Chasing Waterfalls

January 12, 2016  •  1 Comment

Lots of Goals for 2016. One is hiking a different trail every month, this also helps with cross training for my half. My friend Lori wants to find a different waterfall every month and just generally get outside and find adventure. I have found my "sole" mate. I know..I know. Anyway we synced up to go explore up near Helen. I found this hike (blue hole falls and high shoals falls) that had 2 waterfalls off of it that didn't sound too bad, she looked into it and said let's go. Now thank God she knew someone who had been up there before because it was nearly impossible to find without a couple of key tips.

#1 You NEVER see the road coming in from Helen. You have to do a u-turn to get onto Indian Grave Gap Rd.

#2 You have to drive across a creek. If you have been paying attention to our rainfall then you know the creek is now a river.

Lori knew this ahead of time. She accessed the situation with a very scientific method (rain boots and a stick) and decided it was doable.

Once we crossed the water we had to drive what felt like straight up a very badly maintained gravel road to the top of the mountain to a tiny parking lot (maybe enough room for 3 cars) at the trail head. Also note this trail is closed to hikers from October until the 1st of January. During this time it is hunting season and you will likely get shot if you are roaming around here.

The entire trail was littered with this bright green moss

We found this cave that Lori had to curl up in like a bear

We came to the first off shoot and decided to pass it by and save it for the way back and keep descending

This is High Shoals Falls

With all the rain we have had they were at their peak

Lori left her mark

Hi Lori!

We climbed all around this area. It is slick. The trail that lead down to the bottom was too slippery to walk down so Lori scaled the side of the overlook and we went down that way. After many goofy pictures we headed further down the trail, crossed a small stream and saw some cabins. We decided to take a closer look.

We saw this deer a few times. He seemed wounded (insert sad face)

As we go onto the property and got a closer look we realized someone was inside so we did not wander around much more (no trespassing/private property signs all around us) and well this was hunting land. Though getting shot is on Lori's bucket list, it is not on mine.

So now we had to ascend back up, break for snacks and chit chat with the family coming out of the path we skipped on the way down.

They had a 16 year old terrier that was trucking up those trails like he was a youngster.

Coming toward the cave from the other direction

Blue Hole Falls

 

This would be a great spot in the summer to cool off. You can swim up under the falls and there is a natural pool at the bottom.

After all that hiking (every bit of 5 miles) it was time to head back through Helen and stop and get some German lunch.

This is a far as we got. Once we got out of the car I swear the temperature dropped 20 degrees and the wind was mighty. No schlepping through the German village to ogle candle makers and sample fudge

(insert sad face x2)

Don't feel too sorry for us though...this place was amazeballs!

Fried cheese kabob , mocha coffee to warm my soul, goulash soup and a chicken shnitzel sandwich

if you would like a good laugh check this out

 

 

 

 

 


Comments

Lori lori(non-registered)
Excellent review! 2 thumbs up!
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