Minnehaha Falls, Lakemont, Georgia

 

“From the waterfall he named her, Minnehaha, Laughing Water.”

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Our family rented a gorgeous home on Lake Rabun, Georgia for a lovely fall weekend. This is a gorgeous area in northeast Georgia with beautiful mountain views surrounding us. On every trip we take to the mountains, we make a point to see the waterfalls in the area. This time we were blessed that we had waterfalls within a mile and a half from where we were staying and one of the best falls in Georgia to boot.

A few brave souls in our group, decided to take the walk to Minnehaha Waterfalls down a curvy gravel road called Bear Gap Road. We had a splendid walk on this road that hugged Lake Rabun’s shoreline. This road was dotted with gorgeous homes that are owned by the elite and wealthy people from Atlanta who make this area their summer playground. Every home had a nice boat house with a boat and some had lovely festive lounging areas on top with splendid views of the lake. On our walk to the waterfalls, we first came up to a small falls which we all oohed and awed over when we saw it. We also passed an interesting warning sign outside of one of the homes. 

                                     

When we arrived, we met up the rest of our group at the base of the trail to the waterfalls. They parked in the small parking area. Then we all walked across the street to the wooden stair case built into the mountain. The railed staircase was the only steep part to the hike to the falls. Besides that, the trail is fairly easy but watch your step with the exposed roots.

The hike is an easy quarter mile trek to get to the falls and the trail is well maintained by the Forrest Service. The hike goes through a beautiful cove that has stately tall trees and is loaded with rhododendrons. How beautiful it must be in the Springtime when they are all in bloom. You start hearing the waterfalls shortly after starting the trail. On the path to the waterfalls, you will spot a mini falls but don’t be fooled. Keep going.

When we made it to the spectacular, towering falls, we were amazed by the majesty and beauty of the falls. Minnehaha Falls stand proudly at 100 feet high and is at least 30 feet wide. The water cascades over the rocky mountain top flowing over the multi-tiered shade ledges ending in a wide clear pool of water. Standing there at the base of the falls you can sense the power of the rushing water near us which was so invigorating. You can not climb, stand, swim, or jump from these waterfalls as many people in the past have been hurt or lost their lives here as the sign posted states.

Josh

Heather and Gail

                                            

Jackson, Kaley, Josh

This is one of the most photographed and picturesque falls in the North Georgia Mountains. It is one of a dozen waterfalls just in Rabun County and is my favorite. The unique name of Minnehaha came from the Dakota Indians and means waterfall. In the movie, “A walk in the woods” starring Robert Redford and Nick Nolte, there is a scene in it where you see a picture of this waterfall behind their desk at the lodge at Amicalola Falls. But  know that this is not the same Minnehaha Falls featured in Henry Wadsworth Longfellow’s poem, “The Song of Hiawatha”. That waterfall is located in Minnesota but since then, many falls and places have used that name.

A memorial to someone who passed away at the falls.

A beautiful tree covered with moss.

 

If you are a Bigfoot fan, there is a tale of an Atlanta police officer that walked out to the falls just prior to sunset back in May 1998.   He was there late and stayed till it was dark to finish his sandwich when he noticed no one else was around. That is when he caught the whiff of a foul odor. As he got up to hike out, when he noticed a squatting figure to the right of the falls. He called to it thinking it was another hiker.  The figure stood up and was about 9 to 10 feet tall.  He turned on his flashlight but the figure turned away taking extremely long strides walking on two legs.  It stopped after going about 60 feet and took about five or six steps towards him scaring him enough to take out his service revolver.  It stopped, turned, and took off but the smell lingered. Did he see Bigfoot?  Could have.  So believe it or not but Bigfoot may have visited the Georgia Mountains and visited Minnehaha Waterfalls. 

This is a beautiful place to visit where you can get outside and enjoy nature at its finest. We loved this spectacular falls and the peaceful, quiet setting and highly recommend it. We will definitely come back and encourage you to get out and go see it. It is worth the trip.

Till next time. Bye for now.