Stonewall Creek Falls is located on the trail known as Stonewall Falls & White Twister Mountain Bike 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 read more