Rabun Lake Recreation Area: Minnehaha Falls (Blog Hike #262)

Trail: Minnehaha Trail

Hike Location: Chattahoochee National Forest, Rabun Lake Recreation Area

Geographic Location: northwest of Tallulah Falls, GA (34.74972, -83.47953)

Length: 0.4 miles

Difficulty: 4/10 (Easy/Moderate)

Dates Hiked: April 2009, June 2014

Overview: A short, moderately steep hike to an impressive waterfall.

Area Information: http://www.mountaintravelguide.com/Waterfalls/georgia/rabun/Minnehaha%20Falls.htm
Hike Route Map: https://www.mappedometer.com/?maproute=721951
Photo Highlight:

Directions to the trailhead: From Tallulah Falls, take US 441 north 3 miles to Old US 441.  Turn left, then immediately turn right to head north on Old US 441.  Take Old US 441 north 2.5 miles to Lake Rabun Rd. and turn left on Lake Rabun Rd.  Take narrow, curvy Lake Rabun Rd. 6.6 miles to Low Gap Rd. and turn left on Low Gap Rd.  After crossing the Tallulah River, where paved Low Gap Rd. turns right, angle left onto passable gravel Bear Hollow Rd.  Take Bear Hollow Rd. 1.6 miles to the trailhead.  The trail leaves to the right along a wooden railing; a small gravel parking lot is on the left.

The hike: Located in extreme southern Rabun County, 835-acre Lake Rabun traces a serpentine route through the steep-walled valley of the Tallulah River.  The lake was formed in 1915 with the construction of concrete Mathis Dam.  This dam features a hydroelectric power plant used by Georgia Power to generate electricity during peak hours.

            As you will certainly notice on the drive in, most of the shores of Lake Rabun have been developed with marinas, restaurants, and houses.  Fortunately, a few areas around the lake have been protected by the Chattahoochee National Forest.  Rabun Beach Campground provides some nice campsites and also serves as the trailhead for the Angel Falls Trail, which leads to two waterfalls.  If you hope to visit these falls, you will need to come during the summer or else the campground will be closed, as it was on my visit.  Also protected by national forest is the land around Minnehaha Falls.  The short trail described here allows you to access this area and get a great view of the waterfall from its base.

Trailhead: Minnehaha Trail

            Begin by heading uphill, aided by some wooden steps built into the ground and a wooden railing.  Neon-green rectangular plastic blazes mark the trail, but the trail is wide and very easy to follow.  The trail gradually curves left through a dense understory of rhododendron as Fall Creek becomes audible below you and to the right.

Rhododendron blooming in June

            After a brief flat area, one final climb brings you to the base of the waterfall.  Water splashes from ledge to ledge for 100 feet before quickly regathering and continuing toward Lake Rabun.  When I visited this waterfall just after a rain, the volume of water was high, and the large number of ledges in this waterfall created quite a symphony for the ears.  The trail ends at the falls, so after soaking up the atmosphere and taking several photographs, you will need to retrace your steps back downhill to your car to complete the hike.

Minnehaha Falls