HIKING THE APPALACHIANS AND BEYOND
  • Home
  • Trail Reports
    • Best Hikes
    • Hikes with Scenic Views
    • Hikes with Water Features
    • Alabama
    • Georgia
    • Florida
    • North Carolina
    • South Carolina
    • Tennessee
    • Vermont
    • Virginia
  • Map
  • Hike List
  • Testimonials
  • Resources
  • Contact Us
  • Southeast Nature Society
    • Our Team
  • Georgia Waterfalls Database

Southern Nantahala Wilderness: Deep Gap Branch Trail, Appalachian Trail (Deep Gap to Beech Gap over Standing Indian Mountain), Beech Gap Connector, and Beech Creek Trail, Tate City, Georgia

3/31/2015

19 Comments

 
Picture
Southern Nantahala Wilderness is one of only two wilderness areas in Nantahala National Forest. However, it covers some very rugged and beautiful terrain across extreme southern North Carolina and a small section of north Georgia. The Tallulah River is one of the main rivers that eventually forms the Savannah River. Its headwaters are here. On this hike, you'll have a chance to see several of the headwater streams, at least two waterfalls, and an outstanding view. One thing though - be prepared for everything except an easy hike. This hike occurred on Saturday, March 7th, 2015. My plan was to hike the Deep Gap Branch Trail from the Dreamcatcher Cove Trailhead to its end on the Appalachian Trail at Deep Gap. From there, I would follow the Appalachian Trail to check out the vista on Standing Indian Mountain, this time in it's winter state, and then continue to Beech Gap. From Beech Gap, I would take an overgrown connector trail to Beech Creek Trail, and then continue down Beech Creek Trail to its end near the North Carolina/Georgia state line. I would finish the hike with a little roadwalk. 

R/T Length of Trail: 13.8 Miles
Duration of Hike: 9:00
Type of Hike: Loop
Difficulty Rating: 10 out of 10
Pros: Panoramic views; easy Appalachian Trail section; lots of small water features
Cons: Deep Gap Branch Trail is very steep and has blowdowns; Beech Gap Connector is extremely steep, even steeper than Deep Gap Branch, and is almost like off-trail; numerous fords of Beech Creek and other tributaries of Tallulah River; numerous blowdowns on lower sections of Beech Creek Trail
Scenic Views: Standing Indian Mountain Vistas - 8 stars
Water Features: Cascades on Deep Gap Branch - 4 stars; High Falls - N/A; Bull Cove Falls - N/A
Best Season(s) to Hike: Year-round - vista is best in winter and fords are best in summer
Trail Blaze Color(s): Deep Gap Branch Trail - Blue; Appalachian Trail - White; Beech Gap Connector - Faded Blue; Beech Creek Trail - None
Beginning Point: Dreamcatcher Cove Trailhead (possibly referred to as Upper Tallulah River Trailhead or Deep Gap Branch Trailhead)
Directions: From Tate City, GA: From Tate City, follow Tate City Road north  for about 2 miles until the dead end. While the road is unpaved, it is in perfect condition and can be driven by any vehicle. Since Tate City may not be a well-known location, please contact me for additional directions, if needed. 
WARNING - Very Strenuous Hike!
Before I get into the description of this hike, I would like to give a fair warning: this hike is not for a novice, and not even for a constant hiker. If you plan to hike the entire route described here, you MUST have significant hiking experience, be sure to have enough energy for a whole-day, very strenuous hike, and most importantly, navigational skills are absolutely required. The 0.5-mile Beech Gap Connector Trail can barely be called a trail, and you are likely to be scrambling down steep slopes through growth while doing that trail, especially in summer. Please have a compass and map or a GPS device with you, if you plan on hiking down Beech Gap Connector - it's nearly impossible to get through there without knowing where you are going for sure. 


This hike starts at the end of Tate City Road. Start following the old road uphill along the Tallulah River, which is pretty small here and only the size of an average stream. Immediately enter Southern Nantahala Wilderness. The trail you are currently on Beech Creek Trail. After undulating above the banks of Tallulah River, the trail passes through an overgrown field at 0.3 miles. This is the site of a former Girl Scout Camp. At 0.4 miles, reach a junction with the Deep Gap Branch Trail. Here, the Beech Creek Trail angles right and continues following the old road on its way to Case Knife Gap and the Beech Creek watershed. You'll eventually return to the Beech Creek Trail much further down in the Beech Creek watershed, but for now, continue straight on the Deep Gap Branch Trail. Make a crossing of Chimney Rock Branch and continue through dense rhododendron that is choking the trail. At 0.5 miles, Thomas Creek flows into what is now Deep Gap Branch on the left. Crossing the stream and going off-trail up Thomas Creek will take you to Thomas Creek Falls. After this, the trail continues to follow closely Deep Gap Branch. There are blue blazes here and there, but the condition of the trail is still not very good. There are a lot of blowdowns and some overgrowth. Pay attention to the trail for the next half-mile, as there are several places where it seems to disappear. At 0.7 miles, the trail steeply climbs around a small cliff at the creek. A small creek drops off another cliff on the right, creating a wet-weather waterfall. At 0.8 miles, Wateroak Creek drops into Deep Gap Branch on the left. An overgrown trail crosses the stream and climbs up Wateroak Creek to a waterfall. If you have extra time, both this waterfall and Thomas Creek Falls might be worth a try. Around here, there are also some scenic cascades on Deep Gap Branch. At 1 mile, the trail enters a flat area. By now, I was thinking "where the heck is the over 1000-foot climb when I was already nearly halfway to Deep Gap?". I would find out shortly. After the flat area, at 1.1 miles the trail crosses Deep Gap Branch (a normally dry crossing), and after briefly following it, begins an arduous climb. 


