There are two things about Georgia that make me scratch my head. One would be some of the old laws that are still on the books here, such as:
1) It is illegal to keep a donkey in a bathtub.
2) No one may carry an ice cream cone in their back pocket on a Sunday.
3) In Atlanta, it is against the law to tie a giraffe to a telephone pole or street lamp.
WHAT'S IN A NAME?
The other thing that makes me scratch my head is how notorious Georgia is for having several places with the same name. Metro Atlanta has over 200 streets with the name Peachtree. Also, if you are looking at a map leading to THIS waterfall, you will notice a town by the name of Pine Mountain in the upper right corner of the state. However, there is also a town by the same name one hour south of Atlanta.
Similarly, there are two Dick's Creek (as if one weren't enough) and both have waterfalls bearing their name. The other is "smaller", located about 55 miles east of these falls and is a gorgeous 20-foot multi-tiered waterfall with a swimming hole at the base of the final drop. It is (in my opinion) one of the best-looking waterfalls in Georgia and no hiking required to reach it. You can practically park on the upper tier and find your way down to the swimming hole below. A small waterfall that proves its how you use it that counts.
THE HIKE
THIS Dick's Creek Falls (located in Rabun County) is much taller @ 60' and looks like a giant Slip n' Slide. To get to the waterfall you must travel Sandy Ford Road until it intersects with the Bartram Trail. Follow the trail north until you cross Dick's Creek. Turn right after crossing the first foot bridge and when you see a second foot bridge on your right, cross it also and continue to follow the trail straight. There will be a small opening on the right side of the trail that leads you to the top of the falls. The vantage point here will allow you to see upstream of the Chattooga River.
Continue a few hundred feet down the trail to find an opening that leads you into the Chattooga River. I did not find a direct trail to the base of the falls, but from this opening expect to get your feet wet! You must get wet IF you want a great photo of the falls. But don't fret, the view downstream and upstream on the river is actually more beautiful than the waterfall itself. The river bends and cascades 100 yards from the base of the falls and creates a very unique photo opportunity.
The Chattooga River was not deep or raging the day I visited, so the current was mild. It only came as high as my thigh as I crossed over the weirdly hairy stones and a sandy bottom, which I suppose is where Sandy Ford Road gets its name. Upstream I could see kayakers approaching and on the dry boulders near the rivers bend there were sunbathers.
The most attractive thing about Dick's Creek Falls is the area surrounding the falls is simply one of the best looking of any of the waterfalls I've been to in the state. Picturesque is the only world that comes to mind.
NOTES: While driving to the trailhead, if you stay on Sandy Ford Road past the trail entrance it will lead to a beach-like area off the Chattooga River. This area is downstream of the falls. Also, there are only three places a vehicle could park comfortably near the trailhead.
[ DIRECTIONS ]
From US-23 (Hwy 441) in Clayton, Georgia travel east on Rickman Road. In 1/2 a mile it will merge into Warwoman Road. 5.3 miles from here make a slight right onto Sandy Ford Road. Stay right and follow it down to the small concrete bridge over Warwoman Creek. Stay on this road approximately 3.2 miles to the Bartram Trailhead (you will see wooden signs). Follow the trailhead to the left of the road as you drove in. The trail to the right will take you back to Warwoman Dell and NOT towards the falls.
Once on the trail, make a sharp right after you cross the first foot bridge then another right when you see a second footbridge and follow the sounds of rushing water. Overall trail is about 1.2 miles round trip and not very steep.
FINAL THOUGHTS
A beautiful waterfall and a even more beautiful natural area to bring the family on a hike (and play in the water). Just know there is no easy way to get a full and unobstructed photo of the falls without walking out into the Chattooga River. I did see what seemed to be an unsanctioned side trail to the base, but it was steep and didn't at all look safe. Another option would be to bring your own kayak and launch from further upstream.
Here also is a link to the OTHER Dick's Creek Falls just in case you have a little more adventure in you after your visit: https://www.yelp.com/biz/dicks-creek-falls-cleveland?osq=Dick%27s+Creek+Falls
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