The trail to High Shoals Falls is located in rugged back country near Helen, Georgia. You can find this area and the falls located on this trail on the Web. I have been wanting to hike in this area for some time but it is difficult though some guides say moderately difficult. Keep in mind this 1.2 mile trail winds its way through dense forest and down steep grades.

The lighting changes dramatically from warm to cool and was hard to photograph because suddenly I was in low light situations. We have just barely gotten started and Cocoa’s tongue was already hanging out.

After about a mile, you come to a shoals area where Appalachian Trail hikers camp. We saw a small “village” of guys getting ready to cook dinner.

Of course, Chip went for a swim. Every mountain stream is his friend!

Cocoa looks like she is only posed for the camera because I pleaded with her. She wanted to keep moving, which was distressing to me. My legs were not conditioned for this type of hike.

Finally, we made it to the first of two falls. This one is named Blue Hole which seems to fit because it looked blue in low light.

This photo does not do this falls justice. It is larger and I’m not proud of the shot except to say, “I made it to the bottom and then I was able to hike back out.” The area is friendly and seems pretty safe but I never hike anywhere alone—usually in a group. We passed AT hikers, families, and single day hikers on our way to the falls.

Then there was the forest—so dense with hardwoods. This is the best of the mountains of northeast Georgia.