Overall rating: 4
Scenic rating: 4
Difficulty rating: 3
This a great trail to bring new hikers!

Overall rating: 5
Scenic rating: 5
Difficulty rating: 5
i have hiked this trail several times. lots of good camping from trailhead to waterfalls. alot of the trail is "sidewalk" flat. look out for cottonmouths!

Overall rating: 4
Scenic rating: 5
Difficulty rating: 3

Overall rating: 5
Scenic rating: 5
Difficulty rating: 5

Overall rating: 5
Scenic rating: 5
Difficulty rating: 3
Have taken scouts and my youth group camping here. Great trail. Our scout troop cleaned up the trail last fall, so it is much easier to navigate now.

Overall rating: 4
Scenic rating: 5
Difficulty rating: 3

Overall rating: 5
Scenic rating: 5
Difficulty rating: 5
Stop by after tallulah trail

Overall rating: 4
Scenic rating: 5
Difficulty rating: 2
good begginer hike

Overall rating: 5
Scenic rating: 5
Difficulty rating: 5

Overall rating: 5
Scenic rating: 5
Difficulty rating: 5

Overall rating: 5
Scenic rating: 5
Difficulty rating: 2

Overall rating: 5
Scenic rating: 5
Difficulty rating: 5

Overall rating: 5
Scenic rating: 5
Difficulty rating: 5

Overall rating: 5
Scenic rating: 5
Difficulty rating: 5

Overall rating: 1
Scenic rating: 5
Difficulty rating: 5
Panther Creek Trail is currently closed due to trail washout - extremely beautiful falls at the end of the trail, but the trail is very dangerous at different points.

Overall rating: 5
Scenic rating: 5
Difficulty rating: 2

Overall rating: 4
Scenic rating: 4
Difficulty rating: 3
awesome day trip

Overall rating: 3
Scenic rating: 3
Difficulty rating: 2
There are beautiful parts, but for the most part it is just ferns, spider webs, and fallen trees. It's a bear to cross. This may be due to the fact that the trail is closed. Of course I had to hike it anyways!

Overall rating: 5
Scenic rating: 5
Difficulty rating: 5

Overall rating: 5
Scenic rating: 5
Difficulty rating: 3
Probably one of my favorite trails. Unfortunately, it is closed right now. I made the mistake of hiking it anyways on 11/4 with my son and had the pleasure of receiving a $125 fine, even though it was the busiest I had ever seen it. When I asked why it was closed, the ranger's response was that a "very big" man had slipped on a recently exposed rock and broke his ankle. The man had to be airlifted out. So now the forest service is going to jack-hammer that portion of the trail and lay a gravel path in its place. I assumed that the rock climb at approx. 1 mile would also be removed, but the ranger replied, "no, that's part of the trail". The trail is not expected to reopen until mid Dec '06.

Overall rating: 4
Scenic rating: 5
Difficulty rating: 3
This is a nice starting trail from a long break of hiking.

Overall rating: 5
Scenic rating: 5
Difficulty rating: 3
I LOVED IT THROUGHLY!! WHEN CAN I GO BACK? This trail is wonderful!! Take water and enjoy the winding trail through the deep woods and into another world!!

Overall rating: 4
Scenic rating: 5
Difficulty rating: 3
TOOK MY THREE BOYS WELL BEHAVED 8 ,10 AND 11 YEARS OLD ON THE TRAIL . THIS IS A VERY BEAUTIFUL TRAIL BUT... IT IS NOT FOR THE UNSURE OF FOOT THERE ARE SEVERAL SPOTS WHERE THE TRAIL IS VERY NARROW (1 BOOT WIDE} WITH A ROCK FACE ON ONE SIDE OF YOU AND SHEER DROP OFFS ON THE OTHER. NOT A TRAIL FOR CHILDREN NOT A TRAIL FOR WET WEATHER, EXPERIENCED HIKERS HAVE FUN I RATE IT DIFFICULT OVERAL DUE TO THE DANGERS

Overall rating: 5
Scenic rating: 5
Difficulty rating: 5

Overall rating: 4
Scenic rating: 4
Difficulty rating: 4
We went there with Diedre Pickering in February. It was a fun trail with a beautiful waterfall, but was dangerous in certain places.

