11-3-17  Helton Creek Falls:

Since we still had a couple hours of daylight after leaving Brasstown Bald, we decided to hit up one of the nearby waterfalls.  We had been here before, but I don't mind going to them over and over again---especially the ones that are a short walk.  So we drove to Helton Creek Falls.  The ride there ends up on some rather narrow dusty roads. 

 But we only passed one car coming towards us.  They pulled over and let us by.

 After about 2 miles on the 1 lane road, we got to the parking lot.  Then I headed down the path to the falls.

 a distant view of the falls from the trail.

 I think the guide we had said it was a .2 mile trail, but I swear it was at least .5 mile.

 Wonder how much elevation change there is?

 They did have it tiered pretty nicely.

 at the bottom you can view the lower "slide" falls.

 Looks like a nice lower pool to cool off in on a hot summer day.

 the steps down to the base of the lower falls.

 Some of the colorful leaves here.

 even a small purple flower.

 Then the trail continues to the upper falls.  There's a really nice platform overlook.

 from the overlook

 looking back from the platform

 from the ground next to the platform

 how could you not want to come back here?!

 one last picture of the falls from the platform.

 heading back to the parking lot.

 from the top of the lower falls.

 looking down the lower falls.

 the walkway next to the lower falls.

 probably the steepest part of the trail---at least there were hand rails along it.

 more of the trail

 it was a beautiful walk

 lots of fern, too.  Looks like fern I know as leather from my couple years of working as a florist.

 about to start the hike back up from the bottom of the falls to the parking lot.

 lots of roots to be careful of.

 back to the parking lot.

 According to the map, it looked like we could continue on the way we were going and get back to the scenic loop.  So we tried it.  Ended up having to drive over the river!

 When we got to another section where you had to drive over the river and the river looked deeper and rougher, I suggested we turn back and go the way we came.  We made it.  Almost back to the hwy here.

 Back on the hwy I got a kick out of the runaway ramp here.  That is quite the steep ramp!

 We pulled into the park nearby and admired the lake and reflections. 

There are lots of cabins here---I assume for rent.  Looked like a restaurant or store in the area behind me, too.

 cute little covered pedestrian bridge by the parking lot, too.

 I wanted to get back to the scenic loop and see if we could catch a sunset.  Not much of a sunset, but it was still pretty with the low hanging clouds.

 Finally made it to one of the lookouts, but it was on the wrong side of the road to see sunset.  Still a nice view, though.

 Made it to the lookout on the other side of the road, but the sun had already set.  Bet it would be a great place to catch a great sunset.

 Sure is nice to be able to sit around in the morning and decide---let's go up into the mountains today!  Started out with lunch in Helen, then on to Brasstown Bald, and finally to Helton Creek Falls.   Another great day in Georgia.