Georgia Natural Wonder #32 - Mill Creek Falls. 568

[Top Row Dawg]

Georgia Natural Wonder #32 Mill Creek Falls

I need a break after that gargantuan St. Catherines Island so I am moving this one up the list because its easier with mostly my pictures. It’s also one of my favorite North Georgia weekend camp outs at Hickey Gap Campground. The waterfalls of Mill Creek are special because there are few waterfalls in the Cohutta Mountains when related to other parts of the North Georgia Mountains. The waterfalls that do exist in the Cohuttas are generally found alone. In a little more than a half-mile, the Mill Creek comes over four waterfalls, including two that are significant! The first cascade only 100 yards from the camp ground is worth the visit all by itself. There are so many levels to linger. There are many smaller cascades, and an easy unofficial trail follows the creek with access to all of the gorgeous scenery.


1st cascade.

To reach the Mill Creek waterfalls, begin hiking down the gravel road that east-southeast from the day use parking area at Hickey Gap off FS 630. In 0.1 miles, the road reaches the Hickey Gap Campground. Camping is free of charge and sites are available on a first-come basis. Dogs are allowed but should be kept on a leash in the campground. Now this description is from the day use parking at the top of the hill. Do not park down by the bathrooms or in the campground unless you are in a designated spot camping. Ticket alert.


This photo shows the campground the best, all along the Mill Creek above all the falls. Kids next to us caught 16 trout just by tent.


Prime spot closest to restroom, creek, and falls.

Turn right and walk to Mill Creek past the restrooms. At Mill Creek, an unsigned but well-defined trail begins, heading in the downstream direction along the same side of the creek. There are no creek crossings all the way to the base of the 3rd Falls. After a flat start, the trail approaches the top of the long cascading 1st Falls on Mill Creek at 0.15 miles.



Stay on the main path as it hugs the steep slope alongside the 1st Falls.

   
The trail goes above the cliff in the left of this photo and comes down below the top of the first cascade.


You have to climb back up the rocks for this view.

You look down from the top of the cliffs at the first fall. Rhododendron in bloom.



The first fall by the campground.



The first side path leads to a gorgeous midpoint view of the falls.



These 1st cascades keep going.


Looking down from midpoint.

The second and third side paths on the left lead to the base of 1st Falls at 0.2 miles. 1st Falls on Mill Creek is a very picturesque set of cascades, slides, and short drops where the creek loses about 30 feet in elevation spread out over several hundred feet.



Little side falls and swirl holes at the lower section of 1st cascades.





Whole 1st cascade section is fabulous and just yards from the campground.



Big boulder. You know I love boulders.



1st falls is fairly far from the other three waterfalls, so it is also known as Upper Mill Creek Falls.



Embarrassed to admit I came here more than once and only knew about and played on these upper falls right by the campground.





Then one visit these young kids camping while we were day hiking said mister you ain’t seen nothing, follow us. The trail continues to follow the cascading Mill Creek closely, soon coming to a nice campsite. Just past the campsite is a split at 0.45 miles. One path bears left and down to the creek. The route then follows exposed bedrock along the creek for about 200 feet.



Creek glides over bedrock.



During very high water levels, the bedrock may be underwater though, so the path that bears right at the split serves as a steep bypass. During normal water levels, you can stay left as I did and follow the edge of the creek past a neat bluff.


Getting wet is optional on this hike.

Once the paths rejoin at about 0.5 miles, the main trail bears left and passes above the small 2nd Falls at 0.6 miles.



A short rock scramble leads to the base.



2nd Falls on Mill Creek is only about 10 feet high but the sheer drop is still pretty. But not as pretty as my daughter, our GNW gal of the day fellas.



2nd Falls is very close to 3rd Falls, and in fact, the outflow of 2nd Falls quickly turns into the beginning of 3rd Falls.



The trail briefly comes out onto sloping bedrock near the top of the 3rd Falls - be careful here.