All of a sudden, a nearly flat trail turned into a climb with grades being some of the steepest I've encountered while hiking anywhere. These grades were similar to a 0.6-mile section that was the last leg of a climb to Blackrock, but the trail there was better constructed and easier to climb up. Here, it's just a dirt path that wet up straight up the mountainside without any switchbacks. After this steep pitch, the trail briefly moderated and crossed Deep Gap Branch again at 1.4 miles. This is also a dry crossing, but it is a little tricky, because you have the option of crossing by a fallen log or by rocks and then scrambling up a very steep slope. After this crossing, the extra-steep climb resumed in earnest. While there were some short, steep switchbacks here, they were not helping at all - or maybe helping to not fall off the trail, but that's it. The steep climb continued for 0.4 miles until 1.8 miles, and there are few places to even catch your breath in this section. As you approach the top of the steep section, look back - there is a good winter panorama, with views of Big Scaly Mountain and the Tallulah River Valley. After this, the climb finally moderated. A waterfall can be heard on the left on the now small Deep Gap Branch. However, there is no visible way to reach the waterfall - I couldn't even tell where exactly it was. At 1.9 miles, the trail reached an old roadbed, which was a welcome change from the type of trail that I had just hiked. While there is no sign or blaze detailing the turn,turn left onto the old roadbed. According to maps, turning right on the overgrown roadbed will eventually take you to case Knife Gap, although I'm not sure if it's possible to get there from here without serious off-trail hiking. After turning left, cross the now tiny Deep Gap Branch and follow the old roadbed as it gradually ascended along the slopes. At 2.2 miles, at a rock cairn and a trail marker, turn sharply right onto another old roadbed. Follow this nearly flat old roadbed to the terminus of the Deep Gap Branch Trail at Deep Gap. 


Deep Gap is a major trail junction and also a trailhead with a parking area. The Deep Gap Branch Trail ends here. The Appalachian Trail crosses from left to right. The Kimsey Creek Trail drops off into the Kimsey Creek watershed on the opposite end of the parking area. If turning left onto the Appalachian Trail, you will be hiking southbound and will cross over Chunky Gal Mountain and then enter Whiteoak Stamp. However, this hike turns right onto the Appalachian Trail in the direction of Standing Indian Mountain. Even though the rest of the climb is easy, your energy is probably drained from the first part of the hike. The trail ascends along the flank of a Standing Indian Mountain spur ridge, crossing a muddy drainage on a footbridge and then re-entering the Southern Nantahala Wilderness. After crossing the ridge, the trail follows it and hen reaches Standing Indian Shelter and surrounding campsites at 3.5 miles. A spur trail leads right to the shelter - a spur trail leads left to the campsites and water from the headwaters of Little Lymon Prong. This is a branch of Kimsey Creek. After this, the trail followed the spur ridge to its end and rounded the upper end of the Little Lymon Prong drainage. Then, the trail started ascending via switchbacks onto the upper part of Standing Indian Mountain. There are great winter views into both the Nantahala River basin and the Tallulah River basin. After countless switchbacks, the trail finally topped out onto the upper ridge of Standing Indian Mountain at 4.5 miles. The trail followed the ridge and made the final push to the summit of Standing Indian Mountain. At 4.9 miles, the Appalachian Trail passed a side trail on the left leading to water from the Devils Prong of Kimsey Creek, and then reached a junction. Here, a spur trail went right to the summit of Standing Indian Mountain and its two vistas. Meanwhile,the Lower Ridge Trail went left to reach Standing Indian Campground in 4 miles. That was the trail which I used to get here on my first hike to Standing Indian Mountain. I took a right turn to see the vistas on Standing Indian Mountain. The spur trail does one final push to the summit of Standing Indian Mountain, reaching it at 5 miles. Elevation here is 5499 feet.


