Cloudland Canyon - Moderate Hike

HIKE STATS:
Meeting Time: 8:00 AM
Meeting Place: Target Hickory Hollow
Estimated Drive Time One Way: 2 hours
Hike Distance: about 7 miles total
Estimated Hike Time: 3 hours plus break time
Difficulty: Moderate
Event Organizer: Kelly Stewart

Join us on the border of Georgia, Alabama, and Tennessee for this lovely day hike at Cloudland Canyon State Park. Located on the western edge of Lookout Mountain, this is one of the most scenic parks in the state, offering rugged geology and beautiful vistas. The park straddles a deep gorge cut into the mountain by Sitton Gulch Creek, and elevation differs from 800 to 1,980 feet.

Meet at the Target in Hickory Hollow and carpool about 2 hours from there. Click here for Google map.

Park address:
122 Cloudland Canyon Park Rd
Rising Fawn, GA 30738
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We will hike the full West Rim Loop and the trail down to the waterfall for a total of approximately 7 miles. If you prefer to just do the waterfall trail and wait for the group then that is fine. Here is a description of the trails:

WEST RIM LOOP TRAIL
4.8 miles. Rated moderate.
The West Rim Loop Trail is one of the most scenic hiking trails in the nation. Beginning at the Daniels Creek Bridge, and climbing out of the canyon onto the plateau, the trail provides magnificent views of Trenton, Georgia, neighboring Sand Mountain, and of Cloudland Canyon itself. Cottages, West Rim, and Walk-In Camping areas are accessible via the West Rim Loop. Passing over varied terrain, most of the hike is moderately difficult, becoming strenuous on several short sections.

WATERFALLS TRAIL
Approximately 1 mile round-trip. Rated moderate.
The Waterfalls Trail begins on a paved section, at the main overlook, and progresses into the canyon on a 40-degree slope. Most of the trail consists of gravel and stair-steps, numbering over 400 in all. Both waterfalls cascade off of sheer faces at 60 and 90 feet, and are among the most beautiful in the state. A strenuous and time-consuming, two-mile hike, swimming and climbing on rocks are strictly forbidden, and regulations are enforced.

Bring water, snacks, lunch, and something to change into after the hike for the ride home. Wear/ bring layers. Please bring $ to share for gas for the carpool. We will return to Nashville around 6-7pm.

Optional dinner after the hike at Crust Pizza in Sewanee, TN:
12569 Sollace M Freeman, Sewanee, TN 37375

Click here for map from Cloudland to Crust.

Signed release form required to participate on this hike. This means you can't sue anyone if you get hurt. If you have a problem with signing this form, then please don't attend. Click here to download and print the form and bring it with you to the event. Let [masked] know if you plan on bringing guests under 18.