Overall rating: 5
Scenic rating: 5
Difficulty rating: 4
Hiked this trail two weekends ago. (Feb. 2007)The fall was still iced over from previous precipitation. The view was breathtaking. I highly recommend taking this trip. We hiked south on Hickory Creek Trail>Crossed the Conasauga River and hiked a little of the Conasauga Trail>Crossed the Conasauga again and proceeded up Panther Creek Falls Trail>Camped for the night at the top of the falls>Continued the climb up Panther Creek Trail> Proceeded back down East Cowpen to our starting point. When the trail sign for Hickory Ridge Trail appears there is a trail off to the left that takes you back to the starting point. About 16 miles round trip. No water from above the falls throughout East Cowpen. If I were doing it again I would walk a little ways up the Conasauga river BEFORE I crossed. I think there is a way to get to the Panther Creek Trail head without crossing the Conasauga at all, instead of twice. Not a big deal in summer but a little precarious when it's frozen over. Great hike, maybe the most spectacular view in the Hemptop Quadrangle (at least when it's covered in ice))

Overall rating: 5
Scenic rating: 5
Difficulty rating: 3
I've been hiking Panther Creek since I was a small child in the 1980's. While I was mildly disappointed to see the 4-lane overpass built on the site of the old railroad trestle, the ecological and geological diversity of the remaining 7.9 miles of the trail makes that a moot point. The western section of the trail was closed for about a year after hurricane Katrina to repair some washed-out areas, but has recently been reopened. I recommend hiking the entire 8-mile length from historic 441 to Yonah dam. It's well worth it. Recommended for a family outing with the kids and/or dog. A word of advice, however: Always make sure your dog is securely leashed. My 50-lb golden retriever nearly fell down the cliff at "the rock." My two friends and I had to carefully lower her down the rest of the way, as we couldn't pull her back up. Were I by myself, she would certainly been seriously injured or killed. Those leash signs are there for a reason, everyone.

Overall rating: 5
Scenic rating: 5
Difficulty rating: 3
Really enjoyed this trail! My partner and I hiked in to the falls from Hwy 441 and back out again in a little over 3 hours. Plenty of opportunities to take a dip in the creek and cool off or do a little fishing. The trail was well maintained most of the way to the falls. There were a few sections where trees were down over the trail--just a minor inconvenience. Beautiful hike from start to finish!

Overall rating: 4
Scenic rating: 4
Difficulty rating: 3
Great hike with our dog. Parts were lightly tough and steep. 3.5 miles to falls.

Overall rating: 5
Scenic rating: 5
Difficulty rating: 3

Overall rating: 5
Scenic rating: 5
Difficulty rating: 5

Overall rating: 4
Scenic rating: 4
Difficulty rating: 3
A great hike! I have taken multiple groups with varying levels of experience and everyone has enjoyed it. Enough of a challenge to be fun, but not too difficult.

Overall rating: 5
Scenic rating: 5
Difficulty rating: 5

Overall rating: 5
Scenic rating: 5
Difficulty rating: 5

Overall rating: 5
Scenic rating: 5
Difficulty rating: 5

Overall rating: 5
Scenic rating: 5
Difficulty rating: 5

Overall rating: 4
Scenic rating: 5
Difficulty rating: 2

Overall rating: 4
Scenic rating: 4
Difficulty rating: 4
My wife and I just returned this afternoon from hiking and camping the first 6 miles of Panther Creek Trail. I've hiked it many times before but have never found the trails and falls campsite in such disrepair. This trail sees a lot of traffic! Also, due to our drought, water levels were low today which resulted in a rather weak falls spectacle. All in all, the hike itself was perfectly challenging and scenic. Just don’t do it in 97 degree weather like we did!

Overall rating: 5
Scenic rating: 5
Difficulty rating: 4
Hiked with Josh & Michelle November 2005.

Overall rating: 5
Scenic rating: 4
Difficulty rating: 4
From a climbing perspective, the trail is relatively easy. Footing is precarious at several places. Wouldn't take small kids. Lots of downed trees on the day I hiked. Its unfortunate the trail is so far above the creek bed; I'm sure a lot of beautiful scenery is missed. Not as nice as Raven's Cliff but worth the trip.

Overall rating: 5
Scenic rating: 4
Difficulty rating: 3
Beautiful river runs along a lot of the trail. It is a great place for fall hiking or summer swimming.

