I have a hard time giving a natural and scenic area less than five stars. As the previous reviewer…read morementioned, this is not an easy hike. Nor is it particularly easy to get to the trailhead. But I've experienced far worse access roads and I've hiked more difficult trails. The USFS road to the trailhead is typical gravel. I took Overflow Creek Rd both ways and I believe that it is easier to traverse than is Hale Ridge Rd. Depending upon when you visit (i.e., the weather during the previous week or so), it could be pretty rough - rutted, muddy, etc. But it isn't horrible. The hike is rather strenuous. Make that...the hike OUT. It is all downhill - and rather steep - going in. Easy-peasy. But you know what that means for the return trip. Yep. It'll get your heart pounding. Personally, I would not bring my dog here. He loves waterfalls. But there are others that are more pet-friendly in terms of ruggedness. In my opinion, it would be easy for Fido to get hurt here. Same with young children. But if you have kids that are experienced in the outdoors, they'd probably do OK. As far as the waterfalls go, they don't get much better. Both are incredible. They're pretty close to one another. So when you get to the first one (Holcomb), the remaining trek to Ammons Creek Falls isn't bad. There are two options for hiking out. Between the two falls is a side trail that takes you back up and brings you out on the road a good distance away (1/4-1/2 mile?) from the parking area. Once you get to the road, it's pretty easy to get back to your car. I did this on a visit many years ago. Too long ago to comment on it. As I recall, it is more challenging than hiking out on the main trail. And the main trail is no cake walk. On my most-recent visit, I opted for the main trail as the spur seemed terribly overgrown. If you're in reasonably good shape, you'll have no problem. Just take your time and enjoy the scenery.

Holcomb Creek trail a relatively short hike with TWO waterfall payoffs! However, it has a few…read morechallenges, so let me get the negatives out of the way up front! A) The trail to the falls is a steep downhill hike, which is awesome going down, but a beast returning up. B) Parking is EXTREMELY limited and the gravel road to the trailhead is LONG and narrow, so cars coming from the opposite direction feel like a tight and heavily calculated squeeze. One side of the road is a sheer drop to certain doom or at the very least sever car damage! C) Parts of this hike feel like you are walking through a haunted forest. I mean, even on a bright sunny day (like today) there were two areas that were so dense with growth that it seemed to black out the sun. Add to that the gnarly twisted branches of the plants that made it look even creepier. I seriously got spooked since I was the only living human being on this trail! I'm no Scaredy Cat, but I found myself looking around for Orcs and grabbing a random dead tree branch as a staff like I were the gray wizard (or in my case the brown wizard). D) The trail past Holcomb Creek Falls to Ammon Falls is a steep uphill climb for about 1/4 of a mile. But putting those negatives aside, these are two HUGE waterfalls worthy of a scary walk through the woods. Holcomb Creek Falls is said to be 120' tall and Ammon Falls is probably around 65'. Both have spectacular straight-on unobstructed views, but Holcomb is best viewed from the rocks at its base. You can easily access this area by walking over the bridge viewing area and turning left. Climb a few large boulders and voilà, you will be standing at the stone feet of this mammoth. Ammon is best viewed from the observation deck which is in need of some repair. NOTES - Watch the missing deck board and chipped wood railing (unless you enjoy splinters in your hand). The sun is directly at the top of Holcomb Falls around 3:45pm, making picture taking difficult. DIRECTIONS: From Atlanta take I-985 which eventually turns into Hwy 441. Turn right off Hwy 441 onto Warwoman Road in Clayton, GA. Travel for about 10 miles and turn left onto Hales Ridge Road. Here you will see a brown sign indicating turn left for Holcomb Creek and Bartram Trail. Stay on this gravel road for about 7 miles until it dead ends @ Overflow Road. Trail is to the left of the intersection and marked with a large boulder that says Holcomb Creek Trail. Parking is to the right of the intersection. FINAL THOUGHTS Great short hike with excellent payoffs! But remember when hiking, what goes down must come back up! If you hike only this trail, your legs will be fine, but if this is your third trail of the day (like me), your legs will feel like linguini when your done. I'm gonna soak in my tub all night! PS - Other nearby trails to excellent waterfalls include Bartram Trail to Martin's Creek Falls & Becky Branch Falls, Dick's Creek Falls trailhead, Mud Creek Falls in Sky Valley and Glen Falls trail in Highlands, NC. 2018/52