Georgia Natural Wonder #30 - Falls on Emory Creek. 747

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Georgia Natural Wonder #30 - Falls on Emory Creek

Nestled in northwest Georgia, this trail follows lushly forested creek banks to a pair of stunning, beautiful, remote waterfalls. The trail is a refreshing, water-filled adventure, and especially fun in Georgia’s sweltering summer months: along its scenic length, the trail splashes through 20 creek crossings to the tumbling cascades of Emery Creek Falls.



The remote waterfalls on this trail are well worth the hike, but the trail requires some patience and experience to follow the seldom-marked trail and cross the creek’s slippery beds. While we don’t recommend this trail to novice hikers, it’s one of our Georgia favorites – and can be a fun adventure for experienced hikers. Most of these following photos are my own.



Took an overnight trip with my dog and kids to this secluded trail in the Cohutta Mountains which features a historic Cherokee gathering site, incredibly scenic mountain views, thick and mysterious hemlock groves, and a nice waterfall at the endpoint. This hike is rated difficult/strenuous due to the 2,200 foot elevation decent; however, the views and remoteness of this hike make it well worth the effort. The total time for hiking this trail is approximately 4.5 to 5 hours.



Directions to the trailhead: The Cohutta Wilderness is the largest wilderness area east of the Mississippi. From Chatsworth, GA drive 4.1 miles north on US 411 to the city of Eton. Turn right onto CCC Camp Road at the traffic light (CCC stands for Civilian Conservation Corps, which was a public work relief program that operated from 1933 – 1942 in the United States for unemployed, unmarried men from relief families, ages 18–25 as part of the New Deal). Drive 10 miles and turn left on Forest Road 68/Old CCC Camp Road. Drive 2.4 miles to reach Holly Creek Gap. Stay left on FR 68 and head towards Lake Conasauga. At 5.9 miles you will again veer left to stay on FR 68. At 9.3 miles you will reach the Tearbritches and Emery Creek trailheads. The Emery Creek trailhead is to the left through the large group camping area.



This large camping area is one of the best in Georgia. You’ll probably have many neighbors as the field could hold a group camp for hundreds. I was there once when a traveling band of gypsy hippies had taken over the field.



Took me 30 minutes to find image of field, now I found two.



The stars at night are really incredible. The wind can kick up though, due to high elevation.



The trailhead begins at the upper left corner of the large group campsite (which used to be a gathering spot for the Cherokee people). Again, be warned, the hike is all downhill for 2,200 feet and is not for the faint of heart. The trick is to shuttle a vehicle to the take out, to avoid the climb back up the mountain. Downhill is the only way to hike the Tear Britches Trail across the road, but that is another Georgia Natural Wonder. You go pretty level for .3 miles then you come to a dramatic overlook. For 100 yards flat rock formations line the crest on your right.





My daughter and ex boyfriend at the overlook.





Hendrix at the overlook.





After the overlook, the Emery Creek trail begins a sharp descent into the Emery Creek watershed. Eventually you will begin descending the south side of the Cohutta Mountain via switchbacks. You will see the dirt road to the right and think why didn’t I just hike here from the road? But you miss the overlook then. Soon you will leave the ridge by making an abrupt right turn and you’ll be greeted with more scenic views of the surrounding wilderness. This portion of the path is narrow in places but easily followed. Over the first three miles of the trail it falls at least 1500 feet, probably more.



You will reach a large creek at 2.2 miles. From here a pretty good waterfall is visible upstream. But, it was a real scramble getting through the brush and steep banks to the creek.



As you continue, the path eventually becomes an old roadbed after the creek. The trail may become difficult to discern in some areas, so keep an eye out for the blazes. At 3.6 miles you will reach the now closed FS Road 78E. To find the trail from here is a bit tricky, so take note. The trail will turn left on the defunct FS road and will veer off to the right after a few feet. You will know you’re on the right path if you cross Emery Creek coming in from the left. Here the stream crossings become a bit trickier as the water stream is now larger. You will reach the spur trail to the Upper Emery Creek Falls at 4.2 miles on your right.



The Upper Emery Creek Falls spur trail departs, dropping elevation for a view of the double cascades of the upper waterfall.



The hike treks westbound, dropping elevation and carving through a sharp switchback before arcing southbound toward. The trail reaches a signed intersection and you turn right to hike a short spur trail to the lower falls.



The waterfall plummets over two massive granite outcrops, tumbling into a calm pool of water below.





After the lower falls the trail dives deeper into a lush deciduous forest filled with vibrant green moss, ferns, wildflowers, and mushrooms. The trail crosses the creek again at .05 miles past the lower falls and again at.15 miles, crossing the boulder-strewn creek bed lined with smoothly worn pebbles.



The green-blazed trail ends at .45 miles and you turn left on a logging road bed. The trail crosses a wide tributary creek at .55 miles.



In another half mile you reach the site of an old homestead, where the skeletons of several antique trucks sit rusting in the green, damp forest.



The trail turns left off old road bed and crosses the creek again at .6 miles.


One more shot of Hendrix at the actual waterfall.

The trail playfully winds through the forest, following and then crossing Emery Creek at .9 mile, 1.1 mile, and 1.3 miles past the lower waterfall. At 1.7 miles the hike reaches the convergence of Emery Creek and Holly Creek, the last, and often most difficult, of the many creek crossings on the hike. The trail crosses the two converging creeks, landing briefly on the mid-creek peninsula. When the creek’s flow is normal, there’s really no easy way to cross without getting wet. There is a big old boulder.



The trail follows a ridge high to the left along Holly Creek, catching glimpses of waterfalls and whitewater on the trail’s right far below.





At two miles you have reached the lower Emery Creek Trailhead. I have visited this lower Emory Creek Gorge many times with and without making the hike up to the falls from below.




My buddy, Sean, visits Emory Creek lower section.


Just these first 400 yards from bottom trailhead.





A lot of locals know just where to rock jump. From the top in this photo. I kid you not!



Woo! The lower Emory Creek Gorge.



Alternate route to bottom of trail Take US 411 North from Chatsworth to Eton. Turn right at first light on Forest Service Road 18. Just over a mile after the pavement ends, the trailhead and several parking spots are on your left. The creek will be to the left of main trail from this direction. There is even a direct path to creek on left and you can rock hop up the gorge. This is the easiest hike to falls in and back, to miss the steep descent from the top field.



While these waterfalls aren’t the tallest in Georgia, they’re some of the most remote and serene. The great little boulder filled gorge at the lower trailhead is a great spot by itself. Their remote location and relatively difficult access keep the falls secluded from many hikers. And the splashy, wet adventure to the falls makes the hike a fun summertime adventure. Take a picnic to enjoy below the waterfalls, and enjoy the quiet of the southern Cohutta Wilderness.


Even in this first section, you are pretty high in elevation.

Because this area is so remote, challenging, and the trails are sometimes sporadically blazed or not marked at all, always tell someone where you’re going and pack an official paper map and wayfinding essentials, such as a GPS and compass (and know how to use them if you’re lost). Always pack emergency essentials. And it’s always best to avoid trails along the rivers and creeks in the weeks following a heavy rain.



A damn good Natural Wonder of Georgia, this Emory Creek trail is one of my personal favorites. From the camp out in the tall mountain meadow star gazing, to the falls and the rocky playground right at the lower trailhead. Our GNW gal today is like those gypsy hippie gals camping at the lake Conasauga overflow camping area. man that was really something they travelled as a group to different off the beaten path campgrounds. They stay until run off, man they was glad I came up there with some spare doobies to puff.



Back to the coast for a remarkable Island and our next Georgia Natural Wonder very saintly.