This is the best waterfall we got to visit in SC this far. After we left Reedy Branch Falls we…read moredrove here. Well, as close as we could get. I didn't realize that we couldn't drive all the way to the trailhead so we had a long hike in store due to me having to carry my toddler most of the time. I should have re-read the previous reviews before coming. My friend did help me carry her as well and for that I was very thankful. So definitely don't recommend this hike with a little one unless strapped in a carrier. Also, I don't recommend it for the elderly either. It's definitely a wilderness hike deal with roots and elevation change. In fact, it's mostly downhill on the way to the falls, but on the way back it's pretty much all uphill, which was not fun with aforementioned young child. It's about a half mile to the actual trailhead and then another 0.7 mile to the falls. That's about 2.4 miles round trip. The reason of course that my boys absolutely became enamored with this place is the large swimming hole. It is wonderful and has plenty of space. The waterfall itself is beautiful and although it's not as tall as others, its width is quite impressive. I was trying to get as close as I could and even noticed a hidden part of the falls inside of the rock structure. That was so cool!! The sand at the base and shore give it a beachy vibe. We definitely packed it in and out making sure not to leave anything behind as to preserve the area as best as possible. Needless to say we were wiped by the time we made it back to our vehicles, but we're still glad we decided to venture here. Coming back with my hubby and boys in the very near future. Happy yelping!

I just wanted to update my 3/15/20 review below to add I've now done this hike several times, but…read moreTHIS time I had the chance to hike it with a friend who is directly related to the namesake of the waterfall... Riley Moore. Sandie is a church friend of mine and Riley Moore was her Great Great Uncle (I believe that's right). He once upon a time operated a grist mill here at the top of the falls. She's been trying to get here to see the waterfall, but couldn't find it and wanted to join us (along with her family) since I knew the way. Upon further research I discovered there are actually still remnants of the mill including visible drill holes, spikes and bolts. Thought that was pretty cool info to share! [ [ [ PREVIOUS REVIEW ] ] ] Riley Moore Falls is small in height but HUGE in personality. It's located off State Road S37-748, which is a nicely maintained gravel road where cars and trucks alike can comfortably traverse. ~~~ DIRECTIONS From Westminster, SC - DO NOT turn onto Cobb Bridge Road from Long Creek Hwy (Hwy 76) where you will see the brown & white sign pointing you in the direction of Riley Moore Falls. Our GPS had us go this way, then left onto State Road S37-748, but the road was CLOSED during our visit! INSTEAD, turn onto PU-32 also known as Rocky Fork Road. Turn left onto a gravel road near Rocky Fork Baptist Church and follow that until it dead ends @ State Road S37-748 (also known as Spy Rock Road). Turn right and drive approx. 1.4 miles (4 minutes) to 748c (aka Riley Moore Shoals Road). Park at the intersection of State Road S37-748 and 748c. DO NOT ATTEMPT TO DRIVE 748c in a car or minivan. Low clearance vehicles will find the terrain on this road to be VERY difficult to navigate without bottoming out or getting stuck. I'd also recommend 4x4 capability on wet days! There can be several deep-pocketed muddy areas after heavy rains. ~~~ THE TRAIL Once you reach the intersection of Spy Rock Rd (S37-748) and 748c, park roadside on Spy Rock, secure your vehicle and begin your hike approx. 1/2 mile down the "primitive road." IF you have a high ground clearance SUV or truck, you can drive the primitive road another half mile or so to a second parking area near the trailhead. The primitive road is VERY BUMPY  and can be muddy in spots after heavy rains, so a 4x4 is best. After reaching the second parking area, follow the marked trail on the left!!! The trail is a little over a 1/2 mile to the falls from here. The trail is fairly straightforward and easy to follow. ~~~ THE FALLS Once you reach the Chauga River, you will notice a large sandy area with plenty of room for an entire horde of hikers!!! Riley Moore Falls is not very tall (only about 12 feet), but it is very wide and has a deep base pool. PRO TIP - Bring swimwear, towels and a picnic, but be sure to pack it in and pack it out. ~~~ THINGS TO KNOW Hiking Distance: 2 miles (round trip to falls from S37-748) Difficulty of hiking 748c: All downhill to trailhead (moderate return) Difficulty of hiking trail to falls: EASY Creek Crossings: NO Elevation Gain: 357 feet Waterfall Height: Approx 12 feet Access to top of falls: NO - not without getting wet Access to base of falls: YES Pool of water @ base of Falls: YES Sitting areas @ base: YES + sandy beach RESTROOMS: NO PARKING: YES (along road) + secondary parking area closer to trailhead for trucks and high ground clearance vehicles with room for about 6 cars. ~~~ [ FINAL THOUGHTS ] A lovely waterfall in any season, but also a great spot for a summer swim. While we had the waterfall practically to ourselves during our Mid-March expedition, be advised other trail website reviews say it gets trashy & crowded in summer months. What a shame if that is true because it truly is a treasure. ENJOY! 2022 / 74 #UPDATE 178

