Friday, September 5, 2003
I hiked this trail two weekends ago and again today (9/5/03). In both cases, I hiked it from the lower parking area. I would rate it as moderate. Even though parts of it are quite easy, there are enough steep, rocky and uneven areas (especially on the Spring Trail just before the ADA parking area) that overall it could not be rated as easy. This is a fun trail to hike, but if you're short (like me), I highly recommend a walking stick of some kind. There are several steps that are deep enough to make it difficult for shorter people to maneuver without something to help balance them. The first time I went I didn't have my trekking poles with me...today I did, and it made a huge difference. One thing to look out for - not long after joining the green blazed Mt. Laurel Loop trail, the trail forks at a very large fallen tree. Green blazes mark both forks. GO TO THE RIGHT! The fork to the left just dead ends into nothing. The only other note I would make is that I am fairly certain this hike is longer than 1.6 miles, round trip. According to the trail map I got from the visitor's center, the creek trail is .6 miles. From there you turn left onto the Mt. Laurel trail, which is a 1 mile loop, but for the purposes of this hike it looks like you're only on it for about .75 miles. Then you turn left onto the Spring Trail, which is .4 miles. This takes you to the West Ridge Falls Access trail, which is .3 miles. Already you're at just over 2 miles, and you haven't gone back to the car yet. After crossing the observation bridge, it's .3 miles back down on the Base of Falls trails, then back to the .6 mile Creek trail and on to the parking lot again. So, I figure the whole trip is roughly 2.9 miles, at least the way I hike it.
Saturday, January 25, 2003
There are some nice senic spots to stop. I give it a 5 out of 5!
Trail Length:1.6 miles
Location: Dawson County
Features:waterfall, visitors center, lodge.
Last hiked:08/02/2002 | Type of trail:Loop
Our rating:Moderate
Your rating:Moderate (2)
Date added:01/11/2003
Trail Usage:Light
About these ratings |
Hikers looking for a great vacation rental centrally located? Georgia Trails recommends Whispering Winds Lodge and Vacation Rentals
Front page
Maps and directions
Rate a trail
Add a trail report
View Trail Reports
Create a link to this page
All material copyrighted unless otherwise noted
Copyright 1996-2007 Golden Ink
|
|
