKee and William Tate, a Baptist preacher, tested the water (in their fashion) for minerals and advertised their findings. People came from miles around pitching tents or taking home gallons of water, and claimed cures of rheumatism, dyspepsia, dropsy and many other diseases, even leprosy.In a short time, the news of this miraculous water had spread far and wide and hotel accommodations were provided for people living at a distance, such as Alexander H. Stephens and Henry Patillo Farrow.


Colonel Farrow.

Farrow leased and then bought the property, improved and enlarged the hotel, added entertainment, and the place became a recreational resort, the Queen of the Mountains Resort. When the hotel was overflowing with guests, the hacks that transported the clientele from Gainesville (the nearest railroad station) were notified not to bring more.



In the meantime, cottages and a chapel had been built on the lots across the street from the hotel. By the middle of the 1900s, the place was abandoned. Maybe the good of the water was counteracted by the rich cuisine, such as fried ham, hot biscuits and red eye gravy, or maybe it was just the fickleness of man, who is always looking elsewhere, as did the gold diggers of Lumpkin County.Porter Springs can no longer be reached by a road. The rambling old hotel rotted down little by little; trees now cover the place and Trahlyta's spring again flows in solitude.

Falls on Pigeon Roost Creek

Take US 19 north from Dahlonega for 8.7 miles to the intersection of GA 60 at Stonepile Gap. Follow GA 60 for 3.6 miles and turn right on Forest Service Road 654(gravel road) opposite the Dockery Lake Recreation Area sign. Travel down the road for 1.1 miles to the Picnic Area. The trail begins from the parking lot. The Dockery Lake Trail is a 7.0 mile round-trip hike to the Appalachian Trail at Miller Gap. Parking near the trailhead is limited and intended for day use parking only. It is not intended for long term AT parking. In addition to the Appalachian Trail Access, there is a 0.5 mile lakeside hike around Dockery Lake. So many of the trails that provide access to the Appalachian Trail are functional. In other words, they are access paths and little else. Dockery Lake is one of the few, in Georgia and further north, that not only provide access but are an interesting hike in and of themselves. A remote, moderate to difficult trail that traverses lush forest and crosses small steams before reaching the AT in Miller Gap. A portion of this trail is in a Wildlife Management Area. Check locally for hunting season, and dress appropriately.

Dockery Lake

Andrew John Dockery, for whom the lake is named, owned this land before it was purchased by the federal government in the 1930's.


Andrew and his wife, Avaline Josephine Swaim Dockery.


Last photo of Dockery's at their vandalized house after Government used Imminent Domain and purchased at 1930's New Deal Rates.

The 3-acre cold water lake is located in a mature hardwood and pine forest at the base of Big Cedar Mountain. It is home to some great rainbow trout fishing and exceptional hunting. As a result, the 10 (according to the Forest Service) or 11 (counted) well-spaced campground sites, normally lightly used, can be full at unusual times.



Each campsite has a table and tent pad. Campers are frequently treated to sightings of deer, grouse and wild turkey and campers should protect food from bears. The campground is open from April to October. Check with the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest rangers for exact dates and times. There is a day-use picnic area with 6 tables.



A 0.6 mile Lakeshore Trail connects the camping sites with various fishing spots around the lake.The trailhead is a set of stairs that rise from the Dockery Lake Day Use Area, and the trail immediately begins climbing.



This portion of the path has a lot of loose gravel which can be difficult, especially on the return trip. An easy-to-moderate climb takes hikers to a scenic view at 0.3 miles. The path then descends to a quiet cove starting at 1.0 miles as you approach Pigeon Roost Creek, the creek forms in the valley between Big Cedar Mountain and Pigeons Roost.



Less than 0.1 miles later, large gneiss boulders welcome hikers to a comfortable sitting area, and the nearby views are scenic. When we walk this trail in late Summer, the creek is normally dry, however, after a Spring freshet this crossing is normally a rock hop. From this point the trail continues an easy descent into a level plain that features a widely diverse plant and tree community. The area maintains an unusual coolness, making this an excellent stop during a hot summer day.



As the trail turns to the left it leaves the cove and the Chestatee Wildlife Management Area as it begins the ascent to Miller Gap, part of the Blood Mountain Wilderness. This is a strenuous climb along Pigeon Roost Creek that becomes easier during the ascent, which is different than all the other AT access trails which reach moderate to strenuous levels just before the top. Small cascades on one of the creeks are visible from the path. It is this creek where all the falls are found.



I found this better desription of finding the falls,  but it starts from Miller Gap and goes back down to Dockery Lake.At 5.5 miles, the Dockery Lake Trail comes alongside cascading Pigeon Roost Creek - only a small trickle at this elevation during drier periods. A series of steps at 5.7 miles brings the trail to its only crossing of Pigeon Roost Creek. This should be an easy rock hop. The trail then closely follows the creek, descending gently through open woods. At 6.05 miles, the trail approaches the edge of the escarpment that Pigeon Roost Creek falls off and forms Martha's Falls. For now, the trail - which follows an old road grade - turns away from the creek for an easier descent off the escarpment. As the trail continues its descent into the valley, it makes a sudden sharp switchback to the left at 6.2 miles. This is the place where you must continue straight ahead off-trail to see Twin Falls. A tree with two pairs of ancient double white blazes at the switchback, if the blazes are still visible when you do this hike, confirms the spot to leave the trail.