Beautiful waterfalls and very easy to get to from warwoman dell parking lot. The trail is abt 2…read moremiles one way with an easy water crossing within 5 min. You can avoid it if you take the trail on the right of road crossing instead of going straight. The path is mostly gentle and downhill to falls but it felt ssteep and uphill on our way back from pinnacle knob at the end of 8 Miles. Always an awesome hike especially after rain or with fall colors

Martin Creek Falls is a beautiful secluded waterfall in Clayton, GA near Warwoman Dell. It is part…read moreof the Chattahoochee National Forest that encompasses the entire Northeast corner of the state of Georgia. The forest itself is 750,145 acres and is so large that it is divided into regions. Martin Creek is located in the Chattooga River District and specifically in Rabun County, whom incorporates the largest portion of the National Forest. 148,684 acres of this massive forest system lie within Rabun County borders. Depending on how much you like hiking, you can get to Martin Creek Falls on a short 1/2 mile hike via Finney Creek Road or a longer 2 mile hike (one way) from Warwoman Dell via the Bartram Trail. If you choose to hike from Warwoman Dell, your extra effort will be rewarded with two additional waterfalls as well as a loop trail highlighting the history of the area. Becky Branch Falls is located near the trailhead at Warwoman Dell and an additional unnamed waterfall is about 1/4 mile south of Martin Creek Falls. Only about 8 feet tall, but it's multiple levels make it a beauty. Martin Creek Falls is one of the prettier waterfalls in North Georgia. It is a multi-tiered waterfall that looks as if it goes on forever from the base. It is also one of the few waterfalls that I wish the vegetation would be cut away to make the full view of the falls visible. From the deck at its base you can see the largest drop, but the upper tiers become more difficult to see as vegetation near the middle tier blocks the view. Still, it is a gorgeous waterfall that makes wandering in this neck of the woods an incredibly satisfying adventure. The lower part of the falls are shaded while the upper part is sunny, so bring a UV filter (which I forgot) for best DSLR results. 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. 2.5 miles from here you will pass the parking entrance to Warwoman Dell, which is difficult to see, but look for a small brown sign with a picnic table symbol and turn right. You can either park here and take Bartram Trail to the falls (about 2 miles one way) OR continue along Warwoman Road to Finney Creek Road. Approximate address for Finney Creek Road is 3742 Warwoman Rd, Clayton, GA 30525. TURN LEFT. It is a gravel road across from an open grassy field. The trailhead to the falls is approximately 1.1 miles from Warwoman Road or approximately 1/2 mile from the Wildlife Management Check-In station that you will pass along Finney Creek Road. Hike from this trailhead to the falls is approximately 1/2 mile round trip. Recommended for families with young children as they can also splash around in the pool of water at the waterfalls base, so bring their swimsuits and ENJOY! 2018/54

