Sat, Nov 15 2008 - Hiking - Raven Cliffs and Dukes Creek Falls trails (View Original Event Details) Trip Leader(s): Tony C, Tracey Steiner Participants: Tony C, Tracey Steiner, Joseph Martin, Robert Craig, Gwen, Terry, cliff j, Marty, Lynn

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Write Up:
Well the forecast called for showers and wind this morning, but we managed to dodge the rain for the most part. There was only maybe about 10 total minutes that we actually had drops falling on our heads. It turned out to be a crisp, cool autumn day and a nice one to be out on the trail. We visited Dukes Creek Falls first and the recent rain definitely helped make the falls even more impressive. The trail involved a some very long switchbacks and then ended in a couple of viewing platforms. We hung out here and took photos and dropped leaves and watched them float down into the rushing waters below.

We then headed to the Raven Cliff Falls trail...this is one of the most pleasant hikes in GA and it was very popular on this day...a near full parking lot. When we arrived, there were some forest service workers leaving, and they told us they had just repaired the bridge along the trail. A couple of us had been to the trail over the past weeks and instantly knew exactly the bridge they were talking about (see pics).

We hiked at a good pace down the 2.5 miles, stopping at some overlooks to check out smaller waterfalls. Then we reached the end of the trail to view the Raven Cliffs and the "hidden" waterfall within. We stopped here to have lunch while Robert hiked even further up and onto the cliffs themselves. A few of us were tempted to follow, but decided to wait for dryer conditions on a future return visit to the area.

We headed back to the parking lot and passed several people camping beside the creek. The total of seven miles hike had worked up some good appetites, so we stopped at "Papas Pizza" on the way home and enjoyed a good meal. It had started as a questionable day due to the weather, but turned out to be a very enjoyable couple of hikes with a great group of AOCers, as usual.

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