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Bear Gap Branch

Hike to the upper watershed of Coleman River in Rabun County, Georgia
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The upper watershed of Coleman River in Rabun County Georgia has some spectacular waterfalls. Bruce Roberts did the legwork and graciously passed along info making it easy for the rest of us. <a href="http://www.be-roberts.com/se/tallu/cole/cole1.htm">http://www.be-roberts.com/se/tallu/cole/cole1.htm</a> Some of my Waterfall Friends from the Carolinas joined me in an adventure to two of the waterfalls.
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The upper watershed of Coleman River in Rabun County Georgia has some spectacular waterfalls. Bruce Roberts did the legwork and graciously passed along info making it easy for the rest of us. http://www.be-roberts.com/se/tallu/cole/cole1.htm Some of my Waterfall Friends from the Carolinas joined me in an adventure to two of the waterfalls.

  • The upper watershed of Coleman River in Rabun County Georgia has some spectacular waterfalls. Bruce Roberts did the legwork and graciously passed along info making it easy for the rest of us. <a href="http://www.be-roberts.com/se/tallu/cole/cole1.htm">http://www.be-roberts.com/se/tallu/cole/cole1.htm</a> Some of my Waterfall Friends from the Carolinas joined me in an adventure to two of the waterfalls.
  • Take Coleman River Road off Persimmon Road. Coleman River Road begins as paved County Road CR 230 and becomes FR 54 when it turns into gravel/dirt. It is 3.7 miles from the pavement to the parking at the end of FR 54. Forest Service Road 54A goes left and is gated . The tree harvesting operations (logging) going on at the present time has the road torn up a bit and there are several mud holes along the way. So, a high clearance, four wheel drive vehicle is necessary. The trail you want is straight ahead through the large turnaround where you park. Here are Scott, Pamela, and Brenda as we begin.
  • Pamela (camera shy), Brenda and Renee take a break along the re-purposed logging road---- recently used as a fire-brake as last summer's forest fire ravaged this area----now used as a trail into the high elevations of the Coleman River.
  • In about 1.5 miles you will come to a creek ford. The waterfalls are on this stream. Cross the creek and turn left into the open woods. Last summer's forest fire will be evident as you pick your way up the cove. Scott's photo of Mtnimages, Renee, Brenda and Pamela shows how the fires have hindered new growth. This is mid-June and the forest floor would normally be covered with lush greenery. Next year will be better.
  • Keep the creek on your left and choose a route of least resistance. It is not necessary to stay close to the creek as the terrain will eventually force you directly to the first waterfall. It's a beauty!
  • I agree with Bruce's estimate of 45 feet.
  • This is a side shot as I scrambled up trying to avoid the spray directly in front of the waterfall.
  • This photo by Scott was taken from the other side of the waterfall. Spectacular shot.
  • Getting to the second waterfall required some real scrambling. Scott found a route up through the cliff.
  • One of the Weather Channel's "Locally heavy downpours" arrived before I could get many shots of the second waterfall. We scrambled up under an overhang and had a snack.
  • Brenda, Mtnimages, Pamela, Scott and Renee pose for historic picture. Photo by Brenda
  • The GPS track
  • The profile; about 4.2 miles and 750 feet change in elevation.

  • mtnimages

    on June 19, 2017

    Bruce,
    All of us thank you for sharing the excellent directions.

  • Bruce Roberts

    on June 19, 2017

    I was happy to see that y'all made it up to this beautiful spot and had an enjoyable time, despite the downpour! I was lucky and only had a brief shower when I was there (at the same overhang!).

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