Hiking at the Falls

Days 1 and 2:

We arrived at the Lodge mid-day. The winding drive to the top of the mountain offered just a hint of what we would see on our hikes and from our room. The views from our room were across a valley to the mountains on the right and in the distance. Sunsets were glorious. Our waiter at dinner told us sometimes the morning haze comes right up to the lodge and you can’t see anything! The restaurant has a wall of windows overlooking the valley and mountains.

Our first “hike” was the Lodge Loop that winds barely a half mile near the Lodge. But it gave me a taste of the kinds of trees and other flora we would likely see. The height of the trees was amazing, especially from the perspective of a “flatlander” from Central Florida.


The next morning, after breakfast, Jim and I decided to see the falls. Amicalola is a Cherokee word meaning tumbling waters, and that is just what the falls do – tumble 729 feet down the side of the mountain. The falls are the tallest east of the Mississippi!

The falls begin slightly north of the Lodge as a small stream. Then they begin their tumble down the rocks and that’s where the West Ridge Staircase begins, a series of winding staircases that follow the falls down. We made it to the first observation deck after 425 stairs. The deck spans the falls which spray those who stand too close to the side. The trail continues another 179 stairs but I realized I had met my limit considering we had to climb back up those stairs! The return trip took three times as long due to my arthritic hip. I wouldn’t have made it without my walking stick and the landings I barely noticed on the way down.  We felt quite an accomplishment when we reached the top!

Day 3:

There are five other trails in the park. One of them is an approach trail to the Appalachian Trail. But that was not our choice.
 

The next morning we chose a short trail that led to a longer one, both labeled moderate. We drove to a parking area where the trail started.  The Spring Trail was straight down a very narrow, rocky, root-filled path that at times narrowed to a foot wide. It twisted back and forth because of the steep descent. For some reason I had left my walking stick at the Lodge. Jim was able to locate two long, fallen sticks that served the purpose for both of us. The trail did offer some unusual sights, especially large trees felled during the 2004 hurricane (left).

Finally we reached the Mountain Laurel Loop and took it to the bottom of the falls. That trail was wider but still pretty rocky and steep. From the base of the falls we started up the Appalachian Trail Approach. Thank goodness it was paved! But it was so steep that by the second obverlook, we decided to stop. However, this part of the trail afforded some of the prettiest scenery with the creek/falls right alongside.

After all this hiking, we realized we could not manage the return climb up the trails to our starting point. Instead, we hiked to the Visitor Center and then walked the paved road. Parts of the road had a 25% grade, but we took it very slowly, resting often. It was perhaps 2.5 miles to our car, where we had started.

Day 4:
Our last day in the park actually was a return to Dahlonega to visit the other gold mine, the Crisson. We panned for both gold and gems. The mine included a wagon tour around the mining camp hwere many authentic, antique farming equipment were sitting on the side of the road. There were also pens of goats, pigs, chickens and rabbits. Around the camp was a self-guided tour of antique mining equipment. Since Jim watches television shows about gold mining, he was able to elaborate about the use of the equipment.

After lunch in Dahlonega and another walk around town, we headed back to the Lodge for our final dinner, which just happened to be a celebration of our 39th anniversary. It had been a day well celebrated.



We left for home the next morning…. But I am determined to return to the Georgia mountains soon.

Dahlonega

We planned a shorter drive to start, stopping overnight in Georgia just outside Valdosta. It was a highway motel of no particular import – a clean bed and near a restaurant within walking distance. We saved the drive around Atlanta for the next morning. The online map we had directed us through the city. Fortunately, the Atlas map showed a bypass. Many roads crossed each other and were somewhat confusing but my husband’s unerring sense of direction kept us on the right path.

Why Dahlonega? I was intrigued by its history as site of the first major U.S. gold rush in 1828, some 20 years before California. It is also known as the gateway to the Appalachian Mountains, and more recently, a growing wine country and a center for the performing and visual arts in the North Georgia mountains. The gold connection was strongest as Jim has had some interest in gold panning and related arts. The town features two gold mines.

We reached Dahlonega in late morning, finding traffic heavy due to the weekly farmer’s market. One way roads and a circle in mid-town were a challenge but we found our hotel, the Park Place Hotel (left), located on the historic Dahlonega Square. The hotel’s Web site touts “a luxury upscale inn, with large suites; flat screen televisions, wet bars, refrigerators, whirlpool tubs, WiFi, pillowtop mattresses and the Historic Square at your door.”

I’m a history buff, so the choice of the hotel was obvious. Due to the heavy market visitors, parking was limited, but we found an overflow lot that required quite a trek with suitcases and bags to the office – which was closed for lunch. A sign on the door provided a cell phone, so I called and someone arrived within 10 minutes. The wait was worth it, I guess, as we were given a complimentary bottle of wine.

But with just two floors, there was no elevator… so it was another trek upstairs with the baggage. Then we settled in.

After lunch at a small café a block away, we toured the town (left). Antique buildings hold modern boutiques, art centers, restaurants and shops. The central building of the square was the county courthouse. It is now the gold museum. A tour included a brief film of the history of the gold rush in Georgia.

The Dahlonega gold mine is close by and we took the guided tour through the tunnels, learning how gold was mined nearly two centuries ago. The tour ended with a chance to pan for gold. Jim and I each had a pan and we left with six and eight tiny flakes of gold, respectively. I learned that panning requires strong hands and wrists, and strong backs. I can’t imagine doing it all day, for days and weeks.

Back in the square we continued our walking tour, looking for souvenirs and finding a very nice jewelry shop … with lovely pieces made of Dahlonega gold.

For dinner we walked a few blocks to a Mexican restaurant.

Breakfast was a treat at the Front Porch (left) and then it was back on the road to the Lodge in Amicalola Falls State Park.

(To be continued)