R. Todd Rothrauff

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  1. Play . . .
  2. December 24 - 25, 2019: Christmas in Blue Ridge, Georgia . . .

Checking out Fall Branch Falls, Cherry Log, GA . . .

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  • We decided to take advantage of the warm temperatures and remaining daylight and head to nearby Fall Branch Falls.

    We decided to take advantage of the warm temperatures and remaining daylight and head to nearby Fall Branch Falls.

  • Fall Branch Falls is a waterfall located in the Chattahoochee National Forest about 5 miles east of US Route 76 in Cherry Log, Georgia.  Seeing this as a great way to walk off some of our Christmas Feast, we hopped in the car and headed into the forest.

    Fall Branch Falls is a waterfall located in the Chattahoochee National Forest about 5 miles east of US Route 76 in Cherry Log, Georgia. Seeing this as a great way to walk off some of our Christmas Feast, we hopped in the car and headed into the forest.

  • Access to the falls is via Rock Creek Road, a typical winding road through the forest.  The pavement ended about half-way through our journey.  But we soon arrived at the Fall Branch Falls trailhead.

    Access to the falls is via Rock Creek Road, a typical winding road through the forest. The pavement ended about half-way through our journey. But we soon arrived at the Fall Branch Falls trailhead.

  • The trail to the falls follows the path of the Benton MacKaye Trail (BMT), a 300-mile long trail that goes from Springer Mountain in Georgia to Big Creek Campground at the northeastern edge of Great Smoky Mountains National Park in North Carolina.  The BMT passes through here and is used to access the falls from the parking area.

    The trail to the falls follows the path of the Benton MacKaye Trail (BMT), a 300-mile long trail that goes from Springer Mountain in Georgia to Big Creek Campground at the northeastern edge of Great Smoky Mountains National Park in North Carolina. The BMT passes through here and is used to access the falls from the parking area.

  • We hit the BMT and headed into the forest up Rocky Mountain for our quarter-mile journey.

    We hit the BMT and headed into the forest up Rocky Mountain for our quarter-mile journey.

  • Fall Branch Falls is a waterfall located along the Fall Branch of Stanley Creek.  The BMT follows the branch for around 1/4 mile before heading back into the wilderness of Rocky Mountain.

    Fall Branch Falls is a waterfall located along the Fall Branch of Stanley Creek. The BMT follows the branch for around 1/4 mile before heading back into the wilderness of Rocky Mountain.

  • We spotted a cabin on the opposite side of the creek.

    We spotted a cabin on the opposite side of the creek.

  • This cabin seemed to be in decent shape, and definitely not abandoned.

    This cabin seemed to be in decent shape, and definitely not abandoned.

  • Several websites I examined while posting these pictures referred to this part of the Chattahoochee National Forest as being, "Mossy" in nature.  I can confirm !  The shady and damp nature of the forest meant scenes like that in the photo above were quite common.

    Several websites I examined while posting these pictures referred to this part of the Chattahoochee National Forest as being, "Mossy" in nature. I can confirm ! The shady and damp nature of the forest meant scenes like that in the photo above were quite common.

  • Time for a group selfie.

    Time for a group selfie.

  • I also saw several references to the "rhododendron-lined" hike to the falls.  Once again, I can confirm !

    I also saw several references to the "rhododendron-lined" hike to the falls. Once again, I can confirm !

  • Several large trees look to have fallen over the trail recently.

    Several large trees look to have fallen over the trail recently.

  • Still following the path of the Fall Branch of Stanley Creek.

    Still following the path of the Fall Branch of Stanley Creek.

  • We spotted another cabin across the creek from the trail.  Like the cabin seen earlier, this one also seemed to be in decent shape.

    We spotted another cabin across the creek from the trail. Like the cabin seen earlier, this one also seemed to be in decent shape.

  • Moss on the trees and rhododendrons lined the creek.

    Moss on the trees and rhododendrons lined the creek.

  • The white diamond seen in the photo above is the official blaze of the BMT, and was seen several times during our hike.

    The white diamond seen in the photo above is the official blaze of the BMT, and was seen several times during our hike.

  • There were a lot of fallen trees along the trail.

    There were a lot of fallen trees along the trail.

  • A large tree that had fallen across the trail.

    A large tree that had fallen across the trail.

  • A large tree that had fallen across the trail.

    A large tree that had fallen across the trail.

  • We had to hop over many fallen trees during our hike.

    We had to hop over many fallen trees during our hike.

  • Looking into the forest of Rocky Mountain opposite of the creek.

    Looking into the forest of Rocky Mountain opposite of the creek.

  • Still following the Fall Branch of Stanley Creek.

    Still following the Fall Branch of Stanley Creek.

  • Another large fallen tree.  The chainsaw cuts indicate that basic maintenance seems to be performed at least periodically.

    Another large fallen tree. The chainsaw cuts indicate that basic maintenance seems to be performed at least periodically.

  • More fallen moss covered trees.

    More fallen moss covered trees.

  • A very large fallen tree.

    A very large fallen tree.

  • Moss covered trees.

    Moss covered trees.

  • The sign seen in the photo above marks the location of the short side trail down to the falls.

    The sign seen in the photo above marks the location of the short side trail down to the falls.

  • Before long, we had arrived at Fall Branch Falls.

    Before long, we had arrived at Fall Branch Falls.

  • The observation platform offers a great view of the falls.

    The observation platform offers a great view of the falls.

  • The base of the falls.

    The base of the falls.

  • Fall Branch Falls consists of two cascades with a total height of around 75 feet.

    Fall Branch Falls consists of two cascades with a total height of around 75 feet.

  • The upper cascade of Fall Branch Falls.

    The upper cascade of Fall Branch Falls.

  • Zooming in on the upper cascade of Fall Branch Falls.

    Zooming in on the upper cascade of Fall Branch Falls.

  • Zooming in on the upper cascade of Fall Branch Falls.

    Zooming in on the upper cascade of Fall Branch Falls.

  • The lower cascade is listed at around 30 feet.

    The lower cascade is listed at around 30 feet.

  • The lower cascade of Fall Branch Falls.

    The lower cascade of Fall Branch Falls.

  • The lower cascade of Fall Branch Falls.

    The lower cascade of Fall Branch Falls.

  • Farrah decided that she wanted to "touch the falls" and headed out onto the rocks.

    Farrah decided that she wanted to "touch the falls" and headed out onto the rocks.

  • Fall Branch Falls.

    Fall Branch Falls.

  • Touching the falls.

    Touching the falls.

  • Touching the falls.

    Touching the falls.

  • Touching the falls.

    Touching the falls.

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