Unicoi State Park Smith Creek Trail to Anna Ruby Falls in North GA

[todd150hp]

Just got back from a family vacation at Unicoi State Park near Helen, GA. Lovely place. Only 3.5 hours drive for me. The highlight of the trip for me was Friday morning getting up and heading up the Smith Creek trail from Unicoi State Park Campground to Anna Ruby Falls. The trail head sign stated that the incline average was 10% with a maximum of 30%. Elevation changed from around 1700 ft to 2600 ft. Although the trail appeared well used I did not see another human being. The trail only got what you might call treacherous in one spot where it was necessary to navigate around some rocks with a steep drop off to the right.

It took me 1 hour 45 minutes to reach the falls which were well worth the journey. Of course you can drive to a parking lot then take a .4 mile paved path to the falls but where is the adventure in that?

About 3.5 miles into the hike I came around a hillside to a stream crossing and there about 40 yards in front of me were 2 large black bears. Actually I did not see them immediately. One heard or saw me and started moving up the hill then stopped and turned around to look at me. I heard the commotion then froze. While I was watching and waiting to see what that bear would do I heard some more commotion moving down the hillside and there was another large black bear. I took a few slow backwards steps but realized these bears looked like they were going to clear the area so I gave them a few minutes to move along then resumed heading towards the falls, all the while informing the bears I was bony and did not taste very good   . I uploaded a few pictures of the bears into the gallery. My wife made fun of me because they looked like the fuzzy inconclusive pictures of bigfoot   . I attempted to brighten them up a bit where you can at least make out that they are a bear. I was all alone on the hiking trip since my family decided to sleep in that morning and then just drive up to the falls to meet me. Anyway the photos of the alleged bear encounter are at the end of the post.

While we were up there we also tagged the GA high point at BrassTown Bald. There is a very steep paved .5 mile path up to the observation tower from a parking lot near the top much like what Clingman's dome has. It was very beautiful and not nearly as crowded as Clingman's dome. We were only up there for 3 full days and 4 nights so I did not have time to hike the full length trail to the top. I suppose I'll have to save that for another trip. The family was with me and my idea of fun is not always shared by everyone. Had to waste alot of time letting the kids do all the touristy things in Helen, GA. Tubed town the Chattahootchie about 4 times (2 hours per tube trip) which was kind of nice since it was so hot and the water was so cool.

Unicoi State Park Smith Creek Trail to Anna Ruby Falls in North GA

Unicoi State Park Smith Creek Trail to Anna Ruby Falls in North GA

Unicoi State Park Smith Creek Trail to Anna Ruby Falls in North GA

[Uncle Wayne]

That's a nice hike and a beautiful part of Georgia.  I guess the falls were nice.  When we were there it was during a drought and not much water.  I've never climbed to Brass town Bald but have seen it I believe from the AT.  Good report and good job with the bears.

[todd150hp]

Thanks for the comments. BTW I like the Ed Abbey quote in your signature. I honestly had never heard of him. I looked him up. Seems like an interesting fellow. Looks like I have some reading to do. Unfortunately the Library here doesn't have any of his novels. Just one book that appears to be a collection of his letters. So far my favorite quote of his is:

"Do not jump into your automobile next June and rush out to the Canyon country hoping to see some of that which I have attempted to evoke in these pages. In the first place you can't see anything from a car; you've got to get out of the gded contraption and walk, better yet crawl, on hands and knees, over the sandstone and through the...cactus. When traces of blood begin to mark your trail you'll see something, maybe."

I have often replied with a statement to that effect whenever someone asks me how I find places that they have never heard of. Of course when I say it, it does not have the same ring to it.

[WolfVanZandt]

Raven cliff Falls is in the area and that's a really nice hhike to a really unusual fall, so the next time, you might want to look it up.

[todd150hp]

Thanks, I'll check it out. I also learned while researching GA state parks that Amicalola falls is having some sort of survival skills seminar August 29th.  Not much info about it on their website just the date. I made reservations for a campsite there the nights of Aug 28 and 29 so I can check it out.

[Nalgene Ninja]

Cool, I hope this guy shows up.
http://www.freewebs.com/survivorstud/

[todd150hp]

um, yeah if the they start telling me that in order to survive in the desert I need to zip myself up in a dead camel carcass then I'll probably just go check out.

[WolfVanZandt]

Hey, just think what a cool tale that would be for your kids and grandkids!