There is a large campsite at the summit in a clearing. There's a nice vista on the right, although the best one is if you continue on the blue-blazed spur trail beyond the summit. Reach the vista after passing through a narrow crevice in the rocks. The view is amazing! Directly ahead, the evening sun was illuminating Lake Chatuge which was tucked in behind Chunky Gal Mountain. On the left, you could see the Tallulah River Valley and more into Georgia, including into Rabun County, and a view of Lake Burton. Directly below, you can see where you came from - the upper Tallulah River area. And on the right,  the views stretch for miles into the Nantahala Mountains, and on a clear day, you can see the Great Smoky Mountains.Once you have acquired the views from the vista, retrace your steps to the Appalachian Trail, reaching it at 5.1 miles. Turn right and begin aiming for Beech Gap. The next nearly 3 miles are some of the easiest on the hike, so enjoy them while you can - bigger challenges lay ahead. The trail follows a ridge with some occasional winter views, although for the most part, it is hidden in thick growth. At 6.5 miles, the trail heads off to the left of the ridge and begins switchbacking down to Beech Gap. The descent is gradual and easy. The trail reaches Beech Gap at 8 miles with another trail junction. The Timber Ridge Trail heads off left into the Nantahala River Valley, while the AT continues straight to Little Bald Knob and eventually Albert Mountain. In addition, an unmarked side trail slips through the campsites on the right. This is the roue of this hike. 


Turn right onto the side trail, and go amid campsites before reaching a small stream. I'm going to try to describe this next section, the best I can, but it's hard to give a good description - the next half-mile is a combination of pretty much off-trail and very steep slopes with few ways to tell where you're going, besides your own. If you keep following the path (with a few encouraging faded blue blazes), you will run into a dead-end beside the small stream. This is what happened to me. The trail crossed the stream a little earlier, but I couldn't find where, so I just bushwhacked across the stream and got back on the trail. The path here is more or less visible, but it's hard to tell it apart from the rest of the land around. Occasional faded blue blazes and a rock cairn will help to guide you to the start of the steep descent. And when I'm saying steep, that means nothing - steep is an extreme UNDERSTATEMENT! If you want to try going up this section, you're probably not going to make it. Believe it or not, this is probably twice steeper than Deep Gap Branch Trail, and I had to butt slide down this trail of sorts almost the entire way. One thing you need to keep in mind is that you must stay to the north (or to the right) of the small stream the entire time, and be going in a direction that has Big Scaly Mountain directly in front of you. The rough direction you must be going the entire time is northwest. The trail will descend past many fallen trees and some rock slabs. Luckily, there are no cliffs here, so at least the terrain is passable. Much of the trail will be sliding straight down, but while you're at it, try to keep your eyes peeled for the occasional faded blue blaze. They are here and there, although most are very hard to tell, as they could just be thin slivers of blue paint or a few dots. When you start hearing the waters of a bigger waterway, it means you're almost there, with about 0.1 miles to go, although the steepness and the sliding doesn't abate until the very end. At 8.5 miles, ford Beech Creek below a large cascade. This is generally an easy ford, although it might not be during high water. After the ford, climb up the bank and turn left onto an old roadbed, shortly reaching the terminus of this so-called connector trail at the Beech Creek Trail. If you've made it this far, congratulations. I mean seriously, by far not everyone can make it down that connector trail. If you're unsure of where you're going, it's best to turn around. Turning around is always a better choice than getting lost, although I suppose if you bushwhack down the little stream to Beech Creek, you could make it on the Beech Creek Trail anyway. But anyway, if you've made it out onto the Beech Creek Trail, you're good to go. You've done the hardest section of the hike, and all that remains is several fords and a ton of blowdowns. 


At the Beech Creek Trail junction, you have two choices: to turn right and ascend to Case Knife Gap, before descending back down to Deep Gap Branch and the trailhead or you could continue down the Beech Creek Trail past Bull Cove to the lower trailhead, and then roadwalk Tate City Road to the trailhead. That is what I did. Since I was here in the dark, I didn't do the spur trail to High Falls, but if you're here, you might want to do the extra 0.8 miles roundtrip - I've read that it's worth it, especially after heavy rainfall. So from the connector trail, turn right for High Falls, or to continue my route, turn left and follow the old road downstream along Beech Creek. Shortly afterwards, pass a rock ruin on the right - this was a place where corundum was crushed a long time ago. After this, for the next 1.1 miles, the trail stays downhill and closely follows Beech Creek, crossing several of its tributaries. At 9.1 miles, pass a wet-weather cascade on the right on a tributary. Then, at 9.6 miles, descend down a drainage and reach the second ford of Beech Creek. A blowdown has obscured where the trail goes next after the ford, but just cross the creek, go around the blowdown, and you'll see the old road continuing. At 9.7 miles, cross (or ford if during wet weather) a large tributary of Beech Creek, flowing out of Bull Cove. Right before this crossing, a faint side trail takes off along the tributary to Bull Cove Falls, a waterfall that would be best seen after heavy rainfall, just like High Falls. I didn't take this spur trail, just like I didn't to High Falls. I didn't see a reason to in the dark, especially since I was quite tired by now. After this, the blowdowns come one after another, one after another, never stopping. Somewhere in these blowdowns I missed the turnoff for the trail to the right. The trail was rerouted from the old road to avoid private property. If you find the turnoff, you should expect another ford of Beech Creek, a 0.3-mile long easy to moderate climb, and a short but steep downhill section near the trailhead. but I continued straight on the road, thinking I would see some sort of private property sign if I missed the turn. Well, I never did, and I was getting increasingly suspicious when the road was almost completely blocked by blowdowns, and then when I saw on my GPS device that I was further south then I was thinking I was. However, I didn't feel like turning back, so I decided to just continue on, since I knew this route leads out too in a slightly longer way. I forded Beech Creek the 3rd time,and then passed an old sign nailed to a tree. The sign said "North Carolina State Line". My suspicions proved right - I had missed the turn for the trail. After a ton of more blowdowns, I forded Beech Creek for the 4th and final time, and reached a house and its driveway. the house appeared to be vacant, but I wasn't sure. I quietly slipped past the house and continued on the driveway, reaching Tate City Road at around 12 miles. I turned right, and hiked the remaining 1.8 miles to the trailhead following the road. 


