Cheaha question

[sunshine]

Does anyone know of a good place to go chill out in the water near Mt. Cheaha???  I know there is a lake there, but it can get pretty crowded. We'd like to find a creek or somewhere to plop our butts in to beat the heat.  Thanks

[Joshua Szulecki]

All the spots suitable for taking a dip that I know of are either crowded, too dangerous, too gross, or private property.

[weathermansam]

The upper section of High Falls on the Odum Scout Trail is the only one that comes to mind as not be crowded.

[Joshua Szulecki]

The upper section of High Falls on the Odum Scout Trail is the only one that comes to mind as not be crowded.

Depends on when you go. I've seen a whole vanload of people in the falls, and others have noted that it is frequently naked swimming day, and the swimmers are not the attractive sort.

I personally don't recommend swimming under or near smaller waterfalls. All those talus rocks at the base got there somehow, and I wouldn't want to get smacked on the head with one. Large waterfalls present a serious drowning risk.

[jaybird]

Try Devil's Den Falls just upstream from the Lake Chinnabee Recreation Area on Cheaha Creek.  It can get crowded with locals, but the $3.00 per car fee has kept the crowds down as of late.  There is about a 1/4 mile walk in via the Chinnabee Silent Trail to get to the falls.  You can safely jump from the falls into a gigantic pool below.

[WolfVanZandt]

Actually, Cheaha Falls was a favorite for the Howlers. It has a nice, big splash pool and the fall's not high enough to be dropping big rocks on your head.

[sunshine]

Great!  Thanks for the suggestions.  Will probably check out Devil's Den Falls and High Falls too.  They both look like a refreshing break from the summer heat- especially when camping out 

[weathermansam]

Naked swimming at high falls?  I'll have to remember to just hike there in winter/early spring....

[dogwood]

I took a group of boys from church backpacking, back in the early 90's, and our trip ended at High Falls.  It was a warm day, and they all decided to strip to their underwear and swim.  I warned them that this was a public area, and, sure enough, a family came hiking down the trail a little while later.  All ten of the guys tried to hide behind a big boulder, and the family got a big kick out of it!  So, be careful if you swim in the buff there!