The Hiwassee Dam is a little bit of a detour from Murphy, NC. But I highly recommend a stop. The…read moredam is hydroelectric and is remarkable to see just the size of it. You can drive over it too. I wasn't sure at the time if I could take a walk on it so I behaved myself this time. There appeared to be sidewalks on both sides in sections so I will do that next time. The dam is 307 feet high and holds 67 billion gallons of water. Hiwassee Lake is about 22 miles. The dam took 1600 men four years to build before being completed in 1940. At the time it cost $24 million to build. The dam generates enough electricity for 28,000 homes. The views are breathtaking here so if you are in the area this remarkable piece of work.

If you're in the Murphy area, or planning a trip out to the falls, and enjoy being outdoors, be…read moresure to take a quick detour and venture into easily accessible Hiwassee. Surrounded by the Nantahala and Cherokee National Forests - This cozy and colorful park has a lot to offer, including a rich habitat for deer, wild turkey and other animals. Have your camera ready to snap memorable moments, scenery and wildlife. Built in the 1940's, the Hiwassee Dam is largely known to locals as 1 of 32 dams built & planned to provide flood control, navigation and electricity for the region. Today, this piece of history is known as one of the top 5 things to do/points of interest for those visiting Murphy. Upstream from Apalachia Reservoir, the river stretches for 22 miles northwest to southeast. The Pros: - Great for picnics. - Free and easy to locate parking. - The area features a day-use park that provides access to boating, fishing and paths for exploring the Hiwassee Reservoir and its tributaries. - The area is isolated and not overloaded with people/tourists (even during season). On most occasions you will find yourself alone and have this stunning area all to yourself. It's well suited for canoeing & rafting. - The dam is close to Cherokee, the falls and many of Murphy's other "must-see" areas. Prior to your trip, consider these tips: - Check out & research the weather conditions prior to making your plans to venture out onto the roads, or into the water. The reservoir comes from deep below the surface and the water temperature is super chilly, even in the summer. - Keep an eye out for snakes! - If it's summer, be sure to pack bug spray and sun screen. Fun Facts: - The dam is known as a historical landmark used by the Navy Bureau of Ordnance for torpedo testing into the deep water, and the isolation provided by its mountainous environs. - The dam is currently operational and still providing electricity today.

This is a beautiful and touching yet tragic landmark. There is parking on the side of the road and…read morea sign detailing more about the Nacoochee Indian Mound. On the day of my visit, pretty cows were all around.

Mounds ... because sometimes you feel like a nut, sometimes you don't. I think it would be rude to…read moregive a Native American / Indian Mound anything less than five stars. Especially since it's lasted so long and makes a beautiful addition to the bovine pasture. I gathered some information from the historical marker, but I wish there were more details. My wife thought it was odd that I screeched the car to a halt to take a picture, but that's the life of an Elite Yelpers wife.

This bridge carries Georgia Route 17 aka North Main Street aka the Unicoi Turnpike over the…read moreChattahoochee River in the center of the City of Helen. It is a simple two-lane bridge with pedestrian areas on both sides. Interestingly, the bridge has started to collect "love locks" and I don't know how often the city removes them or they just stay there. There weren't too many, so maybe the trend hasn't caught on yet here? Or maybe there isn't an enterprising enough vendor in Helen to start selling them with some awesome markup. In addition to driving over the bridge or walking across it to go over the river, there is a walking path UNDER the bridge on the west side. This is great for getting between the restaurants/bars on the one side or the other without blocking the road traffic. [Review 15939 overall - 439 in Georgia - 1444 of 2021.]