A few feet farther, as the trail begins plunging down to the base of 3rd Falls, there is a great view of the impressive slide that forms the waterfall. Meanwhile, to reach the base, the trail descends down an ultra-steep slope on the north side of the falls. The route is very obvious, but it is also more difficult than anything else on this otherwise easy hike due to how steep it is. At times, the rocks on the scramble can also be slick. There are usually several ropes that aid with the descent. It definitely is doable to most folks and well worth the effort. The trail reaches the base of 3rd Falls at 0.65 miles.


The little dudes who showed me the way down here. The tough trail in background.



3rd Falls on Mill Creek is by far the largest of the four waterfalls on the creek.



For this reason, it is often simply called "Mill Creek Falls", because some folks simply fail to recognize the other three drops as legit waterfalls due to 3rd Falls overshadowing them.



The total height of 3rd Falls on Mill Creek is probably in the vicinity of 50 feet, but you can see only about 30 to 40 feet of it from the base due to the increasingly steeper angle of the sliding drop.



During the high flow of winter and spring, this waterfall is especially scenic as the creek slides down the cliff in a froth of white that culminates in a sparkling symmetric pool.



A rope hanging from a nearby tree gives thrill-seekers the chance to let loose while easier access points allow entry for those who don’t want to make as big a splash.



The setting is also scenic thanks to the cliffs and steep slopes that hem in the falls and pool.


Farewell little dudes.

While the trail ends at 3rd Falls, it isn't hard to reach the base of 4th Falls, which lies only about 250 feet downstream. Rock hop along the same side of the creek until you approach the top of 4th Falls. Keep in mind that the rocks are extremely slick!



When you near the top of the small 4th Falls about 200 feet below 3rd Falls, cross the creek at a calm spot and then scramble down the short goat path on the opposite side to the base of 4th Falls at 0.7 miles.



4th Falls on Mill Creek is a steeply-siding scenic waterfall of about 15 feet. In some ways, it is like a miniature version of 3rd Falls, with another deep sparkling pool at the base and a cliff on the north side. If there's a lot of people at the base of 3rd Falls (which is possible as the trail is well-known to locals and especially to folks who stay in the campground), then you can often bet on solitude at 4th Falls.



The trail ends here, but if you’re feeling extra adventurous, you can continue downstream using the river as a guide. From 4th Falls, simply retrace your steps past the other three waterfalls and to the parking area.



You'll return to your car at Hickey Gap at 1.4 miles, concluding this short, fairly easy, and very rewarding hike.



Hickey Gap is perfect for the days you don't feel like knocking off miles, but still want to get out and explore. Very little skill is required to reach the hot spots, so anyone looking for a river swim can access the pools.



What a great camp spot, what a great weekend.



Directions from Chatsworth, GA: From the intersection of US 411 (3rd Avenue) and US 76/GA 52 West (G I Maddox Parkway) north of downtown Chatsworth, follow US 411 North for 5.8 miles, and then, turn right onto Grassy Street in the community of Crandall. In 0.4 miles, turn right onto Crandall-Ellijay Road after crossing the railroad tracks, and 0.1 mile farther, turn left onto Mill Creek Road. Mill Creek Road, which quickly turns into unpaved FS 630, remains in great shape suitable for all passenger vehicles. After 6.5 miles, Mill Creek Road passes through Hickey Gap. Here, a side road leaves right and downhill to Hickey Gap Campground. The signed "Day Use Parking" is right at the intersection in the gap. Park here - there is space for several cars.


No sign or blazes for falls or trail. There is this sign for the Gap and campground so you know you are in the right spot.

Our GNW Gals today actually in the Cohutta Wilderness.



Well folks it’s off to Columbia 1 early Saturday and a late night getting home. I know very little about these Georgia Islands and I take a lot of time getting too detailed on them so it will be Monday before the next wonder, back to the sea.