Raven
Cliff Falls
About
four months ago I decided that I wanted to hike Raven Cliff Falls in the North
Georgia Mountains and for one reason or another it just didn’t happen. Now after what seems like forever I finally
had the chance to hike Raven Cliff.
A week or
so ago I took the scenic route up which took me about 3 hours. Along the way driving up and around the Mountain
I stopped at a few small gift shops and of course I stopped to take my
first glance of the spectacular views. I
don’t believe there is one word that can truly describe the view of the small
valleys and mountain tops as far as the eye could see. It took my breath away and made me appreciate
nature’s wonder a little more. As I
continued to look around I began to get the feeling that I would run out of
time and quickly realized that it would be impossible to see everything that
Raven Cliff Falls had to offer in just one day. I really think I would need about a month to
truly get the full experience of the mountain.
Once I
decided to continue driving to the trail I said goodbye to some fellow
hikers. But before I could actually
leave the hikers took the time to tell me about all the great trails they have
hiked at Raven Cliff Falls. As I resumed
driving I just couldn’t resist the views!
I found myself stopping at multiple rest stops to take in the view and
snap some pictures to capture this incredible setting. That’s the real reason it took 3 hours to get
there, all the stopping! After a little
more ‘slow driving’ I saw the signs that let me know I had arrived at the trail
head… at last, Raven Cliff Falls.
As I
performed a final check of my gear, food, and water I noticed that the parking
lot seemed pretty empty, which gave me the indication that it wouldn’t be very
crowded on the trail. That put an even
bigger smile on my face.
Okay, so
I’m ready to start my hike but I was a little apprehensive because I am alone
and I had never been to this trail before and I knew I was in bear country. But just as it goes, I received a sign right
at the start of the trail. As I headed on
to the trail a little boy about age 7 came running out with flip flops on
smiling and laughing with his dad saying how much fun he had. Right then and there I knew I would be ok.
The trail
I was hiking would lead me to the falls and along the way I saw mushrooms on
the side of trees, moss on the side of rocks, art work made of rock by fellow
hikers in the streams, and the rock formations in the appearance of art maid by
Mother Nature. It was spectacular! While crossing small bridges and streams I
listened to nothing but nature and I found myself falling deep into a
trance. I was awake and alert though,
but every now and then I found myself looking up and around to make sure
nothing was watching me, LOL. As I
continued along the trail about 20 minutes I noticed the sound started to
change in the distance. At this point I felt
a change in the temperature. It was
cooler on the mountain than it was in the city and it was even cooler from the
trail to the point where I was under a canopy of the imposing trees. The sound accompanied with the cool breeze of
the shade was astounding.
I pushed
forward and came across the first water fall.
Stopping a brief moment, I took it all in and hydrated my body. After another mile and I came upon the big
water fall. I had finally made it to the
Raven Cliff water fall. Just as I
approached the fall a runner runs past me and I yelled at him, “STOP”! I wanted him to stop to make sure I should not
be running as well… Don’t get me wrong I
“Love 2 Hike”, but I also love my life, LOL. After the runner stopped I asked, “Where are
you running to or from? Are we at the
end of the trail”? The runner said, “No Sir! You are at the end of the trail but not the
journey. Follow me”. We hiked up about
30 more feet and arrived at the climax. It was exactly what I came for. The sight was beyond
amazing so I stopped and had my lunch.
The view was extraordinary with trees to my rear, rocks to my left and
right, and one of the most spectacular water falls Georgia has to offer
directly in front of me. At that moment
I felt I could venture out and hike forever! Raven Cliff Falls was one of the best hikes I
had been on in months. The brake from
the city and the heat was well worth it.
Well, until next time… www.welove2hike.com
