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Trail Updates:

• The Upper Falls at Desoto Falls Scenic Area is now off limits. The Middle Falls have been renamed and are now called the Upper Falls.
• Virgin Falls, TN. The Main Trail to Virgin Falls needs work. Many of the in-ground steps are missing or are rutted. In addition, the Main Trail has not been kept up and is easily lost leaving the Caney Forks Overlooks (see paragraph 1, pg. 127). Instead of losing the route here, return to the trail split (mile 1.6, paragraph 3, pg. 126) and hike the Lower Trail (Creekside Trail) downstream to the other objectives.
• Martin Creek Falls (pg. 84). The Bartram Trail has been rerouted crossing Martin Creek then leading to an observation deck at the base of Martin Creek Falls.
• *Cowrock Creek (pg. 43): The pathway past .5 is extremely overgrown and covered with windfalls. There was no real view of the fall due to a large poplar across the path and viewing area.
• *Little Rock Creek (pg. 35): The pathway was excellent and the windfalls did not pose any problem.
• *Falls on Low Gap Creek (pg. 50): The campground is open and very nice. The pathway begins at the end of the road that runs through the campground.
• *Crow Mountain Creek (pg. 39): Windfalls are no longer a problem on the pathway.
• Little River Canyon, AL: The pathway to Gregg's Two Falls is getting very overgrown. Additionally, the first .1 of a mile is hard to negotiate on account of wind fallen trees.
• Tallulah Gorge State Park, GA now has a 250' long suspension bridge connecting the North Rim and Hurricane Falls Trails. The span lies over one of the most scenic spots on the river. A staircase from the #2 Overlook descends via 400 steps to bridge level (1/10th of a mile). This allows hikers to make a loop from the North Rim Trail's #2 Overlook via the Bridge Trail, Hurricane Falls Trail and South Rim Trails. Permits are no longer required for trips to Hurricane Falls or for the loop described above. Permits are still required for hiking downstream from Hurricane Falls and hiking the Sliding Rock Trails.
• Edmunston Falls (pg. 27) is now off limits.
• The dilapidated red barn referred to enroute to Denton Creek Falls has been demolished.
• The three well-constructed switchbacks encountered on the first leg of the hike to Bull Cove, Bear Creek, and High Falls (first paragraph pg. 68) are now totally overgrown. The trail has been shortcut to the degree that it is now the "Official Route." No attempt has been made to block the shortcuts or maintain the proper route. There is a great deal of waist-deep poison ivy on this hike.
• Please be advised that the Forest Service is now making many of the popular Waterfalls and Scenic Areas, Fee Areas.
• On a recent visit to Coker Creek Falls, TN, I found all sorts of refuse. The beer cans were deposited by the lazy individuals who can haul the weight of a full beer can in, but in the process of consuming the beer and viewing the falls their spine's go limp and they are thus unable to haul the empty can out. Much of the litter comes from upstream sources, such as where TN Hwy. 68 crosses Coker Creek. This is an irresistible spot to fling a smokeless tobacco can or an empty motor oil bottle. (I found plenty of both at the falls.)
• The State of Georgia has raised its daily park's visitation fee, for some parks, from $2.00 to $4.00. You may purchase a yearly pass for $30.00.
• The parking area and trail at Little River Falls, AL. has been upgraded and is now paved. A paved trail leads for approximately 300' to an observation deck.
• At Desoto State Park, AL. a handicapped accessible boardwalk has been built to the Azalea Cascade.
• Hiking to the Falls on Buzzard Mountain Branch (pg. 41) is now much tougher than described in the book. I found the last 400' of the hike to be very tough on account of the now very thick rhododendron. I hiked part of that distance in the slick creek bed. In the book I rated this waterfall at a "3" on the beauty scale. Let me up that to a "7".
• In the hike to the Falls in the Little Ridge Area (pg. 42) there is a very beautiful rock formation approximately .1 of a mile above the upper falls. Little Ridge Creek falls and careens through this jumble of large, mossy boulders and fills a rather good sized, gravel-filled pool in the process.
• Crow Creek Falls access from FS 27A is almost obscured by two, fairly new, jeep-blocking mounds.

New Locations:

Stonewall Falls, GA.

US FEE AREA $2.00 daily fee collected at self-service pay station.

This beautiful waterfall is located in Rabun Co., GA.

Directions: From the intersection of W. Boggs Mtn. Rd. and US 441, near Tiger, GA., drive west on W. Boggs Mtn. Rd. for .3 of a mile. Turn left onto Old US 441 and drive .45 of a mile to FS 20 (sign: Stonewall Falls Mountain.Bike Trail). Turn right and travel 1.7 miles to the parking area and the fall's viewing area.

This waterfall needs a lot of TLC. Uncaring campers have left their refuse piled high in a nearby fire ring and litter is strewn about the parking area. Also, a beautiful hemlock, in close proximity to the pool area, has been severely injured (chopped) by a hatchet bearing vandal. Please visit this fall with a litter bag in hand.

Page updated 01-01-08