This was definitely a different landscape for us and we loved it. We were happy we had a four wheel…read moredrive because the drive here is not paved at has steep hills. When you get here there is no signage at all. You just drive and look for it. There is really no parking except for parking on the side of the creek. There are areas for people to camp but they are not defined. We drove as high as we could and someone else driving down. They told us to follow them to one of the falls, but there was not much of a fall bc of the lack of rain. We had also parked at the spot they pointed to us for a break from the uphill steep drive. We went down more and parked by the creek and went down to see the water. When we got there, we looked up and saw the fall, but it was a bit of a distance for us to drive back to, plus we would have to walk over rocks to get to it. I didn't get to take a pic but it was pretty. We did like this trip, but I think I wished I could have seen more. The day before we went to the Edge of the World in Dahlonega and enjoyed that more.

Place was beautiful, but it kinda sucked that the upper falls are closed due to some construction…read moreto the trails. It really doesn't tell you anywhere either, you just find out when you get there. Place is so amazing though!

Wanna know a secret???…read more There are waterfalls all over this region of the South just waiting to be discovered. Many are known and many more are unknown. While I've been hiking this area for nearly a decade, I only recently heard about this waterfall for the first time last year (2019). A well kept local secret indeed... but y'all dun let the wrong yelper discover this waterfall and the secret is about to be let out! [ THE DRIVE ] There are a shocking amount of natural waterfalls located on private property throughout this area. Thankfully this is not one of them and it can be enjoyed by all. The gravel road to the trailhead is known as Big Creek Road. Since we were coming from the King Creek Waterfall area near Tamassee SC, GPS lead us to the eastern end of Horse Cove Road, which is also known as Bull Pen Road closer to the Chattooga River (where you pass over a cool old iron bridge). I tell you these details because if you happen to follow our driving route on a week after heavy rainfalls, you are likely to see a great number of unnamed waterfalls off in the woods. We counted 5, and only one of them was a named waterfall on Google maps (Scotsman Falls). [ THE EXPERIENCE ] We traveled along Walking Stick Road until it took a sharp right turn towards Big Creek Road. On the day we visited, there was a locked gate blocking the drive onto Big Creek Road, so we parked in a small little niche near the gate and walked about 200 yards to the Secret Falls trailhead (which is marked with a narrow sign). The trail was very muddy, but the descent was slow and steady for the majority of the half mile hike. However, it gets considerably steeper as you approach the portion of the trail leading to the base of the falls. Here you will see poorly maintained wooden timbers actings as steps.They were so poor in fact, that we opted not to use them and walked alongside them. The waterfall was raging from all the recent rain, which limited some of our photo opportunities. It is a gorgeous waterfall with picturesque cascades both above and below it. The cascades below comes as the river takes a sharp left turn just past the pool of water at the base of the falls. Accessing the upper waterfall area is easily done by using a small obvious trail off to the left just before the wooden steps. A downed tree forces you to scramble over it and around large rhododendrons that are bent over from the weight of the fallen tree. Once through the brush, you will be directly on top of the falls, so be careful and exercise good judgement. [ THINGS TO KNOW ] Hiking Distance: 1.3 miles Difficulty: Easy and family friendly (but can be muddy) Creek Crossings: YES (3) Elevation Gain: 255 feet Waterfall Height: Approx 45 feet Access to top of falls: YES Access to base of falls: YES Pool of water @ base of Falls: YES Sitting areas @ base: YES RESTROOMS: NO PARKING: YES if gate is open. [ FINAL THOUGHTS ] THE SECRET IS OUT!!! This is a great waterfall for an easy family adventure. We came in the winter, but seems this would be a great picnic spot where kids could play in the water for hours in the summer. The drive to nearby Highlands, NC is only about 6.5 miles away for plenty of food options and even more waterfall adventures. Near Highlands are a number of GREAT waterfalls with very short hiking distances including Ranger Falls, Bust Yer Butt Falls, Bridal Veil Falls, Cullasaja River Falls and our personal favorites: Glen Falls, Dry Falls, Mud Falls and Estatoah Falls (which is hidden just next to the Sky Valley Scenic Overlook). ENJOY!!! 2020 / 4

