Welcome to JOYFUL REFLECTIONS. Also welcome to MARCH!!!! My header picture this month is a photo I took of the pretty Crocus blooms in our yard... The Crocuses and Daffodils are the first signs of spring here in Tennessee. I am definitely ready for SPRING...

Monday, March 26, 2012

Horsetrough Falls, Georgia

Us at Horsetrough Falls
As most of you know,  George and I took three trips in a month (one to North Georgia,  one to Arkansas, and  one to West Virginia).   Today's post is another one from our Valentine's visit to North Georgia.  Please take a peak back at this post (click HERE) --to see what we experienced that day while searching for Horsetrough Falls.

This area is near Helen, Georgia (White County) and Unicoi State Park.  We began traveling on Forest Rd. 44 (called the Chattahoochee River Road)  at an elevation of 3100 feet in the snow... We drove down that forest service  road for almost 5 miles ---DEEP into the mountains.

We drove and drove and drove (it seemed--since we had to drive slowly on that bumpy and steep mountain road) and finally came to the Upper Chattahoochee River Campground.  We parked there and took a nice little hike into the woods (about a mile one way).  Since the campground was closed,  we had to park outside the campground and walk across the Henson Creek to the other end of  the campground in order to get to the trailhead.

There was NOBODY around that cold, wet, foggy, snowy day in Georgia---so we had the entire area ALL to ourselves... (That's what we love!!!!) ..... And since you know how much we LOVE waterfalls,  you can just imagine the joy we had when we finally came to Horsetrough Falls.  What a fabulous area ---and a HUGE waterfall in the woods!!!

Hope you enjoy our pictures... Be sure to enlarge them for bigger pictures.




Here is another picture of Forest Road 44---which we had to travel on, in order to reach Horsetrough Falls...   The snow disappeared and the fog lifted as we traveled down the mountain toward Chattahoochee Gap.  But the road was steep and bumpy!




After reaching the trailhead,  we crossed a footbridge over the Chattahoochee River.




Here is a picture of the Chattahoochee River from the bridge.  Isn't this area just gorgeous?  I love the Rhododendrons.




I took this picture of George at the viewing platform where we saw Horsetrough Falls.




George took a picture of me at the same location.  Wish you could have seen that area.  We felt like that waterfall was there JUST for us!!!! Usually when we find a waterfall deep in the woods like this,  it is not such a LARGE one.  This one was huge!!!!




As we headed out,  I took a picture of George on the little bridge.  This was a gorgeous little hike!!!




Finally,  here is a picture of Horsetrough Falls from the viewing platform.  Depending upon which book I read,  Horsetrough Falls is from 70-100 feet tall.

Hope you enjoyed seeing our pictures of Horsetrough Falls...   We have found out (since we got home) that there was another waterfall not far from Horsetrough Falls.  SO--we'll go back to that area sometime...

We recently purchased two new waterfall books:
"Waterfall Hikes of North Georgia" by Jim Parham
"Waterfall Hikes of Upstate South Carolina" by Thomas E. King
I don't know how many waterfall books we have --but I'll admit that we do have quite a few!!!!!  The books help so much in trying to find information,  directions,  etc. when searching for waterfalls.   Without these books, we would never have been able to find all of the back-woods areas we have seen.    As I say alot,  SO MUCH JOY.

Hugs,
Betsy

68 comments:

Ms. A said...

The name doesn't do it justice, it's much more attractive than any horse trough I've seen!

Anonymous said...

Good morning Betsy, I always love seeing your photos, and I can almost smell the trees and forest there. Beautiful waterfall.
Interesting books you've got there, enjoy them. Have a lovely day!
It's beautiful and sunny here in Dublin today [yeyyy].

Eva

Rose ~ from Oz said...

Just lovely Betsy, we are all so lucky to be able to join you on these hikes and the wonderful finds you come across. I could almost hear the sounds with a hint of the damp forest smells. Fabulous, thank you!!

Sharon said...

Gorgeous waterfall Betsy! And shame on me - this is one I'd never even heard of and I LIVED in north Georgia for over a year!

Looks like an amazing week for us here in the Volunteer State! Wildflowers, here I come and go LADY VOLS!!

Ann said...

It is gorgeous there. Two new waterfall books huh? Does that mean you'll be heading out in search of some new falls to share with us?

A Brit in Tennessee said...

Tucked away in it's own little enchanted forrest, so silent and breathtakingly beautiful.
What a wonderful trip you both took.
I think in another life you were most definately pioneers :)
Hugs,
~Jo

Ruth Hiebert said...

