After our visit to Gibbs Gardens (4-20-22), we spent the night in Dahlonega, GA. We departed the “Gold City” early for the 45-minute drive to the Raven Cliff Falls Trailhead and were the first car to arrive in the small parking lot of one of Georgia’s most popular hiking destinations. By the time we finished our 5.5-mile hike, the lot was full.
The Raven Cliff Trail rises slowly alongside Dodd Creek as we make our way up the deep gorge. Deadfalls in the old-growth forest were plentiful, but the trail was fairly well maintained. This would be an extremely muddy track after a recent rain, but we found it mostly dry.
Dodd Creek was flush with unnamed rushing cascades and small waterfalls that filled the air with the sound of crashing water and coated the creekside trees and rocks with thick emerald-green moss. The beautiful stream supplied constant amusement along every step of the trail.
There were several man-made, log bridges over feeder creeks that crossed the trail. This logjam bridge of precarious deadfalls across Dodd Creek was a bit more of a challenge to negotiate. Karen did not like it.
We saw massive pines, with girths of 12-feet or more, but this lumpy trunk stood out of the stand for uniqueness.
At the base of Raven Cliffs, Dodd Creek cascades through dense vegetation. We could hear Raven Cliff Falls from here, but it’s hidden by giant rock sentries.
Our leisurely trek ends at this steep incline leading to a view of Raven Cliff Falls. No clear trail here, just pick your way up the ragged rocks.
Dodd Creek has split the cliff face and plunges 40-feet between the towering-rock columns. Raven Cliff Falls makes a great backdrop for our lunch break.
A fellow hiker told us there is 90-foot fall above and beyond this imposing cliff face, but the ascent is steeper and much more technical a climb than we were up for on this trip. Maybe next time.