This morning we got an early start (10 am, early for us) on the Russell-Brasstown Scenic Byway, a 40 mile mountainous loop that passes numerous waterfalls, climbing to Brasstown Bald, the state's highest point. The route began just outside of Helen and the first two "highlights" are at 5.8 and 7.3 miles from the start of the Byway. First was Dukes Creek Falls. The trail to the Falls is 1 mile in length and winds its way into Dukes Creek Gorge and deadends across from the 300-foot Dukes Creek Falls. Dropping 250 feet down a steep granite canyon, Dukes Creek Falls is a spectacular sight. It was a beautiful morning hike.
Dukes Creek Falls from the observation platform.
The full left-hand side of the falls.
Some little critter evidently liked the wood in the observation platform railing. Looks like big teeth.
Another 2 1/2 miles down the road is Raven Cliff Falls. It is one of the most unusual falls as the water flows through a split in the face of a rock outcropping to the ground 100 feet below. It is actually a series of three splendid waterfalls. The middle section is the one that flows through a split in a solid rock outcropping. The trail to Raven Cliff Falls was a bit more challenging then Dukes Creek Falls and is nearly 6 miles, but other waterfalls are on the creek trail with the largest dropping 70 feet.
One of the falls along the trail to Raven Cliff Falls.
Another waterfall along the way.
There were numerous little tributaries that we had to cross.
Difficult to get a good picture of Raven Cliff. You can see the mid section and a bit of the upper falls.
This is the mid section and the lower section.
We started the hike to Raven Cliff Falls at 1 pm and returned to the car at 3 pm. When we got back we judged that we didn't have enough time to complete the scenic drive so we returned to Helen for a visit to the Helen Public Library. The purpose of our visit was to try to get a better internet connection.
We were successful at the Library and what follows are the pictures and description that I tried to publish last night.
Lovely part of our hike up to Anna Ruby Falls on Wednesday.
On the hike up to Anna Ruby Falls there were two signs - one warning of rattlesnakes and the other telling us that copper head snakes inhabit the area. All we saw was this harmless little garter snake about 10 inches long and 1/2 inch around.
Lower cascade of Anna Ruby Falls.
Frederick on the trail.
Frederick and friend at the Visitor Center where we met Parker.
Now let me tell you a little bit about Helen. It is in the northeast part of Georgia at the end of the Appalachian Mountains and on the edge of the rugged Chattahoochee National Forest. This region was once a thriving hub of Cherokee Indian life, then part of North Georgia's brief gold-mining boom of the 1820's and '30s, and finally a lumber stronghold in the early 20th century in its days as a major sawmill operation. Once the area's timber supply was exhausted, Helen devolved into a virtual ghost town -- until local business owners hatched a plan to reinvent the community in the image of a Bavarian village. Cobblestone lanes were installed, and buildings were decked with gingerbread trim and painted with murals depicting German scenes. And so Alpine Helen, named long ago
after a railroad surveyor's daughter, was reborn in 1969.
Even the Helen Public Library gets a dash of Bavaria.
The grocery store, which we passed by the first time because we didn't recognize it as such.
Downtown Alpine Helen.
The Heidi Hotel that can't decide if it wants to be Bavarian or Dutch.
Hofbrauhaus.
This post is brought to you courtesy of the Alpine Helen Public Library and their internet access!
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