Beautiful. I love the waterfall,but I do believe that my favourite picture is the mountain road in the fog.Fog creates a beauty all its own.

Catherine said...

Looks like the two of you were putting some more miles on your car! Good for you two!! And it appears you had another terrific weekend.

Happy Monday Betsy!
xo Catherine

MadSnapper said...

i like the photos with the bright blue rain gear people in them the best of all. that first shot is awesome. like the fog shot to

Tabor said...

How fortunate you were to come across those two models to pose in that first shot!

linda m said...

I think the forest road in the fog is my favorite!

Chatty Crone said...

Horsetrough Falls was beautiful - I live in Georgia and I didn't even know it existed. Very pretty. I know you and George had a great time - I hate that it was so damp and rainy for you. Nice. sandie

Anonymous said...

Well no wonder Mrs. P. has so many miles on her, the three of you are having too much fun exploring all these beautiful waterfalls! Have a great week. :)

Marcia said...

With all those rhododendrens you'll have to go back when they're in bloom. It would be gorgeous I'm sure.

diane b said...

Your joy oozes through your photos and text. It is so uplifting to see yo guys having so much fun but it looks awfully cccccold to me.

Arkansas Patti said...

I was wondering how you managed to find all these waterfalls. You an George could publish your own book.
I have been thinking about you with all this rain. It should make the waterfalls spectacular.

I Am Woody said...

I do SO enjoy your adventures!

Shug said...

good morning Betsy..

I certainly have enjoyed your waterfalls today. as always, great pictures! Isn't it awesome to have the resources to find all these beautiful places. This is what I call nature at it's best.
Have fun today!
Shug

Thoughtfully Blended Hearts said...

Soooo beautiful Betsy...I know you'll be going back for that other waterfall!!! Love the shot of the foggy road...Have a beautiful week!!!

Linda at To Behold The Beauty said...

Another very pretty waterfall. I'll say this for you and George...you're persistent. I'm not sure Doug and I would have pushed on in the weather and road conditions you were facing.

Sylvia K said...

Such a gorgeous waterfall!! I love the name!!! Your captures are the next best thing to being there! I'm a great lover of waterfalls, too, and I always look forward to your posts and photos! Hope you have a great week, Betsy!

Sylvia

Anonymous said...

Very pretty photos, Betsy. Don't you know it will be lovely when the mountain laurel blooms?

TexWisGirl said...

really beautiful - especially when you have it all to yourselves. :)

Glenda said...

The area around Helen, GA, is so beautiful we've learned in the last few years. Looks like you had a wonderful time in that quiet, untouched woods!

Out on the prairie said...

The fog can be fun to play in,you have the right clothes for it

happyone said...

Your foggy road picture and the footbridge remind me of my morning walks.
Great photos.

LV said...

You two are braver then me. I could not stand all the cold, damp weather. You both were born to hike and climb.

Ginny Hartzler said...

I love the picture of you and George together! It is quite an imposing fall! Wonder how this place got it's name, maybe there were a lot of horse troughs around...

Cheryl @ TFD said...

This is a beautiful waterfall and well worth the effort to get to it. I think you and George are a brave pair negotiating those narrow roads in the foggy and rainy weather deep in the mountains!
Have a great day!

Brenda said...

Oh, Betsy, you and George make such an awesome couple. Your trip is just simply GORGEOUS!! The ride, the hike, the scenery is so fantastic and serene...I am envious!!
What you referred to as Rhododendron; is that the same as Mountain Laurel. They actually look the same.
I can't wait to hear about your other trips!!
HUGS,
Brenda

Carletta said...

Beautiful images even on a cold and damp day!
Oh to be there when all those Rhododedrons were in bloom - wouldn't that be gorgeous!

Diane AZ said...

Hi Betsy, It looks like you and George had a wonderful time at Horsetrough Falls. I like the picture of you two in your matching blue rain jackets.

Unknown said...

Lovely ! Lucky you! Looks like a great time Joann

joy said...

really nice views:)

Karin said...

Thanks for taking me along on this interesting trip into the back country! It's amazing that you don't get lost during all these fabulous adventures! I LOVE that foggy road! Those photos of the both of you are lovely!

Anonymous said...

Very pretty pictures. And you guys make a great couple of subjects in the woods.

Tammie Lee said...

i love how you two enjoy your time together so well. wonderful to see your smiling faces and the places you have explored.

Connie said...

I don't know how you find your way wandering all those back roads, Betsy. I think I would get lost! Beautiful waterfall and pictures. Looks like it was a cold day! :)

A Colorful World said...