Overall rating: 5
Scenic rating: 5
Difficulty rating: 5
to do

Overall rating: 4
Scenic rating: 4
Difficulty rating: 4
10/20/2007

Overall rating: 3
Scenic rating: 2
Difficulty rating: 3
The last time I hiked the trail it still needed work. Ropes had fallen on the trail and definately needed to be fix! Hiked in Sept. 2006

Overall rating: 5
Scenic rating: 4
Difficulty rating: 4

Overall rating: 5
Scenic rating: 5
Difficulty rating: 4

Overall rating: 5
Scenic rating: 5
Difficulty rating: 5

Overall rating: 5
Scenic rating: 5
Difficulty rating: 3
Wow it was a great experience! I'd love to do it again!

Overall rating: 3
Scenic rating: 4
Difficulty rating: 3
2007, me and firend hit this trail twice, always a joy. However storm later in the year put many trees on the trial below the falls area.

Overall rating: 4
Scenic rating: 4
Difficulty rating: 5

Overall rating: 5
Scenic rating: 5
Difficulty rating: 3
Just in case anyone is aware if this trail is open yet. It had been closed due to erosion and danger points last year. Please let me know by email at trailblazers@rickwhowe.com Thank you. When open, the trail was moderate in difficulty, with some parts easy.

Overall rating: 5
Scenic rating: 4
Difficulty rating: 5
Absolutely brutal with a full pack.

Overall rating: 4
Scenic rating: 5
Difficulty rating: 3
this falls is very relaxing. the trail is very fun for young people, there are to many roots from to many daytripper

Overall rating: 5
Scenic rating: 5
Difficulty rating: 3

Overall rating: 5
Scenic rating: 5
Difficulty rating: 4

Overall rating: 5
Scenic rating: 5
Difficulty rating: 4
This trail is beautiful; there are several smaller waterfalls on the way to the one BIG waterfall. Watch out for copperhead’s, I would not recommend this trail for family’s with children there are some difficult spots but well worth the hike. Seems like most people stop at the waterfall and turn around, I recommend going further past the waterfall, this area does not get as many hikers it seems.

Overall rating: 5
Scenic rating: 5
Difficulty rating: 5
Been there, enjoyed

Overall rating: 5
Scenic rating: 5
Difficulty rating: 5

Overall rating: 5
Scenic rating: 5
Difficulty rating: 4

Overall rating: 4
Scenic rating: 4
Difficulty rating: 4
First 3.5 miles is a two. Last two miles gets it up to a four with the aggresive ridge at mile 4. Scenery was nice, better after the drought breaks.

Overall rating: 5
Scenic rating: 5
Difficulty rating: 5

Overall rating: 5
Scenic rating: 5
Difficulty rating: 5

Overall rating: 5
Scenic rating: 5
Difficulty rating: 5

Overall rating: 5
Scenic rating: 3
Difficulty rating: 2
The waterfall makes this trip.

Overall rating: 5
Scenic rating: 5
Difficulty rating: 3
We have been twice to this trail (Once in Nov. and once in Dec.) and loved it both times. Water Supply: There is a creek running along the trail almost the whole time. Solitude: On weekends the trail is quite frequented. There is a gorgeous campsite at the falls but you have to be quick because it's in high demand. Costs: There is a fee for parking in the designated area, but the gravel across from the area is free and available for parking (a little secret we learned from the ranger up at tallulah gorge). Trail: Be sure you have some good boots because the last about 400 ft of the trail is rather narrow. Other than that, the trail is wide and flat, for the most part. There is an additional (I believe either 4.4/8 mil) hike continuing from the fall to a dam. We only went about two miles into this. The trail is extrememly strenuous and narrow from this point. With ripped out railing and a steep drop. Camping: Plenty of camping opportunities after about a mile in. When you get to the huge rock boulder about a mil-mile and half in, it looks like the trail splits into one going down(which ends) and one going up(which is the correct one). Pets:Pet friendly.

Overall rating: 5
Scenic rating: 5
Difficulty rating: 5
Enjoy yourself with family and friends take along a picnic lunch. I have not hike this trail myself, but I do just enjoy going and sitting, and listening to the creek run.