I was somewhat surprised that there are not more reviews of this trail/waterfall. I believe that…read morethe real name of this falls is Big Shoals Falls. In his book on NC waterfalls, Kevin Adams referred to it as Secret Falls and the name seems to have stuck. For years, there was no official trail to this waterfall and the one unofficial trail which existed traversed private property. I've been visiting the area for thirty years and this (October 2021) was my first visit to this waterfall. Bottom line: It is awesome. Truly one of the more beautiful waterfalls that I've been to. I have to disagree with the previous reviewer: IMO, this trail is in horrible shape. Granted, reviews like these are entirely subjective. But I would definitely not bring young children or dogs here. When I visited, the trail was really in bad shape. The first part of the hike was fairly easy. But the farther you go, the worse the trail becomes. Erosion had taken a terrible toll. There are many rutted and washed-out areas. Some were so bad that hikers have bypassed the trail completely. The final descent to the base of the falls was the worst. Wooden steps had been constructed. But the erosion was so bad that much of the soil behind the steps had washed out making the steps all but unusable. There are two water crossings on the trail. One was a couple of planks stretched across a small branch. The other was on a split log over a somewhat larger stream. Neither was too difficult. Then again, the faint-of-heart would probably not care for either one. Trekking poles helped me on both. I was not able to find a path to the brink of the falls. I tried one crude path which seemed to be incredibly choked with rhododenron. So I gave up on getting to the top of the falls. There is a much smaller cascade downstream of the main falls. As with the brink, I could not figure out how to get to it. I visited early in the morning and had the place all to myself. The lighting wasn't terrific. I'm not sure what time or sky conditions are ideal for photography. I drove in on Rich Gap and Big Creek Roads off of Hwy 28 south of Highlands. It wasn't too bad of a drive in my 2WD F-150. But I believe that the drive out on Walking Stick Rd to Horse Cove Rd east of town was easier. If you love waterfalls, definitely put this one on your must-see list. But be aware of the fact that the hike is a challenge. Not so much due to elevation change (which is moderate) but, rather, due to the overall condition of the trail.

Those looking for a short waterfall hike will appreciate Becky Branch Falls. It is approximately a…read morehalf mile hike round trip from the Warwoman Dell parking area to the falls via Bartram Trail. It can be easily viewed from a small bridge that crosses directly in front of the 20' waterfall. If you are feeling more adventurous, you can continue along Bartram Trail another 1.8 miles to Martin Creek Falls. It is mostly downhill, so the hike there is easy until you must return along the same path. Still, for the most part the trail is not terribly strenuous in any area. I walked this trail with a father and his 6 year old daughter that I met in the Warwoman Dell parking area. This tiny little lady easily conquered the trail, although I'm not sure how she handled the return trip since they stayed to swim in the pool of water at the base of Martin Creek Falls. The trail passes another waterfall that I don't believe has a name. It is a beautiful 8 foot multitiered waterfall, but it's not the big show! Travel approximately 1/3rd of a mile further past this fall to reach Martin Creek Falls. Believe me, it is worth the extra hike. THE AREA However, if you choose to only visit Becky Branch Falls, then be sure to check out the interactive trail through Warwoman Dell. Lots of informative signs will tell you about the area and the woman for whom it is named, Nancy Ward. Pronounced Nanye-hi, this Chreokee woman (whom belonged to the Wolf Clan) fought against the Creek Indians with her Cherokee husband. He was killed in battle, yet Nanye-hi rallied to lead her fellow Cherokees and defeated the Creeks. She was given the prestigious title of Ghighau (Beloved Woman) by her clan, which in turn gave her a council voice regarding decisions of war and peace. She eventually met and married an English trader by the name of Bryant Ward and spent the rest of her days trying to make peace between the Cherokee Nation and the Settlers. SOURCE: Scenic USA - Georgia The trail is a 1.5 mile loop that highlights the variety of plants such as the vast array of ferns, wildflowers and rhododendrons. This I believe is a nod to John Bartram (considered America's first botanist), Father of William Bartram of whom Bartram Trail is named. The trail is also said to have a beautiful scenic overlook, but I was honestly too tired to fully walk the loop trail to discover the view after my waterfall hike. Also along the trail is evidence of 18th century plans to build a railroad through this area. The bed for the railroad can still be seen in Warwoman Dell. FINAL THOUGHTS Family friendly hike that encompasses a lot of the things I love about being out in nature: Waterfalls, scenic views, beautiful plants and historic sites. I can only imagine what this trail looks like in the Spring when the rhododendrons are in bloom. 2018/53

