High Falls Backpacking with optional standing Indian hike

High Falls is a gorgeous fall (about 200 ft) located below Big Scaly and near Standing Indian Mountain. This is a great opportunity to see and enjoy its beauty and surroundings. Also if you want you can hike to Standing Indian summit (5,499 ft).

The total distance hiked can vary between 4.6 to 10.5 miles. From the trail head to High Falls camp site is 2.3 miles one way. From camp site to Standing Indian is 2.8 miles.

Total driving distance is around 210 miles round trip with a driving time around 2 hours each way.

First Day:
We will leave Indian Trail Park/Ride at 7:30. Probably around 10 we will start at the Beech Creek trailhead north of Tate city. We will cross Scaly ridge and follow the Beech Creek up (north east) to the High Falls. If I remember correctly we will have 3 water crossings but the water should not be that high at this time (however, be prepared to take your shoes off). When we get to the High Falls we will find a camp site and set up.  (It is about 2.3 miles hike from the trail head to High Falls with 1580 ft total ascent).

After setting up camp and gathering firewood, we have some options -

--Stay at the camp site, relax and enjoy the wilderness, cold water and camp fire.

--Or hike to Standing Indian and back. This is a strenuous 5.8 round trip hike. There is a connector trail that connects Beech Greek to Appalachian Trail. This connector is very steep (quarter of a mile and 630 ft accent which makes it a 45% sloop or 25 degree of inclination). After getting to Appalachian Trail, it is a straght-forward 2.3 hike with 1000 ft accent to Standing Indian summit.  See second map below.  Fardis will be leading this.

--Or hike to Big Scaly over look and back, about a 4 1/2 mile round trip.  This option will remain on the main trail to Case Knife Gap, and cut over approx 1 mile to the overlook.  This is a great view.  No map for this option.

Second Day:

After having breakfast we will pack up and around 10 we will follow the same path back to our cars. I recommend that you start with at least 1.5 liter of water. There will be water source around camp site so you can refill.

When we arrive back at the cars, we can take a quick dip in the Tallulah River and change into dry clothes.  Bring a towel.  There are no bathrooms.

Up to two dogs allowed on this Event. Be aware that is going to be very hot and I don’t want to see them get heatstroke. So don’t forget to bring a lot for water for them.

We are up for stopping on the way back for lunch in Clayton.  If you prefer not to, arrange this at the carpool on Saturday morning, and bring enough food to sustain you until later Sunday afternoon.  

Directions to trailhead will be given at carpool (or print your own: https://goo.gl/maps/U5hM9kKa Aq22).

GPS: Tate City, Georgia

34.9953461, -83.5561566