To summarize, this is an extremely strenuous hike, although it does have its rewards with both vistas and water features. I'd say that if you want a challenge, do the whole loop, but otherwise, see the Beech Creek watershed waterfalls and maybe the Deep Gap Branch watershed waterfalls in one hike, and Standing Indian Mountain in another hike. Below are my pictures and a video.
19 Comments
Steve Kilinski
11/10/2015 11:04:04 am

Great description. We just moved near the area and have been looking for good trails to hike. Best account of an experience we have found yet. Thanks. Hope to make the hike soon.

Reply
Mark Oleg
11/13/2015 01:44:28 pm

Glad you liked it. It's a good hike, but it's pretty strenuous. Good luck if you do it. Keep in mind it's best done in winter, even with the fords.

Reply
Elizabeth Fox
11/21/2016 06:21:15 pm

Hi Mark. I have a home in Tate City (part-time resident) and stumbled onto your fabulous description of your trek from 3/31/2015. My friend and I are actually the last ones to re-blaze the lower part of the Deep Gap Branch Trail. I have done all of the same area you hiked (Standing Indian from Deep Gap numerous times) but have never taken that connector trail down to Beech Creek. (I have seen it on the topo map and knew that it was impossible ;-). There is another connector trail down from the Standing Indian ridge and marked with a rock cairn that goes down to meet the Beech Creek Trail at the base of Big Scaly. It is a bit easier but I am not sure it is blazed unless the ATC has done that in the past year or two. In any event, I am writing to let you know that I have been following the fires closely and saw that the fire overcame Big Scaly yesterday. Firefighters are attempting to protect the AT below Deep Gap and east of Big Scaly. What a difficult task they have had. Loved your blog and just signed up. Will go back and read your other treks. 11/21/16.

Sam Johnson
12/21/2015 02:34:00 pm

About to take 2 teens on this hike. Did it myself over 20 years ago and remember that climb up deep gap. We will be doing it at an easy pace and camping 2 nights so we can take everything in and enjoy the magnificence.

Reply
Mark Oleg
12/21/2015 03:43:52 pm

3 days and 2 nights are a good amount for this hike. You can camp near the summit of Standing Indian Mountain for the first night, and near Beech Creek for the second night. Keep in mind that the descent from Beech Gap to Beech Creek is difficult and not for a novice hiker.

Reply
Sam Johnson
12/21/2018 12:52:07 pm

I just saw your reply, we camped at the top of Standing Indian, awesome! then camped along Beech creek in a bottom area just before the short ridge over to the road. It was a fun trip. We had no difficulty negotiating the steep descent down the gap between the AT and Beech creek loop but its definitely not for beginners.

Bill Solomon
2/23/2016 08:45:39 pm

I've been hiking this area for about 12 years and really love the mix of landscape. I hate to hear that lower Beech Cr Trial has a lot of blowdowns. Not been down that way in years. I typically go the way you did but the other direction. Fav is is to go up Chimney Cr Trail, see Chimney Cr rocks, a climbing area, then proceed to Case Knife Gap, where the old AT shelter was long ago. The roofing tin is still around. Somewhere in there is the old trail (likely disappeared by growth) up to the AT. Proceed down the trail. The side trail to High Falls is worth it. It rains a lot at Standing Indian, about 85 in. a year, so waterfalls are good except late summer/early fall. Just downstream I take the Beech Gap connector, sometimes there is a locally made sign, sometimes not. I'd rather go up that than down! Coming down Deep Gap trail is easier for sure. The whole area has so much to offer, so many different hikes, many loop hikes. Don't go end of October though, start of bear hunting season and Deep Cr./Beech Cr. have a lot of bear dens drawing a lot of dogs and hunters!

Reply
Bill Solomon
5/6/2016 02:22:41 pm

I've been studying historical topo maps of the Tallulah/Nantahala area from the era long before autos or electricity were in this area, 1890s+.

Amazed to see the Beech Cr connector trail existed back then and crossed over the ridge. That trail may have been used by Native Americans as a shortcut and later used by settlers. Back then, Rock Gorge cut the upper Tallulah Valley off from the world. You had to go over steep mountains on foot or horse. The road through the gorge was blasted in the early 1920s as they built a railroad for the corundum mines and logging.