Overall rating: 5
Scenic rating: 3
Difficulty rating: 3
A nice walk in the woods. Your walk begins with a gradual descent along a mostly narrow trail to reach Panther Creek. After crossing a wooden footbridge it's an easy walk along the flatwaters of the creek. One crosses several feeder streams along the way. Upon reaching Mill Shoals Falls parts of the path becomes more challenging moving along a slim ledge. The immediate descent and return from the falls is at point steep and slippery and warrents caution. It is, however, well worth the effort. I've found it easier to return to the 441 trail entrance than to continue to the Yonah Dam end. The trail south end is not as well maintained and not nearly as picturesque. All in all, it's a pleasant 3 to 3.5 hour roundtrip hike.

Overall rating: 4
Scenic rating: 5
Difficulty rating: 4
I hiked this trail several years ago to the waterfall. It was 3.5 miles one way and it was really rough on me on the return.

Overall rating: 5
Scenic rating: 5
Difficulty rating: 3
Towards the larger falls the trail is severely damaged. After a few days rain, the final leg of the trail was not safely passable.

Overall rating: 5
Scenic rating: 5
Difficulty rating: 5
2 hours

Overall rating: 3
Scenic rating: 4
Difficulty rating: 3
Good day hike, did the 3.5 miles to the falls, and then followed it back out. trails in great shape.

Overall rating: 5
Scenic rating: 5
Difficulty rating: 5

Overall rating: 3
Scenic rating: 4
Difficulty rating: 3

Overall rating: 4
Scenic rating: 4
Difficulty rating: 3
Hiked to falls once with dogs (7/3/09), hiked from lower end once, hiked in with dogs but not quite to falls. Lower end trailhead not kept up well, lots of unleased dogs.

Overall rating: 5
Scenic rating: 5
Difficulty rating: 5
Someday list

Overall rating: 5
Scenic rating: 5
Difficulty rating: 5

Overall rating: 5
Scenic rating: 4
Difficulty rating: 3
Hiked this trail on 10/6/2009. Trail was in overall good shape, even after a very heavy rain the previous night. I took my 4, 12 and 13 year old children. The 4 year old completed the trail, but it I was very nervous due to the narrow trail along the ridge and the drop-offs on the creek side. It was definitely worth the trip, though. This was one of my favorite trails. I did not hike the 8 miles to Yonah dam, but plan to do so soon.

Overall rating: 4
Scenic rating: 4
Difficulty rating: 2
Beautiful views of stream and falls. Hiked in at 8am and saw no one along the way. Met loads of people on the way out. Boy scouts must have put up 40 tents in campsites within time of my round trip. Also, met 3 REI guided hike groups. Way too many people on the trail.

Overall rating: 5
Scenic rating: 5
Difficulty rating: 5

Overall rating: 5
Scenic rating: 5
Difficulty rating: 3

Overall rating: 5
Scenic rating: 5
Difficulty rating: 5

Overall rating: 5
Scenic rating: 4
Difficulty rating: 4

Overall rating: 5
Scenic rating: 5
Difficulty rating: 3
Lovely place to hike or backpack. Not too hard, but some sections are difficult with a fully loaded pack.

Overall rating: 5
Scenic rating: 5
Difficulty rating: 3

Overall rating: 5
Scenic rating: 5
Difficulty rating: 5

Overall rating: 5
Scenic rating: 5
Difficulty rating: 5

Overall rating: 5
Scenic rating: 5
Difficulty rating: 5

Overall rating: 5
Scenic rating: 5
Difficulty rating: 5

Overall rating: 5
Scenic rating: 5
Difficulty rating: 5
AMAZING! BREATHE TAKING! Take clothes to swim in and a sandwhich!

Overall rating: 5
Scenic rating: 5
Difficulty rating: 5

Overall rating: 5
Scenic rating: 5
Difficulty rating: 5
got to do this one in summer

Overall rating: 5
Scenic rating: 5
Difficulty rating: 1
Best hiking/camping trail so far! Lots of bridges, huge rocks...the walk along the river is phenomenal and refreshing! Camping sites are very private and well established! We had so much fun swiming and diving right at the Fall. It will definitely go back as many times as I can! :)

Overall rating: 5
Scenic rating: 5
Difficulty rating: 5

Overall rating: 5
Scenic rating: 5
Difficulty rating: 4

Overall rating: 5
Scenic rating: 5
Difficulty rating: 4

Overall rating: 5
Scenic rating: 5
Difficulty rating: 5