Stonewall Creek Falls is located on the trail known as Stonewall Falls & White Twister Mountain…read moreBike Trail. It's an 11.5 mile trail used most often by mountain bikes (as the name would imply) and has multiple wet creek crossings. The parking area & trailhead are off Stonewall Creek Road, also known as Crooked Oak Road on one end and Carleton English Road on the other. Three names in less than 3 miles of road, but you would only know this if you are looking at Google Maps. [ DIRECTIONS ] The trailhead is approx. 1.3 miles from paved South Main Street in Tiger, GA. The road is gravel with no signage, but a small utility building with two power boxes surrounded by a chain link fence sits right on the corner. The road is a touch bumpy and is best for trucks, Jeeps, SUV's and vehicles with more clearance, but a car COULD make it through. [ THE TRAIL ] You'll know you've arrived when you reach a small forest service gate with a niche large enough for about 3 cars. There is also sufficient room for several more cars to park roadside. The Mountain Bike Trail has a 1492 foot elevation change and encompasses some of the roadway past the parking area. However, to get to the waterfall, go through the gate, cross the small creek and continue left downhill for about 1/2 mile. The waterfall will come into view near a large open camping area. [ THE FALLS ] The easiest waterfall to reach is the one at the camping area. It's approximately 20 feet tall. HOWEVER, there is another waterfalls upstream of the main falls, but it is difficult to reach. Scouting reports I have read say to use a steep side trail 100 yards or so further uptrail past the falls. You will see two faint trails and I've been told the first of the two is the better option, but be careful, BOTH are STEEP. I tried the second trail (didn't know the first trail was the better option at the time) and only made it halfway before turning back. It felt against my better judgement to try this alone with my tiny little dog. So I plan to come back on another day when I have another crazy adventurer with me for support (and possibly a 911 call). Just slightly upstream from the main falls is an easier path to Stonewall Creek. My thought is to try to wade through the river to the upper falls, which are far prettier according to some of the pics I've witnesses on hiking trail galleries: https://mtnimages.smugmug.com/Hiking-With-Mtnimages/Hike-to-Stonewall-Creek/i-bdsqddz/A TIP - If you hike upstream looking for the side trail to the upper falls and make it to a creek crossing, you've gone too far! There is also another waterfall downstream of the main falls, but requires some mountain goat skills and bushwacking, which I'm hoping to get into this summer as I want to trailblaze to more remote waterfalls. [ THINGS TO KNOW ] Hiking Distance: 1 miles (round trip to main falls) Difficulty: Easy & family friendly (main waterfall) Difficulty: Strenuous & dangerous (upper and lower falls) Creek Crossings: YES (1) small stream at the beginning Elevation Gain: n/a Waterfall Height: Approx 18-20 feet (main) Access to top of falls: NO Access to base of falls: YES Pool of water @ base of Falls: YES Sitting areas @ base: YES + camping area RESTROOMS: NO PARKING: YES (3+ cars) [ FINAL THOUGHTS ] I enjoy hiking very much! The beauty, serenity and adventure calls to me and the peace that comes from such adventures is simply unmatched. The only thing that disturbs my hiking serenity is when I can't reach my destination. I'm stubborn and bullheaded like that! The first waterfall was nice, but my mission was to see all three, or at the very least the main falls AND the upper falls.... so I left disappointed. Still, it was one of several waterfalls I toured today as I scouted new trails for my hiking groups 2020 expeditions. This is a great short hike to add to other longer hikes when looking to fill up a day. NOTE TO SELF: Be better prepared next time with trail map downloads and GPS trackers that work even offline to better navigate to falls that are off-trail. Also, bring a machete just in case some light bushwacking is required. 2020 / 9

I love this places, beautiful, relaxing. I love to end here after mountain biking trails. Is not…read morecrowded place

This is a beautiful trail that leads to two stunning waterfalls. The trail can be challenging in…read moresome areas due to rocky terrain and roots on the path. However, overall it's a pleasant trail with several creek crossings and rhododendron tunnels. The first falls, Panther Falls, is a sight to behold and you can even walk in the pool at the base of the falls. As you proceed from Panther Falls, the trail becomes harder as you go up the side of the falls, and there are handrails due to steep drop-offs. The trail is an in and out and takes you through lush rhododendron forests, alongside a scenic Creek. The effort is well worth it, though, as the falls themselves are magnificent, with cascading waters that make for an incredible photo opportunity. Angel Falls at the end of the trail can be harder to see due to plants growing over it partially. The Angel Fall Trailhead is located in Loop 2, area 2 of the Rabun Beach Campground. This is mostly an easy trail with a couple of short, steep runs. The payoff is reaching the observation deck where you can enjoy Angel Falls. Here you will see dogs on leash, kid-friendly, forests, rivers, and hiking. Great, short, easy "Moderate" hike. Parking is enough for a few cars only, but nearby there is a campground with a lot of parking. The hike itself is pretty easy. The peaceful surroundings and the sound of rushing water create a serene atmosphere, making it a must-visit for nature enthusiasts.

Angel Falls was tough to find with Google providing the wrong location, but the trailhead is off…read moreRabun Rd. about 4 miles down from where Google says it is! Happy we continued the beautiful drive around the lake to find it. The parking area is small, but we also were the only car there for our visit. It's a short, easy walk (just watch out for the roots!) to the falls, but it was a little more advanced after the bridge at the falls. We had lots of rain so the mud was slippery. Must-do hike if you're near!