If you hike the AT, you know of Bly Gap just north of the GA/NC state line. You can see an old road from there heading NW, that is Bly Gap road existed in the 1890s. The road crossed over and split, Fall Cr road NE, Charlies Cr road SE, on which several cabins were situated.

If you know the Grassy Ridge trail up to Carters Gap, that trail existed in the 1890s, too. That is a high country trail worth checking out, too.

Reply
Steve Song
10/29/2019 03:22:18 pm

When I was hiking Beech creek trail on Oct.21 2019, I met 4 bear hunters at the stacked -rock ruin corundum. no problem
While I was climbing on the trail to Beech Gap, met friendly 3 hunting dogs.

Reply
Bill Solomon
2/6/2020 07:42:42 pm

Steve, just happened to refer back to this page by chance. The wildfire of 2017 changed everything in this area. The once lush vegetation will come back over time, though. You were there on the first weekend of bear hunting, the only time you'll see many people in this area. You can tell by the number of pickups with dog cages at the end of Tallulah River Rd. Just below Chimney Rocks is a steep cove with overhang caves where the bears have dens for birthing. The bear hunters tend to focus that area. I'm not against hunting as I grew up in rural Alabama, but hunters don't use all the bear and I don't trust them to not shoot cubs or mothers. The one advantage the bears have that you discovered is that they hunters spend more time looking for their dogs than they do bears. I go to that area every fall to camp and see more tagged hunting dogs running around than any wildlife! They are usually hungry by then so I give each a hand full of nuts. The owners do find the dogs with their GPS location trackers eventually. Out of curiosity I wrote the NC Wildlife manager. In 2016 there were 1200 bears killed in NC though they have nothing to do with deer or other animal populations. There is no bear season in GA. Ironically, NC even has a wildcat hunting season, which does affect the deer population. About 850 wildcat were killed in NC in 2016.

Larry Walls
2/6/2017 08:05:58 pm

Hi Mark,excellent description of your hike and the upper Tallulah River Basin. We explored this area often during the 1990's and never completed the loop as you did, but we did make it up to the Appalachian Trail at Deep Gap once. I wanted to better locate the Girl Scout camp for those who may be interested in visiting it. The overgrown field at 0.3 miles is actually the location of an old corundum mine. (This is an abrasive used in the making of grinding wheels etc.) The Girl Scout camp is at 0.4 miles just after you cross Deep Gap Branch. After crossing the stream, Deep Gap Trail turns right but if you continue straight and slightly left a short way, you will see the remains of the camp on the right. The tent sites are leveled and outlined with rocks and there are several fire rings still visible. The camp and all the surrounding acreage was donated to the National Forest Service by the Dorothy Thomas Foundation in the late 60's or 70's. Continuing on the unmarked trail to the left will take you to a very small double waterfall at about 100 yards.
This area is beginning to become overgrown with underbrush due to the loss of the Hemlock Tree canopy that kept the forest floor shaded. The last time I was there was summer of 2015 and you could still locate the campground then.
Thanks for letting me hike along with you and thanks for the great pictures.

Reply
Mark Oleg
2/6/2017 08:18:40 pm

Larry,
Thanks for letting me know where the old girl scout camp location is. I'll check it out next time that I am in this area.
As a matter of fact, I have been planning to do some more hiking in this area in March, and I plan on locating Wateroak Creek Falls, which is not far from the old girl scout camp site. I am also planning on seeing High Falls in daylight and the summit of Big Scaly Mountain.
Mark

Reply
Bill Solomon
2/6/2020 07:49:28 pm

Larry, I don't know if you'll ever see this comment, but here it is just the same. The wildfires swept through most of the upper Tallulah area in Oct. 2017. I camped each fall at the old Girl Scout camp, absolutely one of my fav places with so many hike options and waterfalls. However, most of the old giant hemlocks had died or were dying. The wildfires burned up the trashy limbs but the fallen trunks remain. The wooly adelgid ruined the scenic beauty of this area as it had so many others. However, hemlock seedlings are already growing so in another 100 years this area will again be pristine!

Reply
Larry Walls
2/6/2020 09:17:18 pm

Thanks for the comment Bill. I am sorry for the loss of so many hemlocks in this area. They kept the forest floor shaded and their absence is allowing the undergrowth to come in. I haven't seen the girl scout camp in years but we will be camping at Tate Branch with the grandchildren this summer. I plan to take them up there during our visit. I'm glad to hear there are seedlings of hemlock coming back. At least it is not as bad as the blight that killed off the chestnuts so long ago.