This was a fun trail! I don't know much about hiking but this seemed like a fairly easy hike with a…read moregreat payoff in the form of a very pretty waterfall. We went in early November and saw a handful of other people. There We did not do the loop, instead continuing up on the Martin Creek Falls trail. I highly recommend, if you're up looking for a 4+ mile hike. If I had to make one criticism, it'd be that the trail doesn't go far from the road so you're hearing traffic for the duration of the hike. Not that it's a heavily trafficked road but you can definitely hear passing cars. There is parking just east of the trailhead at Warwoman Dell. Lastly, I had zero cell service on this trail! I got one tiny pulse of 3G at the trailhead, which enabled me to send a text I'd been trying to send since we parked, but nothing other than that. Lack of service aside, I would gladly hike this trail again!

Tallulah Gorge State Park is a 2,689-acre Georgia state park adjacent to Tallulah Falls, Georgia,…read morealong the county line between Rabun and Habersham Counties. The park surrounds Tallulah Gorge, a 1,000-foot deep gorge formed by the action of the Tallulah River, which runs along the floor of the gorge. Service options here are picnic tables available, has barbecue grill and it's dogs friendly. One of the most spectacular canyons in the eastern U.S., Tallulah Gorge is two miles long and nearly 1,000 feet deep. Visitors can hike rim trails to several overlooks, or they can obtain a permit to hike to the gorge floor (100 per day, not available during water releases). A suspension bridge sways 80 feet above the rocky bottom, providing spectacular views of the river and waterfalls. $5 parking fee or an Annual ParkPass is required for each vehicle. The park offers a range of trails, from easy rim walks to the more challenging trek down into the gorge floor. Permits are required for gorge floor access, but the effort is well worth it as you can get up close to the waterfalls, including the famous Hurricane Falls. Approximately 2 miles, round-trip Mulched with metal stairs, Rated difficult. This trail has a total of 1,099 stairs (including staircase to gorge floor). Please do not attempt this trail if you have any known health condition. The North and South Rim Trails consist of 3 miles round- trip which will take approximately 2 hours to hike. It is a mulched trail with exposed roots that is a leisurely walk. From the Interpretive Center there is a recycled rubber tire trail that accesses Overlooks 2 and 3. Overall had a great experience.

The visitor center is phenomenal! Movie was down for some reason. The gift shop has loads to choose…read morefrom and the rest rooms were clean and there were many stalls available. There is almost a museum quality to the taxidermy animal scene they have in the middle of the room and along the walls. Truly a special visit! The hike to see the inspirational point and the swinging bridge wasn't too strenuous for my 4 or 5 year old for people's reference when considering it. We are an active family who hikes etc. There were a lot of warnings but we found it wasn't as bad as it seemed.

