October Outings

We camped and hiked in between the heavy fall rains here in Georgia. Most of the days were overcast – you can see the light is pretty flat in most of the pictures. Our first Amicalola outing had good sun.

Outings in October included:

2009-10-03 Amicalola Falls (pics)

Amicalola is an high and gorgeous fall that has an amazing staircase – essentially matching the fall’s grade – the climb provides a good aerobic indicator (and a reminder that my knees are getting a bit past warranty). We go here 3-5 times a year to see the falls in different seasons. The ‘river’/stream that feeds the top of the fall seems very unassuming; a meandering stream about 2.5 feet deep and 7-14 foot wide.

We took an unexpected rout down the eastern forest slope.  We had intended to go about 3 miles into the mountains toward Hike Inn but, we took the wrong trail.  I think we mistook a closed to cars barrier for closed to us barrier. The forest ridge trail was nice -you can see the pics.

2009-10-10 Amicalola River  (pics)

We were heading to Dahlonega during Yuki’s February visit when we found this by river walkway and recreation area by accident.  The Amicalola River is beautiful even when it’s not falling so steeply (this spot is about 10 miles down from the falls). I would love to gain the skill to kayak these tough class 3s. For now – walks among the river-forest lichen will have to suffice.

2009-10-16 Ravens Cliff Camping  (pics)

We camped, it was cold and wet, we took an off trail hike along one of the large streams, we encountered a large group of college kids who (we found Sunday morning) left all their trash in whole and split bags on the forest road (about 15 trash bags strewn about) and the campsite was also left with MANY traces. We had fun – still working out the camping cooking skills – need to start that fire earlier, get some nice embers rather than crackling logs.  Oh yeah – the VW conked out with some electronics issue about 20 minutes from our destination – we got a rental, sent the car to a shop in Gainseville, and continued on to camping.

2009-11-01 Ravens Cliff Falls – hiking (pics)

Well, we didn’t actually take the walk to the falls when we camped here a couple of weeks earlier. Too bad we didn’t.  They were amazing – like something out of the Hobbit or Lord of the Rings. A natural footpath provides a beautiful and easy-moderate hike.  The destination is a spring-water glade with large boulders and cliffs.  As you continue up the hill to the south of the fall, a narrow gap between two cliff walls reveals a rush of water falling from a hundred feet above, into a small pool at the bottom of the crevice.  The pictures don’t even hint at the beauty.

Locations:
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