John W
1/25/2021 07:37:12 pm

Very nice trail report. I have done various parts of the trail sections you described many many times over 35 years. I used to lease the log cabin on Beech Creek with some friends in the 90's and used it as a base for exploring the valley and it's trails. If you really want to check out a challenging trail look at Little Bald Knob to the log cabin on Beech Creek via Bear Pen Ridge. We opened a trail along that route many years ago and it was viable before the fire. Haven't been back there since but will check it out in the early spring. Ang the actual "bald" on Little Bald is a very interesting place to visit.
With the trees down on the east side the trails there are in pretty bad shape. Nothing like the 90's when we were maintaining year round.
Suggest you check out the Holden Cove Trail on the west side just before the end of the road. 3.2 miles of recently maintained trail to White Oak Stamp and the AT. One of my favorite hikes in the valley right now. I'm living in the valley now and am up and down that trail quite a bit.

Reply
Donald Browning
10/16/2022 04:15:04 pm

I have been hiking and camping for many years in this area. For some reason, Little Bald has had my fascination and I’ve camped many times up on the bald, last night for instance. I had a terrible time finding water this time, usually can find some at Kilby Creek spring near the bald. I usually come up from the south, Steeltrap, Dicks, Bear Gap and on up. This route is all bushwhack and terribly hard with all the downed trees. Yesterday I walked in from the south, Beech Gap trail and the AT, bushwhacking to the top (really hard). I had a fire an stars were nice. I always have the place to myself

Reply
Bill Solomon
6/23/2022 12:15:37 am

John W,
Thanks for posting some great, detailed trail info. Holden Cr has been on my list 10 years, but thought it was overgrown. Now one can make even more loop hikes in the upper Tallulah and have much of that vast forest to ones self. Is the Beech Creek trail still wrecked with downed trees? I wish there was an email to contact you!

Reply
Edirne ECA servisi link
8/3/2022 05:58:38 pm

Edirne ECA servisi hizmetlerimiz memnuniyet odaklıdır. Detayları incelemek için hemen web adresimize göz at! https://www.edirneklimaservisi.com/edirne-eca-servisi/

Reply
Edirne baymak servisi link
8/4/2022 06:26:26 am

Edirne baymak servisi en uygun fiyat ve en hızlı servis garantisi ile sizlerle. https://www.edirneklimaservisi.com/edirne-baymak-servisi/

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    About Me

    Mark Oleg Ozboyd
    I'm an avid outdoor explorer and a hobbyist landscape photographer. I'm 21 years old and have been hiking since 2011. Originally based out of Atlanta, Georgia, I started out by occasionally hiking short trails throughout well-known Georgia State Parks. During 2012 and 2013, I began to expand my trips into adjacent states, as well as into the wilder National Forest areas rather than just State Parks. Throughout the years that followed, as I slowly ran out of popular hiking trails in my area, I began to search for and hike in more seldom-visited areas. Today, you can find me out in the woods every weekend, whether it's on an official trail or bushwhacking through cross-country terrain without any paths. I now attend Washington & Lee University and am exploring Virginia and West Virginia. My other hobbies include chess, science, old music, and meteorology. I have 3 years of amateur weather forecasting experience, having studied a lot of meteorology basics over the years. I am also a student at European School of Music where I learned that music and nature have a lot in common. Listening to good music inspires me to capture nature's beauty on the camera in different aspects that also make me recall many beautiful music pieces that I've heard.​


    Dear readers: I have invested a tremendous amount of time and effort in this website and the Georgia Waterfalls Database the past five years. All of the work that has gone in keeping these websites updated with my latest trip reports has almost been like a full-time job. This has not allowed me to pick up a paid job to save up money for college, and therefore, I I've had to take out loans. If you find the information on this website interesting, helpful, or time-saving, you can say "thanks" and help me out by clicking the button above and making a contribution. I will be very grateful for any amount of support you give, as all of it will apply toward my college tuition. Thank you! 

    Enter your email address to subscribe for trail reports:

    Delivered by FeedBurner


    Picture
    Coming in 2022-2023?

    Other Hiking Websites

    DWHike's Adventures
    Florida's Natural Wonders
    Florida Trailblazer
    Meanderthals
    Mountain Images
    by Bernie Boyer

    North Carolina Waterfalls with
    ​Kevin Adams
    Take-a-Hike!
    Tennessee Landforms
    Waterfall Page
    Waterfall Adventurer
    Zach's Mild Adventures

    Miles Hiked

    Year 1: 540.0 Miles
    Year 2: 552.3 Miles
    ​Year 3: 518.4 Miles
    Year 4: 482.4 Miles
    Year 5: 259.9 Miles