Before heading over to Twin Falls, keep in mind that it is best to see Twin Falls during wet periods, because the stream it is on is very small. In late summer and fall, it's possible that Twin Falls could completely dry up. To see Twin Falls, strike off into the woods upstream along the small stream it is on from the switchback. The small stream will be referred to as Twin Falls Branch here. Initially, try to stay about 30 feet from the stream, because there are a few large boulders closer to the creek. After a small rise, Twin Falls comes into view about 350 feet after you leave the Dockery Lake Trail. A scenic slide and cascade is located immediately below the falls. You may want to hop across the small stream just below the falls for the best view at 6.3 miles. At times of high flow, Twin Falls is a very beautiful and unique waterfall. The two forks of the small Twin Falls Branch both cascade steeply down the stairstep rock face before converging at the base. The photogenic falls is about 20 feet high.



Return to the trail at 6.4 miles and continue following it along the old road grade down alongside Twin Falls Branch. The place that you must turn left off the trail to see Martha's Falls comes about 0.15 miles after the switchback with the Twin Falls turn-off. At the time of my hike, an obscure rock cairn marked the turn-off spot, but don't count on it being there. The turn-off point is about 200 feet before a crossing of Twin Falls Branch on the trail, so if you reach the crossing, you'll know that you have missed Martha's Falls. Once you turn left into the woods, you'll top a small rise where Pigeon Roost Creek comes into view. Head upstream along the creek without descending to creek-level itself. The lower part of Martha's Falls becomes visible about 250 feet from the trail. The lower part is a long steep run of cascades, slides, and chutes.



When the flow is good enough, it's a pretty impressive sight, although it's hard to picture properly.



However, the upper part of Martha's Falls is the true prize here. If the leaves are off, you may be able to see the upper part through the trees depending on the water flow. To get there, begin scrambling up the extremely steep slope on the same side of the creek. After around 200 feet of scrambling, you will come to a small shelf on the slope with a rock outcrop above it. Turn right here and head to the creek through a small opening in the rhododendron. The upper drop of Martha's Falls is just above this spot - all you have to do is cross the near branch of the creek (should be a dry crossing) and scramble up the rock that is on a small island in the steeply cascading creek. That's where Martha's Falls comes into view, about a tenth of a mile from the Dockery Lake Trail at 6.65 miles.



Martha's Falls (the upper tier) is a spectacular sheer drop of about 40 feet. The lower part of it is a near free-fall. The cliff that Pigeon Roost Creek drops over stretches far out along the slope on the east side of the creek. Even though Martha's Falls has its fair share of deadfall, I think it enhances the scene. In particular, I love how the log in the middle appears to slice the waterfall into two. From Martha's Falls, return to the Dockery Lake Trail and continue down the valley along it, crossing Twin Falls Branch shortly (a rock hop at most water levels). The following section of the trail is one of my favorites along the hike as the trail slowly loses elevation alongside or near cascading Pigeon Roost Creek. At 7.4 miles, there is a junction. While the Dockery Lake Trail stays right and begins ascending out of the valley, a side trail bears left and continues down the valley to shortly reach Waters Creek Road. Stay on the Dockery Lake Trail, which loosely follows Jacobs Knob Branch on its way to Dockery Lake before crossing the stream at 7.75 miles. As the trail continues its climb out of the valley, it curves in and out of a couple other small coves.


TRD photos of his daughters and Otis at the Dockery Lake Falls.

This final ascent along the Dockery Lake Trail is gradual so it is not tiring at all. After the trail finally levels out, there are some nice winter views into the Waters Creek valley to the east around 8.3 miles. Then, at 8.45 miles, notice a very steep side path dropping down to the left to some large rock outcrops. This path actually continues to the waterfall on Waters Creek below Dockery Lake (which I am going to refer to as Dockery Lake Falls). The side trip to Dockery Lake Falls is shorter than the other two waterfalls, but it is extremely steep. Unfortunately, at the time of my hike, Dockery Lake Falls was not a very scenic waterfall - albeit tall - due to heavy deadfall on all parts of it. Thus, I think this side trip will be worth it mainly to hardcore waterfallers, but I am describing it anyway. Once you drop down the path to the rocks, you'll find that the path appears to dissipate past the rocks. Just bear right some and keep east-southeast down the extremely steep slope toward Waters Creek. You'll reach Waters Creek at 8.5 miles, and if you kept going in the right direction, you should have come out at or near the base of the waterfall. In hiking those 250 feet from the trail, you lost 150 feet in elevation!



Dockery Lake Falls is a multi-tier waterfall about 40 feet high. It begins with a steep slide followed by small free-falls and cascades. The setting is quite scenic.


But not as scenic as my daughters.


Meagan and Otis (The original waterfall dog)


Damn there are some real treasures in these old TRD photos.



There is a large observation deck near the dam. A natural cascading waterfall at the end of the dam spillway is visible on Waters Creek to the left just before the trail reaches the lake.



These are the last of the main waterfalls around Woody Gap, Suches, and the Stonepile Gap. Next week, we search for another South Georgia swamp. Help me with suggestions HOTD!!!!

Today's Georgia Natural Wonder Gals take a dip in Dockery


That last one is thinking about swimming.