Tallulah Gorge Hike, Slide and Swim

It rained... this event downgraded to a D3 and done at Panther Creek Falls.

After arriving at the park, we'll get the permits to hike the floor of the gorge at the Jane Hurt Yarn Interpretive Center. The carpool departs early so that we can arrive by 8:15-8:30 AM and have a better chance of getting the gorge floor passes.

If for any reason we cannot get the permits, we'll have a back-up hike at the Panther Creek Falls Trail.  If it rains the night before or if rain is forecast, the hike may be delayed, postponed or cancelled. The park doesn't issue permits if the rocks are wet. Rain makes the hike on the gorge very difficult, if not impossible.

The plan is to walk down the Hurricane Falls Staircase, which has about 550 steps. Cross the suspension bridge and, at the bottom, get past the gate that says "Permit Required". We'll have to go to the other side of the river. A dry crossing is possible, but be prepared to have to step in the water. Then we'll scramble along the rocky margin of the river until we reach the Bridal Veil falls. The terrain is very uneven. There is one place that is slightly slippery, so you may want to wear shoes with good grip. At the falls, we'll stop for a swim, slide, have lunch, relax, take pictures and enjoy the views. The slide is really fun, I recommend you try it, if you've never done it before.

Getting out of the deep pool may feel tricky. If you are not a good swimmer, check where you are going to get out of the water before you get in. There is also a shallow pool, so knowing how to swim is not required for this trip. Just stay out of the deep waters and away from the slide.

After a couple of hours, we will hike back out of the gorge on the south side.  This is rated a D4 mostly because of this hike out of the gorge and the scramble along the river. The Sliding Rock Trail (south side) trail is a very steep (45° inclination) trail. It is not very long, but it is still strenuous.  When we reach the top of the gorge we will circumvent it until we arrive back at the visitor center.

The pace of this hike is leisurely. After we have the permits there is no reason to run. The total hike is only about 4 miles.

Note: Your TL also has a Three Forks hike posted the day before and will be camping in between that event and this one.  If you are interested in signing up for both and camping in between, please let me know.

Directions will be given at the event.

- All roads to the park are paved. There are no planned stops between the carpool and the park. Flush toilets are available at the interpretive center, but not after the hike starts.

There is no cost for this event, but the park charges a $5.00 parking fee per car if you don't have the Georgia State Park Permit.