Oh, Betsy that is one beautiful (and BIG) Falls! And the pictures of the two of you are just so marvelous! I know how peaceful and beautiful the hike must have been and then to be rewarded by those gorgeous Falls! Great trip, and great post!

carolina nana said...

Nice falls I can't believe it snowed in Georgia !!!
You and George make a really nice looking couple !!
Blessings
marilyn

Donna said...

What a beautiful spot! Glad you got to enjoy it all to yourselves!

Lynn said...

Wonderful find out deep in the woods. Yes, that falls does appear to be quite large, very wide! Glad you had such a great time, each time. Blessings.

Rohrerbot said...

I love that you love waterfalls Betsy:) They are gorgeous. What's really incredible about your trip are the misty shots inside the woods. I can feel the temps and moisture against my skin. We don't get fog often around here:) Love the first shot of you and George together. Great pic. We have a couple waterfalls here but not like the ones in your part of the world. Take care. Chris:)

thefisherlady said...

all those new leaves are spectacular... where is the snow :)

Faye said...

Your "photo journal" proves that there's no such thing as bad weather when you're seaching out nature's beauty--only different. Looks like you and George lucked out to have the place to yourselves on this day. Especially appreciated the river photos--very springlike, even for February. Happy trails!

Ann, Chen Jie Xue 陈洁雪 said...

Since the campground was closed: you didn't try to sleep in the car?

I wrote a long comment about sleeping in the car, but I lost it. Shall leave it for another occasion, in case I lost it again.

Amy Burzese said...

Hi, Betsy. My husband is from Chattanooga and we live in north Alabama. Beautiful photos.

Betty Manousos said...

hi betsy,

thanks for taking us along on your beautiful hikes.

such amazing waterfalls, and the views are also marvelous!
the foggy road photo
i love the pictures of you too.

great trip and great post!

big hugs!

Betty Manousos said...

oops, i meant to say that i also love your foggy road picture.

Anonymous said...

What amazing falls!

Photo Cache said...

everything looks so picturesque right now, although i cannot help but wonder how gorgeous the river view would be when all the rhododendrons would be in bloom.

i think i have found a way to remove the nasty word verification on my blog.

Beatriz said...

Just beautiful places, as usual!
I hope you continue to travel as much as you can to show us all those beauties!!!
Hugs and kisses
Bia
www.biaviagemambiental.blogspot.com

Anonymous said...

Hi Betsy, Gorgeous area. I have only been to Georgia once and that was in the North near the border at Chattanooga. Have a wonderful day!

joy said...

Thanks for dropping by in my blog today. You asked me to remove the word verification, but really I don't know how. How do I do it? Thanks:)

Dr. Kathy McCoy said...

I love your pictures and the stories of your hiking adventures, Betsy! Your stamina in the cold weather is impressive -- and the rewards for you -- and us when we look at your pictures -- so great!

Brenda Kay Ledford said...

Horsetrough Falls is magnificent. I felt as though I was taking the hide into the forest with you. Wonderful photos. I loved this posting.

joy said...

Hi Again Betsy:) My email add is: syrin@tele2.no

Thank you so much and i hope I can follow the instructions:)

Mhie Lee said...

That's a great photos.. Are you in Tennessee, I live in Tennessee too. I like your blog. I bookmarked to visit you often.

Linda said...

Amazing waterfall. It is a true joy to have found your blog.

Big Dude said...

Nice place Betsy and when you post, I often go find it on Google Earth. There is a shot of the falls very similar to yours - many people post shots there and many of yours would be great

Neal said...

Very nice. I assume those are your new raincoats. Have they worked well?

Rose said...

That sure is a nice shot of you and George...and I love that second shot.

Pat @ Mille Fiori Favoriti said...

It's wonderful to see all your joyful photos, Betsy! Horsetrough Falls are beauitful!

joy said...

Got your email and did what you instruct me. hope it works now and thanks. By the way I tagged you. Details in my post today, same title. Hope you find time to join me:) I got tagged too:)

SquirrelQueen said...

I love the foggy trail disappearing into the mist. I have been all over that area and I don't remember this falls. You and George seem to find the most well hidden water falls, and the best ones.

Busy Bee Suz said...

I think you both should write a waterfall book too!!!!
Lovely wet photo Betsy. :)

Janie said...

Pretty photos of the falls, and that's a great pic of you and George.
I assume Mischief will find a nice place to take a drink at the bottom of the falls.

Pat Tillett said...

AWESOME! What a beautiful place!