Hike: to Panther Creek Falls

Let's revisit this most spectacular spot.. Also this is a summer swimming hole so we will be going swimming and I'm sure it will be crowded. The drive is 30-45 min from Exit 4 on 985..I have set the carpool from Exit 4 on 984 as I know several people live there.

The popular Panther Creek Trail spans 3.3 miles along a series of beautiful waterfalls on North Georgia’s Panther Creek. This hike’s final destination, Panther Creek Falls, is a series of wide, multi-tiered waterfalls that spill into a serene, deep blue pool of water. over a large rock outcrop. .

Bring lunch, snacks and plenty of water. A towel and change of clothes if you plan to swim. Wear a bathing suit under hiking clothes.

This is a 7 mile hike (really 6.6). We will go at a moderate pace. This is an intermediate hike. This is not a beginner hike. When we get to the falls we will break for lunch sitting upon the rocks. This is an in and out hike. Again, this is NOT trail running. We will be walking at 2.25-2.5 miles/hr. Hiking time 3 hours, 1/2-1 hr at the falls. We will go slow at the iffy areas. Poles are recommended.

Panther Creek Trail is along US 441, 14 miles North of Cornelia. Turn left, following the sign, onto Glen Hardman Road. Immediately take a right onto Old 441; signs for the trailhead are in 1 mile. There is a $4 parking fee in the recreation parking area if the free parking on the side of the road is full.

The car pool location is now I-985 at exit 4. Going north get off at Exit 4, make a left and immediate left to the park and ride. Park close to the entrance of the park and ride. We will be leaving park and ride at 8:30am. Hike will start 9:30am from the trailhead.

Directions: From 85 north and fork left onto I-985. Take this 23.7 miles and it becomes GA-365N. Follow this another 28.9 miles and continue north on GA-15/US-23N/US-441N for an additional 7.3 miles following signs to Clarksville/Clayton. Turn left onto Travis Smith Road and quick right onto Old Historic US441N. Parking is in .8 miles at the Chattahoochee National Forest, 441 Old Historic US441, Clarksville, GA 30523. Look for signs to the Panther Creek Picnic Area and Trail Parking. We cross the street to begin the hike.

GPS Coordinates 34.698950, -83.419967 (N34 41.937 W83 25.198)

Hike is a little earlier than usual because of parking issues. meeting from I-985 exit 4 or 8:30 am at the trailhead so hike will start 09:30 after introductions.

There is a vaulted toilet at the trailhead.

Hiking poles recommended. Lunch a must. Water a must.

For more info call Barbara 678-438-5593

From the website:
Panther Creek Foot Trail is a total of 6.6 miles of moderate hiking, point-to-point. From the (northern-end) Trailhead it's about 3.3 miles to the falls.
The Chattooga River Ranger District has issued a hiker warning for the Panther Creek Trail in Habersham County Georgia. Recent high-water events have caused significant damage to the Panther Creek Trail. Bridges are no longer in place requiring hikers to ford Panther Creek and minor tributaries. Sections of the trail tread washed away and sustainable passage to the falls is no longer possible at this time. In addition, high winds and saturated soils led to a higher number of downed trees impacting hiker safety. We appreciate visitor's cooperation while staff work to make the trail safe and address resource damage in order to open Panther Creek Trail soon to most users.

The trail consists of steep slopes, rocky paths and sometimes requires crossing very narrow and precarious stretches of trail. Please hike with caution and watch your step!
*Do not mistake the high shoals at mile 2.3 for the waterfall--you have another mile to go!*