Stonewall Creek Falls is located on the trail known as Stonewall Falls & White Twister Mountain…read moreBike Trail. It's an 11.5 mile trail used most often by mountain bikes (as the name would imply) and has multiple wet creek crossings. The parking area & trailhead are off Stonewall Creek Road, also known as Crooked Oak Road on one end and Carleton English Road on the other. Three names in less than 3 miles of road, but you would only know this if you are looking at Google Maps. [ DIRECTIONS ] The trailhead is approx. 1.3 miles from paved South Main Street in Tiger, GA. The road is gravel with no signage, but a small utility building with two power boxes surrounded by a chain link fence sits right on the corner. The road is a touch bumpy and is best for trucks, Jeeps, SUV's and vehicles with more clearance, but a car COULD make it through. [ THE TRAIL ] You'll know you've arrived when you reach a small forest service gate with a niche large enough for about 3 cars. There is also sufficient room for several more cars to park roadside. The Mountain Bike Trail has a 1492 foot elevation change and encompasses some of the roadway past the parking area. However, to get to the waterfall, go through the gate, cross the small creek and continue left downhill for about 1/2 mile. The waterfall will come into view near a large open camping area. [ THE FALLS ] The easiest waterfall to reach is the one at the camping area. It's approximately 20 feet tall. HOWEVER, there is another waterfalls upstream of the main falls, but it is difficult to reach. Scouting reports I have read say to use a steep side trail 100 yards or so further uptrail past the falls. You will see two faint trails and I've been told the first of the two is the better option, but be careful, BOTH are STEEP. I tried the second trail (didn't know the first trail was the better option at the time) and only made it halfway before turning back. It felt against my better judgement to try this alone with my tiny little dog. So I plan to come back on another day when I have another crazy adventurer with me for support (and possibly a 911 call). Just slightly upstream from the main falls is an easier path to Stonewall Creek. My thought is to try to wade through the river to the upper falls, which are far prettier according to some of the pics I've witnesses on hiking trail galleries: https://mtnimages.smugmug.com/Hiking-With-Mtnimages/Hike-to-Stonewall-Creek/i-bdsqddz/A TIP - If you hike upstream looking for the side trail to the upper falls and make it to a creek crossing, you've gone too far! There is also another waterfall downstream of the main falls, but requires some mountain goat skills and bushwacking, which I'm hoping to get into this summer as I want to trailblaze to more remote waterfalls. [ THINGS TO KNOW ] Hiking Distance: 1 miles (round trip to main falls) Difficulty: Easy & family friendly (main waterfall) Difficulty: Strenuous & dangerous (upper and lower falls) Creek Crossings: YES (1) small stream at the beginning Elevation Gain: n/a Waterfall Height: Approx 18-20 feet (main) Access to top of falls: NO Access to base of falls: YES Pool of water @ base of Falls: YES Sitting areas @ base: YES + camping area RESTROOMS: NO PARKING: YES (3+ cars) [ FINAL THOUGHTS ] I enjoy hiking very much! The beauty, serenity and adventure calls to me and the peace that comes from such adventures is simply unmatched. The only thing that disturbs my hiking serenity is when I can't reach my destination. I'm stubborn and bullheaded like that! The first waterfall was nice, but my mission was to see all three, or at the very least the main falls AND the upper falls.... so I left disappointed. Still, it was one of several waterfalls I toured today as I scouted new trails for my hiking groups 2020 expeditions. This is a great short hike to add to other longer hikes when looking to fill up a day. NOTE TO SELF: Be better prepared next time with trail map downloads and GPS trackers that work even offline to better navigate to falls that are off-trail. Also, bring a machete just in case some light bushwacking is required. 2020 / 9

I love this places, beautiful, relaxing. I love to end here after mountain biking trails. Is not…read morecrowded place

