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North Georgia Hike to the Chattooga River and Dick’s Creek Falls

Join us for a hike to Dick’s Creek Falls and an exploration of nearby historic features by the Chattooga River in the northeastern Georgia Mountains. Former Executive Director of Chattooga Conservancy, Buzz Williams, co-leads this informative as well as beautiful hike along a rich streamside trail to the falls and to the Chattooga River. Buzz Williams shares a wealth of knowledge of the history and decades of first-hand experience in the Chattooga River Watershed, from his days as a whitewater river guide, River Ranger with the US Forest Service, and most recently as protector of this rich and historic corner of North Georgia, and its neighboring parts of North and South Carolina, with the Chattooga Conservancy which he founded in the 1990s.

We’ll walk approximately 1.5 miles round-trip to the falls from Dick’s Creek just before it joins the Chattooga River near a Class-4 rapid. We’ll also explore the little-known remnant of the old Blue Ridge Railroad tunnel that originally went through Wall Mountain. Altogether we’ll likely walk about 2-3 miles.

We’ll learn about both the Cherokee and 19th-century American history of this area, and along the walk we’ll highlight native plants, trees and mountain ecology as well as listen for (and hopefully spot) some of our colorful songbirds now migrating or beginning to nest in the mountains, including species we seldom see in Atlanta.

Bring your lunch, and we’ll find a nice spot to sit and eat along the way. Also, there is a swimming hole above the falls area if anyone wants to cool off.  

Note: this is not the same Dick’s Creek Falls located in central North GA near Suches.

Above photo courtesy: Trailful Outdoor Company (trailful.com)

To register (RSVP) click HERE  – Details and directions sent to registered participants. (Limit 12)

 A donation of $15 or more helps sustain our programs.

More about Buzz Williams and the Chattooga Conservancy

Buzz Williams grew up in the Blue Ridge Mountains of South Carolina. He was head Whitewater River Guide for Nantahala Outdoor Center, holds a B.S. in Forest Management from Clemson University, was River Ranger for the US Forest Service, and founded and is Executive Director Emeritus of Chattooga Conservancy. Among many successful projects, Buzz helped Chattooga River become nationally recognized and designated as a “Wild and Scenic River.” Today Buzz is semi-retired and continues to help educate about the fascinating cultural and natural history of this dynamic part of the Blue Ridge, and to protect and restore the integrity of its natural systems and biodiversity.

Chattooga Conservancy’s mission is:  

“To protect, promote and restore the natural ecological integrity of the Chattooga River watershed ecosystems; to ensure the viability of native species in harmony with the need for a healthy human environment; and, to educate and empower communities to practice good stewardship on public and private lands.” 

see https://chattoogariver.org/