Panther Creek Falls

On March 31st we took off in search of Panther Creek Falls the second leg of a journey to hike to ten North Georgia Waterfalls.  Recently completed Ravens Cliff Falls and Panther Creek was next on the list.  Great hike on a perfect spring day 72 degrees and sunny.  For the most part this hike is easy to moderate but as you approach the falls the trail becomes a little gnarly especially if it is wet.  It is well worth the climb down to the bottom of the falls where you will find a great camping location, nice pool to swim or fish and a beautiful view of the falls.

This bridge crosses Panther Creek is about 1.5 miles into the hike.  The first leg of the hike takes you up a ridge and than finally down to the creek bed.

Between the first foot bridge and the falls there are numerous spots that seem to be outstanding hideouts for trout.  Panther Creek is heavily stock with Rainbow Trout and easy to fish once you get past the first bridge.

The creek above the falls is fast and furious

Who's this guy

Panther Creek Falls (unfortunately the cheap ass camera I brought with me makes the falls look much flatter than it actually is.  My guess is the falls is 25 to 30 feet high

Beautiful Butterfly flitting around at the bottom of the falls.

 Next up the hiking to the falls list is High Shoal Falls and Blue Hole Falls off the Appalachian Trail.  Until next time, happy hiking.

Ravens Cliff Falls

The hike to Ravens Cliff Falls is Easy to Moderate depending on your level of conditioning.  It is about 2.5 miles to the Cliffs and the turnaround for the hike.  There is an option to climb to the the top of the 400 foot Granite outcropping, I chose to skip that part as there didn't seem to be any better view from the top.  The hike follows Dodd Creek all the way to the Ravens Cliff Falls.  As in most of the North Georgia mountains the trail and creek are lined with rhododendrons as displayed in the photo below. 

This Falls is about a mile into the hike and looks to be an amazing spot to catch a large brown or rainbow trout.  A Series of pools beneath the falls is deep and a great spot for hungry trout to be waiting. 

 A view from the top of the falls in the previous photo.  During the hike you will pass many falls along the way some of which are 60-70 feet high but very hard to get a good view from the bottom.  The more adventurous (and climber) you are the greater opportunity to see or photograph some of these hidden gems.

 This is the bottom view of the Ravens Cliff Falls that wind down from 400 feet above.  To see the actual falls in the Cliff of Granite you have to climb up the north side of the creek about 50 feet and the falls is then exposed through a crack in the Granite.

This is the view of the falls inside the Granite outcropping.  The photo does not do it justice as it is about 50 feet high in this view and the water is gushing down through the granite at a very rapid pace.

Up next will be a hike to Panther Creek Falls, stay tuned.

Sawnee Mountain Preserve

Went hiking yesterday on the Indian Seats Trail.  Easy hike up Sawnee Mountain to the Indian Seats.  The top provides for great views and on a clear day you can see all the way to the foot hills of the Appalachian Chain.  A sacred site for the Cherokee Indians

View from the Indian Seats at the top of Sawnee Mountain, check the snow out in the bottom left of this photo.

 View looking North toward the Blue Ridge Mountains.

Entrepreneurs attempted Gold Mining in the 1800's but could never make a go of it.  The cost of mining the gold was greater than the value of the Gold.

As Yogi Berra used to say, when you come to a fork in the road, take it.

I am setting a goal this year to hike to the 10 most picturesque Water Falls in North Georgia.  The vast majority also double as great trout streams so my purpose is well focused.  Hopefully I'll be able to get in some great hikes and catch some wild trout and have a feast for dinner or lunch.

Next hike and photos will be coming from Raven Cliff Falls.  The falls spills over a 400 foot cliff, so stay tuned in for some (hopefully) great photos

South Dakota Pheasants

A little late in posting this trip but better late then never.  Last month went hunting with friends to Krull Lodge in Harrold, SD.  After a day of limiting out I had a chance to go photograph Pheasants in the wild. These birds are majestic and have a coloration that is the best in the Bird Kingdom.

Not a Care in the World

Check that foot out.

Shot of the Week

Three Guy's Sneaking Away

Eagles of Lac Seul

On a recent fishing trip to Silver Water Wheel Lodge on Lac Seul I was lucky to get some close up photos of the majestic Bald Eagle.

Coming in for a landing

Almost there

Got it (buzz off Seagull)

Walleye Skeletons better than nothing

Don't mess with my lunch

Glide path three feet off the beach

Monument Valley

Last Month I had a wonderful trip to Arizona Golf with good friends and took a little side trip to Sedona, Flagstaff and Monument Valley.  Unfortunately there was a haze over the valley and long panoramic shots did not come out well so most of these are near shots to limit the haze.

Sentry

Three Sisters

Wild Mustang

Carolina Anole

Carolina Anole

Yesterday I took this photo of a Carolina Anole on our deck.  He's a member of the Chameleon family and is currently courting his spring mate by puffing his ruby throat.  This photo was taken with a D600 Nikon, ISO 200, 300mm, F/5.6, 1/800 sec,.