    Archives

    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014

    Categories

    All
    Adel
    Adirondack Park
    Alabama
    Alfred A. Ring Park
    Allegheny Trail
    Amicalola Falls State Park
    Anniston Area
    Apalachicola Bluffs And Ravines Preserve
    Apalachicola National Forest
    Apalachicola/Port St. Joe Area
    Apopka
    Appalachian Trail
    Appling
    Art Loeb Trail
    Aska Trail System
    Bakersville
    Balm-Boyette Scrub Preserve
    Balsam Lake Recreation Area
    Bankhead National Forest
    Bartow County Parks
    Bartram Trail
    Basinger
    Beersheba Springs
    Benton
    Benton Mackaye Trail
    Berry College Trail System
    Best Hike
    Big South Fork National Recreation Area
    Black Bear Wilderness
    Black Rock Mountain State Park
    Blairsville
    Blakely
    Blood Mountain Wilderness
    Blowing Rock
    Blue Ridge
    Blue Ridge Parkway
    Boone
    Bradenton
    Bradenton Beach
    Brasstown Bald
    Brasstown Wilderness
    Brevard
    Bryson City
    Buchanan
    Bucks Pocket State Park
    Bulow Creek State Park
    Bulow Plantation Ruins State Park
    Caesars Head State Park
    Caladesi Island State Park
    Calhoun
    Camel's Hump State Park
    Cashiers
    Caspersen Beach Park
    Catfish Creek State Park
    Caves
    CC Putnam State Forest
    Cedar Point Environmental Park
    Chatsworth
    Chattahoochee National Forest
    Chattanooga
    Chattanooga Valley
    Chattooga National Wild And Scenic River
    Cheaha Wilderness
    Cherohala Skyway
    Cherokee
    Cherokee National Forest
    Chiefland Area
    Chillhowee Recreation Area
    Chipley
    Chunky Gal Trail
    Circle B Bar Reserve
    Citico Creek Wilderness
    Citrus Wildlife Management Area
    Clarkesville
    Clayton
    Cleevland
    Cleveland
    Cloudland Canyon State Park
    Cohutta Wilderness
    Collier-Seminole State Park
    Cordele
    Cornelia
    Covington
    Crestview Area
    Crew-land-and-water-trust
    Cullowhee
    Cumberland Trail
    Dahlonega
    Dalton
    Dawson Forest Wildlife Management Area
    Dawsonville
    Dayton
    De Soto National Memorial
    DeSoto State Park
    Dillard
    Double Springs
    Ducktown
    Duncan Ridge Trail
    Dunlap
    Eagle's Rest Park
    Eastpoint
    Econfina Creek Wildife Management Area
    Eglin Air Force Base
    Elizabethton
    Elkins
    Elk Knob Game Lands
    Elk Park
    Ellicott Rock Wilderness
    Ellijay
    Emerson Point Preserve
    Englewood Area
    Enota Retreat
    Erwin
    Falling Waters State Park
    Fayetteville
    Fires Creek Recreation Area
    Fire Tower
    Flint River
    Florence Area
    Florida
    Florida Caverns State Park
    Florida Trail
    Foothills Trail
    Fort Mountain State Park
    Fort Myers Area
    Fort Payne
    Fort Payne Area
    Fort Yargo State Park
    Franklin
    Franklin Delano Roosevelt State Park
    Franklin-Marion State Forest
    Frozen Head State Park
    Gainesville
    Gainesville Area
    Gatlinburg
    George Washington National Forest
    Georgia
    Georgia Veterans Memorial State Park
    Glasgow
    Gorges State Park
    Grandfather Mountain State Park
    Great Smoky Mountains National Park
    Greeneville
    Green River Game Lands
    Gruetli-Laager
    Grundy Forest State Natural Area
    GTM Reserve
    Guana River Wildlife Management Area
    Hayesville
    Helen
    Hiawassee
    High Falls State Park
    Highlands
    Highlands Scenic Highway
    Hillsborough River State Park
    Hinson Conservation & Recreation Area
    Historic Sites
    Honeymoon Island State Park
    Hot Springs
    Huntington
    Inverness Area
    Jackson
    Jasper
    Jefferson National Forest
    Joan M. Durante Park
    Jonathan Dickinson State Park
    Jones Gap State Park
    Joyce Kilmer Slickrock Wilderness
    Joyce Kilmer - Slickrock Wilderness
    Juniper Prairie Wilderness
    Kelly Park
    Keown Falls Recreation Area
    Kolomoki Mounds State Park
    LaFayette
    Lake City Area
    Lake George Wild Forest
    Lake June-in-Winter State Park
    Lakeland Area
    Lake Placid
    Lake Russell Wildlife Management Area
    Lake Wales Ridge State Forest
    Laurel Fork North Wilderness
    Leffis Key Preserve
    Leon Sinks Geological Area
    Lexington
    Lineville
    Linville
    Linville Gorge Wilderness
    Lithia Springs
    Little Frog Wilderness
    Little Manatee River State Park
    Little River Canyon National Preserve
    Longboat Key
    Long Trail
    Lookout Mountain
    Lookout Mountain Battlefield
    Lovingston
    Lula Lake Land Trust
    Lumpkin
    Maggie Valley
    Manatee Springs State Park
    Marianna Area
    Mark Trail Wilderness
    Marlinton
    Mccaysville
    McMinville