Maxie Lee Wright Duke was an avid waterfall hunter and good friend to Sidney Holmes Ballenger, Jr.,…read morea man who loved waterfalls so much that he literally wrote the pioneering book on finding them in Oconee County, South Carolina. When he died @ age 73, Maxie wanted to honor him by petitioning the U. S. Department of the Interior in hopes of naming an UNNAMED local waterfall in his honor. While her 1993 petition was denied, the effort didn't end. In late 2014, Renee Hattenstein reapplied to the U.S. Board on Geographic Names to have the falls officially named Sid's Falls and in April of 2016, the name Sid's Falls was accepted by the board. Sadly I found an online obituary stating Maxie Lee Wright Duke passed away in December of 2020. But Oconee County residence wanted to honor her by unofficially naming a waterfall after her in close proximity to Sid's Falls. As a matter of fact, Maxie Duke Falls shares most of the same trail and parking that you would use to visit Sid's Falls. [ THE EXPERIENCE ] I WANT TO GIVE FAIR WARNING right up front that while 95% of this trail is super easy, the final leg of the trail to the base of the falls is NOT FOR THE FAINT OF HEART or anyone not capable of using BOTH HANDS during the descent. You will absolutely need to posses basic skills in climbing and some upper body and leg strength. The trail to the bottom at minimum fits the CLASS 3 hike rating and the breakoff trail to Maxie Duke is practically CLASS 4 as ropes are available to assist climbers on the steep, steep terrain. PARK at the small area off Damascus Church Road between Damascus Baptist Church and Cool Springs Road (State Route S-37-797). Walk around the gate and enjoy approx. 1.4 miles of easy hiking on a wide old road that passes two open grassy fields along the way. The grade varies, but typically stays within a 5% differential. However, once the trail enters into the woods and narrows, it becomes steeper. You will reach a point where the trail forks right or left. RIGHT is to Sid's Falls and LEFT is to Maxie Duke Falls. Here is where either trail gets noticeable difficult as the grade to Sid's can exceed -34% (according to AllTrails). Maxie Duke's trail is even steeper and may require the assistance of a preinstalled rope for most of the descent. Once you reach the creek you will need to wet cross over to the right side in order to achieve the best view of the falls. I ducked under a large fallen tree and discovered a dry trail leading to the base of the falls. I walked right out onto the stone ledge of the falls through the water and did not find the stones to be particularly slippery. In fact, I had good grip but I still remained very cautious. [ FINAL THOUGHTS ] When returning, you could also continue your adventure and follow the trail right of the split to Sid's Falls. But again, BE FOREWARNED the trail to Sid's is only slightly less steep, and you will absolutely need both hands and a lower center of gravity to remain balanced! Plan on getting your feet wet @ both falls to attain the best vantage for photos. Proceed with caution, respect the power of nature and know your own ability. It took us about 2 hours 20 minutes to hike from parking to both falls and back, which included rests and about 25 minutes of picture taking. ~ Round trip length to both: 3.3 miles ~ Elevation Gain: UNKNOWN (but probably 600+ feet) OVERALL this is a wonderful hike that will fool you into thinking it's easy for its majority... But do not choose to visit this trail casually! You're gonna get dirty, you're gonna be very tired, but the payoff is well worth the effort to see these two 50 foot beauties! NOT RECOMMENDED for young children, dogs, anyone with balance issues or solo hikers because it is not a popular trail (yet) and injuring yourself would make the return ascent very difficult. 2022 / 73

