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Raven Cliff Falls (Georgia)
Encyclopedia
White County, Georgia
White County is a county located in the northeast corner of the U.S. state of Georgia. It was created on December 22, 1857, from part of Habersham County. The county was named for Newton County Representative David T. White, who helped a Habersham representative successfully attain passage of an...
on a creek that joins Dodd Creek. The waterfall
Waterfall
A waterfall is a place where flowing water rapidly drops in elevation as it flows over a steep region or a cliff.-Formation:Waterfalls are commonly formed when a river is young. At these times the channel is often narrow and deep. When the river courses over resistant bedrock, erosion happens...
consists of three drops, a 60 feet (18.3 m) drop, followed by a 20 feet (6.1 m) drop into a deep pool, followed by a cascade of 20 feet (6.1 m) to Dodd Creek. The waterfall is an unusual double cascade flowing down through a fissure in a massive granite outcrop. There are also three other major waterfalls located on Dodd Creek, with the largest having a 70 feet (21.3 m) drop.
Location
Raven Cliffs Wilderness
The Raven Cliffs Wilderness was designated in 1986 and currently consists of . The Wilderness is located within the borders of the Chattahoochee National Forest in White, Lumpkin, and Union Counties, Georgia...
of the Chattahoochee National Forest. The creek is known as one of the most beautiful in northern Georgia. Raven Cliff Falls is one of four popular waterfalls in the Forest near Helen, Georgia
Helen, Georgia
Helen is a city located on the Chattahoochee River in White County in the north of the U.S. state of Georgia. As of the 2000 census, the city's population was 420.-History:...
. Two of the other waterfalls, Anna Ruby Falls
Anna Ruby Falls
Anna Ruby Falls is located near Unicoi State Park in White County near Helen, Georgia. The waterfall is accessible via a half mile trail from a public use area with a small admittance charge...
and Dukes Creek Falls, are also in White County, while the third waterfall, DeSoto Falls
DeSoto Falls (Georgia)
The DeSoto Falls of Georgia are located in Lumpkin County, Georgia along Frogtown Creek. There are actually three waterfalls on Frogtown Creek, called Upper DeSoto Falls, Middle Desoto Falls and Lower DeSoto Falls. The upper waterfall drops , the middle waterfall drops and the lower waterfall...
, is in neighboring Lumpkin County
Lumpkin County, Georgia
Lumpkin County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. As of the 2010 census, the population was 29,966. Its county seat is Dahlonega.- History :...
.
Trail
Raven Cliff Falls are reached by the Raven Cliffs Trail that follows Dodd Creek to the falls. The trail, which is about 2.5 miles (4 km) in length, is relatively easy to hike until near the end. From 2040 feet (621.8 m) at the trailhead near Bear Den Creek the path slopes gently upward to 2600 feet (792.5 m) at the base of the falls. Blue blazes mark the trail, which is easy to follow.The trailhead lies just off the Richard Russell Scenic Highway. From the parking area the trail runs northwest into a scenic valley teeming with mountain laurel, rhododendron, mixed hardwoods and moss-covered seepages. Along the way the trail passes smaller waterfalls, clear pools and cascading whitewater. The trail ends at an impressive 80 feet (24.4 m) cliff formation split down the middle with Raven Cliff Falls in between. A steep path leading to the top of the cliff offers wonderful views of the valley and the creek below.
While the trail is usually serene, it may be heavily visited during weekends. It is ideal for dayhikes and family outings. The area is also popular for primitive-style tent camping. Rappelling from the cliff face, once a popular activity, is no longer permitted.