    Mentone
    Middlesex
    Mistletoe State Park
    Monongahela National Forest
    Montreat
    Mountain Bridge Wilderness Area
    Mountain City
    Mountains To Sea Trail
    Mountains-to-Sea Trail
    Mount Rogers National Recreation Area
    Myakka River State Park
    Myron B. Hodge City Park
    Nantahala National Forest
    Naples
    Naples Area
    Natural Bridge State Park
    Neal Preserve
    New Castle
    Newport
    New River Gorge National Park
    New York
    North Carolina
    Ocala Area
    Ocala National Forest
    Ocean-to-Lake Trail
    Oconee State Park
    Oconee Station Historic Site
    Okaloacoochee Slough State Forest
    Oldsmar
    Oneida
    Orlando Area
    Ormond Beach
    Oscar Scherer State Park
    Oxford
    Palatka
    Palmetto Trail
    Panama City Area
    Panthertown Valley
    Parrish
    Paynes Creek Historic State Park
    Peaks Of Otter Recreation Area
    Pigeon Crockford Mountain Wildlife Management Area
    Pigeon-Crockford Mountain Wildlife Management Area
    Pigeon-Crockford Wildlife Management Area
    Pine Mountain
    Pinhoti Trail
    Pinnacle Park
    Pisgah Civitan Park
    Pisgah National Forest
    Pittman Center
    Pond Mountain Wilderness
    Ponds/Lakes
    Prentice Cooper State Forest
    Providence Canyon State Park
    Pumpkintown
    Quick Point Nature Preserve
    Raven Cliffs Wilderness
    Reed Bingham State Park
    Reliance
    Rice Creek Conservation Area
    Riverview Pointe Preserve
    Robbinsville
    Robinson Preserve
    Rock Creek Gorge Scenic Area
    Rock Island State Park
    Rome
    Rosman
    Sale Creek
    Salem
    Salt Springs
    Saluda
    Santa Rosa Beach
    Sarasota
    Sarasota Area
    Savage Gulf State Natural Area
    Scenic Views
    Scottsboro Area
    Sebring Area
    Sewanee
    Sheltowee Trace Trail
    Shining Rock Wilderness
    Signal Mountain
    Sipsey Wilderness
    Sky Valley
    Smithgall Woods State Park
    Snowbird Backcountry Area
    Soddy Daisy
    Soddy-Daisy
    Sopchoppy
    South Carolina
    South Cumberland State Park
    Southeastern Cave Conservancy
    Southern Nantahala Wilderness
    Sparta
    Sprewell Bluff Park
    Spring City
    Spring Hill
    Springs
    Spruce Pine
    Standing Indian Backcountry Area
    St. Augustine
    St. George Island State Park
    St. Joseph Bay State Buffer Preserve
    St. Marks Area
    St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge
    Stone Mountain
    Stone Mountain Park
    Suches
    Sumatra
    Sumter National Forest
    Suwannee River
    Swallow Creek Wildlife Management Area
    Sweetwater Creek State Park
    Sylva
    Talladega National Forest
    Tallahassee Area
    Tallulah Falls
    Tallulah Gorge State Park
    Tampa Bay Area
    Tate City
    Tate's Hell State Forest
    Tea Creek Wildlife Management Area
    Tellico Plains
    Tennessee
    Thomaston
    Toccoa
    Topsail Hill State Park
    Torreya State Park
    Townsend
    Tracy City
    Tray Mountain Wilderness
    Trenton
    Triple Creek Preserve
    Troutdale
    Unaka Mountain Wilderness
    Upper Tampa Bay County Park
    Venice
    Vermont
    Virgin Falls State Natural Area
    Virginia
    Virginia Outdoors Foundation
    Vogel State Park
    Wakulla Springs State Park
    Waleska
    Walhalla
    Wartburg
    Water Features
    Waynesville
    Weedon Island Preserve
    Weeki Wachee Preserve
    Wekiwa Springs State Park
    West Palm Beach Area
    West Virginia
    Whitehall
    White Springs
    Winder
    Withlacoochee State Forest
    Young Harris

    RSS Feed

TRAIL REPORTS

Hikes in Alabama
​Hikes in Florida
Hikes in Georgia
Hikes in North Carolina
Hikes in South Carolina
Hikes in Tennessee
Hikes in Virginia

Hiking Resources

Alabama Resources
​
Florida Resources
Georgia Resources
North Carolina Resources
​South Carolina Resources
​
Tennessee Resources

Other

Contact
Map of Hikes
Alphabetical List of Hikes
Southeast Nature Society
© COPYRIGHT 2014-2024
​ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
Important: I disclaim any responsibility for any damage or personal injury that may occur as a result of the activities and information found on this website. All outdoor activities, especially off-trail hiking, are done at your own risk. Never hike or head into that area that may be above your fitness or experience level.
  • Home
  • Trail Reports
    • Best Hikes
    • Hikes with Scenic Views
    • Hikes with Water Features
    • Alabama
    • Georgia
    • Florida
    • North Carolina
    • South Carolina
    • Tennessee
    • Vermont
    • Virginia
  • Map
  • Hike List
  • Testimonials
  • Resources
  • Contact Us
  • Southeast Nature Society
    • Our Team
  • Georgia Waterfalls Database