WATERFALLS & SUNSETS Series - RAVEN CLIFF FALLS w/ YONAH Sunset

Raven Cliff Falls with Sunset from Mount Yonah

"Waterfalls and Sunsets" is a new series that I've come up with to highlight two of my favorite things to admire in nature.  Each event in the series will highlight anywhere from one to five waterfalls and then will polish off the day with a sunset viewing from a great location.  To make the most of the series requires coordination with mother nature's plans, so these typically won't be posted more than 4 or 5 days in advance.

The Falls:

Raven Cliff Falls is one of the most popular hikes in Georgia… and for good reason.  Raven Cliff Falls is formed by Dodd Creek, a modest size mountain stream known as one of the most beautiful in northern Georgia.  The falls consists of three drops, a 60-foot drop, followed by a 20-foot drop into a deep pool, followed by a cascade of 20 feet to Dodd Creek. The waterfall is an unusual double cascade flowing down through a fissure in a massive granite outcrop. These gorgeous falls cascade down through Raven cliff – literally slicing the massive cliff in half before cascading down through several lower falls below the cliff.  This hike has a truly rewarding waterfall at the end, but while following a rushing creek through beautiful forest, gives views of six other impressive waterfalls along the way.  Short cascades and riplets of whitewater produce a relaxing gurgle during a significant portion of the hike.

The round trip distance of the hike will be about 5.1 miles and have a modest 600 feet of ascent.  We will take time for lunch at the falls.

The Sunset:

Mount Yonah at 3166’ provides some spectacular views all the way from the SSW to the NNW and is an awesome spot to watch the sun set.   I expect the autumn colors on the mountains and in the valleys to be fairly close to peak, so we should get some very pretty views of those colors as well. 

We will hike up the main trail from the parking area and take a very short detour to "The Boulder".  From there we will continue up the mountain, until we reach the famous rock outcrop, seen in so many AOC photos.  If we have sufficient time before sunset (which we should) we will take a short trail to check out a couple of nice viewing locations, including the overlook to the south where you can see Stone Mtn and the downtown ATL skyline on a very clear day.

We will eat our dinner, snacks, or whatever you want to bring while we hang out and watch the sunset - which will be at 6:54 PM.  We will stay long enough to see the fading colors of twilight for a bit before heading back down the mountain. The hike down will be in the dark, so be sure to bring a headlamp or flashlight. The total distance of the Yonah portion will be about 4.5 miles  and total ascent will be about 1500'.

Between the two portions, this hike will be almost 10 miles and have about 2,100 feet of ascent.  We also need to stay on schedule, because the sun doesn't wait for us to arrive before it sets.  So anyone signing up for this event should have previous D4 hiking experience or the trip leader may be contacting you to determine if this hike is appropriate for you and reserves the right to remove anyone they don't feel is prepared for this hike.