Hemlock Falls – In Praise of Winter Waterfalls

Winter in Georgia is usually one of plentiful rainfall and of course that can make for good waterfalls. Since there are few plants to look at (and they’re not blooming), winter is a great time to hike to see waterfalls. Last Sunday I had the opportunity to visit Hemlock Falls in Clarkesville and the streams and falls were bursting at the seams!

Start of the trail 

There are several waterfalls named Hemlock Falls. This is not the one at Cloudland Canyon State Park. This one is across the road from Moccasin Creek State Park and the Lake Burton Fish Hatchery. It is not part of a state park so there is no parking fee and it’s a relatively short hike from the parking area – just 1.2 miles to the falls.

Moccasin Creek with Rhododendron and Leucothoe

The parking area is small and might be crowded in the spring but only a few people were there on this foggy Sunday morning. Hemlocks frame the parking area and you could hear the gurgling of Moccasin Creek the moment you stepped out of the car. The early path is easy walking with several areas to get close to the creek if you want.  After a while, the vegetation thickens with evergreen shrubs: highland doghobble (Leucothoe fontanesiana) along the creek side, great laurel (Rhododendron maximum), and mountain laurel (Kalmia latifolia). This path will be pretty in May and June when those bloom.

This gusher was right on the path

Small waterfalls burst out along the edge of the trail, sometimes soaking it. In the summer, these may be mere trickles. Sturdy shoes are a good idea both for the mud and the occasional root and rocks. The trail includes a couple of benches and a really nice bridge over the creek before you get to the falls. I particularly liked how someone worked a fallen log into the path. Once you get to the bridge, the path is noticeably trickier so carry a stick or use a friend's helping hand to safely navigate some of it.

The area at the falls is wide and suitable for a good rest and snack. The trail continues beyond in a much smaller fashion to another falls called Moccasin Creek Falls. We continued about .2 of a mile further but then decided to turn around. There is a nice wet cliff with saxifrage in that area, just about even with the top of Hemlock Falls.

Hemlock Falls, bursting with water in winter

There are many waterfalls to visit in Georgia. I think I'm going to have to make a better effort to visit more each winter. Here are a few links to explore, including ones that I have been to. Enjoy!

15 Amazing Waterfalls in North Georgia

DeSoto Falls in Lumpkin County

Raven Cliff Falls in White County

Lula Lake and Falls in Walker County

High Falls in Monroe County