It is my honor to introduce Sid's Falls to the yelp community…read more [ THE STORY BEHIND THIS WATERFALL ] It is named after Sidney Holmes Ballenger, Jr., a man who loved waterfalls so much that he literally wrote the pioneering book on finding them in Oconee County, South Carolina. He died @ age 73 and a 1993 petition was sent to the U. S. Department of the Interior in hopes of naming one of the local UNNAMED waterfalls in his honor. By his side on many adventures was his friend Maxie Duke, who actually helped discover and officially name the waterfall currently known as Sid's Falls. While her 1993 petition was denied, the effort didn't end. In late 2014, Renee Hattenstein reapplied to the U.S. Board on Geographic Names to have the falls officially named Sid's Falls and in April of 2016, the name Sid's Falls was accepted by the board. *** I absolutely love chasing waterfalls despite TLC's song warning otherwise, so this story of friendship and determination to honor all he had done for Oconee County touched me deeply. I simply couldn't, as an avid hiker and purveyor of waterfall adventures, pass on the opportunity to visit Sid's. During my research of this waterfall duo I discovered a third member of their hiking team, a man named John Danner. Sadly I found an online obituary stating Maxie Lee Wright Duke passed away in December of 2020. Both her & John have waterfalls unofficially named in their honor in close proximity to Sid's Falls. As a matter of fact, Maxie Duke Falls shares most of the same trail and parking that you would use to visit Sid's Falls. [ THE EXPERIENCE ] I WANT TO GIVE FAIR WARNING right up front that while 95% of this trail is super easy, the final leg of the trail to the base of the falls is NOT FOR THE FAINT OF HEART or anyone not capable of using BOTH HANDS during the descent. You will absolutely need to posses basic skills in climbing and some upper body and leg strength. The trail to the bottom at minimum fits the CLASS 3 hike rating and the breakoff trail to Maxie Duke is practically CLASS 4 as ropes are available to assist climbers on the steep, steep terrain. PARK at the small area off Damascus Church Road between Damascus Baptist Church and Cool Springs Road (State Route S-37-797). Walk around the gate and enjoy approx. 1.4 miles of easy hiking on a wide old road that passes two open grassy fields along the way. The grade varies, but typically stays within a 5% differential. However, once the trail enters into the woods and narrows, it becomes steeper. You will reach a point where the trail forks right or left. RIGHT is to Sid's Falls and LEFT is to Maxie Duke Falls. Here is where either trail gets noticeable difficult as the grade to Sid's can exceed -34% (according to AllTrails). You will absolutely need both hands and a lower center of gravity to remain balanced, but the payoff is fantastic! Sid's is a beautiful 50+ foot natural wonder. NOTES: Plan on getting your feet wet to attain the best vantage for photos. I walked all the way to the base through the water and did not find the stone ledges to be particularly slippery. Still, proceed with caution and know your own ability. See pics to determine the water level during my hike. [ FINAL THOUGHTS ] When returning, you could also continue your adventure and follow the trial left of the split to Maxie Duke Falls. But again, BE FOREWARNED the trail to Maxie Duke is even steeper than to Sid's and may require the assistance of a preinstalled rope for most of the descent. Here you will also need to wet cross the creek to the right side of the falls in order to achieve the best view. It took us about 2 hours 20 minutes to hike from parking to both falls and back, which included rests and about 25 minutes of picture taking. ~ Round trip length to both: 3.3 miles ~ Elevation Gain: UNKNOWN (but probably 600+ feet) Overall a wonderful hike that will fool you into thinking it's easy for its majority... But this sweet thang goes GUANO LOCO on you the final 500 feet and leave you contemplating the foolishness of your life choices! LOL NOT RECOMMENDED for young children, dogs, anyone with balance issues or solo hikers because it is not a popular trail and injuring yourself would make the return ascent very difficult. 2022 / 72

Overall great hike. A few steep sections but nothing too crazy. Beautiful scenery the whole way…read more Would recommend for anyone looking for a solid outdoor experience.

My partner and I recently visited Clarksville for a spontaneous hiking trip. Panther Creek Trail…read morewas at the very top of our list and we were not disappointed. At first we were worried that the trail would be closed due to the storm damage that occurred during the prior year but we drove by and there were multiple parties going in and out of the trail so we figured we would go for it! This trail is long and arduous, so be prepared! Us Floridians definitely overestimated our hiking abilities but we still got it done (thankfully). Bring around 2L per person or more if it's a hot day. We started on a Friday around 2pm and finished by 6:30pm and clocked in a total of 8 miles round trip. If you can go earlier, I highly recommend doing so to have plenty of light. There's two main parts of the trail where the bridges were damaged and removed. In one section, there's several logs that lay across the stream. Find a big stick, and scramble across. In the second section, the water is shallow enough to walk across without the possibility of getting your legs wet. But even if you get wet, both sections are not deeper than your ankle. I don't know if I'd recommend this for children as there are multiple sudden drop offs but more power to you if your family can do this! If you are a hiker, this does not disappoint!