Panther Creek Falls

Saturday morning, we had one last breakfast at Hofer’s and then finished packing our stuff up. After checking out of the hotel, we started making our way home, but not before stopping for one more waterfall hike. Near Clarkesville, we stopped at the Panther Creek Recreation Area of Chattahoochee National Forest. Although the sky was cloudy, there was little rain. From the parking area, we crossed the street and then went under the bridge on US-441, following the creek downstream. In about a mile, there was a split in the trail, and we followed the blue-blazed trail that stays closer to the creek and headed down to see the First Waterfall on Panther Creek.

After a couple pictures, we finished up the blue-blazed trail and connected back with the main Panther Creek Trail a quarter-mile or so from the split. This first part of the hike was rather steep and narrow and required some climbing over wet and slippery rocks. Afterwards, however, it started to level off, following the creek more closely on a wider path. In about another mile, we came to the Second Waterfall on Panther Creek, a series of shoals and cascades.

Although not terribly high, these falls were very powerful and we found a couple different spots to get pictures from. It was another mile to the main falls and the trail started getting more narrow, steep, and rocky as we progressed. At points, there was fencing on the side of the trail to prevent a fall into the creek. Of course as the trail started getting more difficult, it started to rain, making this hike even more difficult. At one point as we neared Panther Creek Falls, we found shelter under rock outcrop from the rain, hoping to wait it out. But the rain didn’t seem to be lightening up, so we continued on. The very last part of the trail was the most difficult, especially in the rain. This part involved climbing over, under, and around slick rocks to get down to a good viewing place at the base of the falls. Although there was some fencing to help prevent a fall, this was particularly treacherous in the rain. Surprisingly, we actually saw some trail runners at this point and backpackers climbing back up with all their gear. If they can do this running or carrying a backpack, surely we can do it hiking, I thought to myself. Finally, we reached a clearing at the base of the waterfall. Panther Creek Falls is nearly a 100 feet tall and almost as wide, with significant water flow.

It was really an impressive waterfall, but given the weather, we didn't spend as much time here as we would have liked. After we got some pictures and videos, we started making our way back up. With the wet rocks, this was a bit of a challenge, but we made it safely. This is definitely not a trail for people with a fear of heights.

We also stopped at the Waterfall at the Top of Panther Creek Falls and to view the cascades above the waterfalls, then started making our way back.

Just about when we reached the easier part of the trail, the rain finally died down. Of course when it doesn’t matter so much!

Soon we made it back to the car. We changed out of our wet clothes at the bathroom at the recreation area and then started making the drive home along I-85. We stopped for dinner at Fatz in Gaffney, SC, just below the Peachoid water tower, and arrived home after a waterfall-tastic week late in the evening.