The Parks Address: 1699 Richard Russell Hwy, Helen GA
Phone: Information Center 706 754-6221
The name of this trail is? Answer is Dukes Creek Falls Trail
What Kind of trail is this? A wooded nature trail with gravel or boardwalk leading to viewing platform overlooking the falls.
The Parks Amenities: Parking, Toilets, Picnic tables, panoramic views of Mount Yonah, viewing/photo platforms at the falls, and an Interactive Visitor map.
The Parks web page says: The Dukes Creek Trail hikes a moderate 2 miles out and back through a beautiful, mountain stream-filled forest in Georgia just north of Helen. The trail descends alongside a shallow, mossy stream, hiking to several large, cascading waterfalls that tumble at the convergence of Davis Creek and Dukes Creek. At the falls, several large wooden viewing platforms offer stunning views of the main attraction overhead: the exceptionally dramatic, multi-tiered, 150-foot-tall drop of Dukes Creek Falls.
Dukes Creek Falls is conveniently located on the Russell-Brasstown National Scenic Highway. The area offers a moderate hiking trail and exceptional scenery with panoramic views to the distinguished Mount Yonah.
Day Hiking
Dukes Creek Foot Trail - The trailhead for this 1.25-mile trail is at the parking lot providing visitors to a scenic hike down to the observation deck overlooking Dukes Creek and the waterfalls. The round trip is 2.5 miles. Plan about an hour to hike down, enjoy the scenery, and hike back.
This parks rating is 7 1/2 stars out of 10
The good, the bad, and the buggy, a short review of the park.
The good things about this park is that the hike is about as long as I prefer, not too long or short. Also The overlook from the parking area is truly beautiful and the falls do not disappoint.
The bad thing about this park, well the only bad thing about this park is that the bathrooms are not the flushing kind. Also they have chimneys to take the smells away but you need to put the lid down when you are finished or instead of going out through the chimney it goes into the bathroom and it stinks so bad it about makes you sick. There is no sign on the door telling anyone this so it just stinks!!
The buggy I’m a bug’s favorite chew toy so how much did they love me? I used bug spray and was fine.
What Kind of Park is this? This is a national forest
1. The Parks views: A beautiful panoramic view from the parking area and wonderful views of dukes creek fall.
2. The Parks cost: $5.00 per car for parking.
3. The Parks bathrooms: Answer is See "the bad" above
4. How long is the hike? 1.25 miles each way
5. The parks shopping and souvenirs: None
6. Does the park have wheelchair and stroller access? Answer is The trail head at the parking lot has a great view and the first part of the trail is a wide gravel road so up to that point yes, but the boardwalk has some stairs so not really.
7. How helpful are the parks maps and markers? Answer is I didn't use the interactive map on my phone and the trail doesn't have any maps or markers but the trail is so easy to follow that they aren't needed.
8. Is the park kid and dog friendly? Yes, but keep the water and some stairs in mind.
9. Was there a uniqueness to the park? Answer is It had great mountain view at the top and along the way and beautiful falls at the bottom so yes.
10. Was it worthwhile? A Yes I'd defiantly recommend it to my friends or anyone.
Bonus Questions
11. Was the trail shaded or in the sun? Mostly shaded
12. Was there tent, cabin and RV camping? Answer is I didn't see anyone camping and camping was not listed on the web site as something the park offered.
13. Places nearby to eat? In Helen
14. Was there a gas station nearby? In Helen
15. How safe was the park? As safe as any natural trail can be.
16. Is the park maintained well? Yes
17. Is there good internet service? A No
18. What would I have brought or left behind if I hiked this trail again?
Nothing extra is needed for this trail. Just comfortable shoes and go. You can even wear sandals and not risk stubbing your toe. Also bring something to take pictures with!
19. How far is this from Atlanta? About a two hour drive.
20. Spirit Animal for the park?
The trails spirit animal is selected by any animal I see at the park or on my way to the park. I find that looking for the day’s spirit animal makes my hike more fun and reminds me to stop and enjoy the beauty of my journey. Today’s spirit animal is: Caterpillar. This one was really fuzzy and seemed to have intenia's at both ends so you couldn't tell which way it was going. Mostly it just stayed there on the branch enjoying the day.
Here is my favorite caterpillar poem:
Is a caterpillar ticklish?
Well it's always my belief,
that it giggles as it wiggles,
across a hairy leaf.
Comentários