The cache is on High Bluff Loop Trail. This is a multiuse trail, it is open both to mountain biking and hiking. So if you hike it, look out for mountain bikes, if you bike look out for hikers. The park requires you to get a permit to use this trail. I was told the reason for this was not to limit the number of people, but that mountain bike trails are recent addition to Georgia state parks and they want to count the number of mountain bikes so they can prove they are good addition and get more money for developing Mountain bike trails. They require the hikers to get permits just because it is easier to include everyone. You can get a trail map when you get your permit at the Interpretive Center.
Please show the state parks that geocachers are good guests. You should stay on the trail until you are within about 200 feet to the cache.
When you trade, please respect the park rules and don't put any knifes, sharp objects, or food items in it.
The cache is in a fairly obvious spot, we got good reading on our GPS but in case you don't or are worried you will not, the caches not on the steep side of the gorge for more information read the hint.
Also hunters are allowed in this area of the park so during hunting season were orange or at least bright colors.
Information about the Park
There are a lot of things to do in this park.
- There is swimming and fishing in the lake.
- If you are into Whitewater Paddling then come either first 2 April weekends or first 3 November weekends. Permits required.
- There is a 15 mile trail which can be used for Mountain Biking. Permits required again there is no limit they just want to count the number of mountain biker that use the trail.
If you like to walk/hike this is a great park. The trails vary from very easy to very strenuous.
- The easiest trail is a 1.7-mile paved “Rails to Trails”. It is a multiuse trail suitable for wheelchairs, walking or biking.
- Then from the Interpretive Center there is a paved path to an overlook which I think could be done by a powered wheelchair (I would hate to push it up the slight grade)
- For a longer walk there are the rim trails. These have very little climbing in them. The biggest elevation change is if you do both the north and south rim trails, you cross the highway by going down stairs at the bridge, walk under the bridge and back up. There is a great view of the dam from there.
- For a more rustic hike there is the Stoneplace trail with the High Bluff Loop (which is where the cache is). There isn't much elevation change and the slopes are gentle. Again permit require but not to limit the number of people, but watch out for the mountain bikes since the trail is shared.
- For a more strenuous hike, go down the stairs to the new bridge. Note this is 400 steps down and of course 400 steps back up. You can either go back up the side you went down or up the other side of the gorge.
- For the most interesting and most strenuous hike you can hike down a trail to the gorge and then hike up the gorge to the stair case. They allow 100 people a day to do this, so you need to get there early to get the permit. You should take plenty of water, a snack or some kind of power bar, but while tiring it is well worth it.
Pictures
Click on them for Larger Version |
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| When you see this sign continue down to a great overlook |
View of South Rim Trail |
View of bridge in Gorge |
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| Rocks on South Rim |
View of Interpretive Center where the trailhead is |
Search and Rescue officer, if you fall in he will be there first. |