Tumbling Waters Nature Trail
Mar 12th, 2009 by Admin 1
Tumbling Waters Nature Trail - Ridgeway Park at Carters Lake
Short Description: A short in and out trail with views of one of Carters Lakes many coves as it winds through the woods above the shoreline and also Tails Creek. There are two observation decks overlooking the Waterfalls along Tails Creek.
Nearest Town: Chatsworth
Trailhead Location: Boat Launch Parking Lot - Ridgeway Park at Carters lake
Trail Length: 1.2 miles
Difficulty: Easy
Trail Marker: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers direction signs
Parking: $4
Directions: From Ellijay, go west on 282/76. Once you pass the Old Hwy 5 - 76 intersection continue West on 76 and go approx. 6 miles. Look for the Ridgeway Park Sign and turn left following direction sign (Woodring Branch Road).
I hiked this trail a couple days ago for the first time and was a little surprised because I had read somewhere online that it was 1.7 miles in and out with several other trails branching off. I gotta tell you, it doesn’t even feel like 1 there and back if you are talking about the actual marked trail but I guess its supposed to be about 1.2 miles. I also always feel uncomfortable and find it difficult to navigate some of these Corp land with old logging roads shooting off every direction. In all, I think there are 3 or 4 markers along the trail itself but nothing to signify when some of the offshoot trails or roads are dead ends or may perhaps lead you into private property. It can be a little irritating. That’s all that I’m driving at.
When I reached the first main fork in the trail about 0.4 miles in I took a right to the first observation deck and was at this point impressed with the natural beauty and the trails general maintenance. I stopped to snap a few pictures and got back on the trail thinking I had only completed about a quarter of the trail at this point. Turns out I was already near the end of the official trail.
I crossed a long footbridge and the trail splits several directions at this point. The sluice for an old sawmill is still visible and at this intersection you can take a right and head down to the 2nd overlook deck and then down to the creek.
From what I could tell, this is where the official trail ended and there are no other signs to indicate otherwise. I was kind of prepared for more of a hike so I started down one road only to run into No Trespassing signs all over. I wasn’t in the mood to be chased off by gun toting land owners and there certainly would be no squealing like pigs going on so I turned around and went back to the intersection near the bridge.
I took some more pictures down near the creek before heading on to some of the other old roads that lead off to the other side of the lake.
The other roads and trails were very lightly used and didn’t really have much logic to them so unless your just looking to waste a little time bushwhacking or whatever I wouldn’t bother with most of these.
All in all, I liked the Tumbling Waters itself and the trail leading up to it but wasn’t to impressed with the lack of direction. It was nice but too short for the hour drive from where I live. For residents living near the area looking for waterfalls, hikes near Ellijay, or just looking to get out and see some nature it’s perfect.
Also, if you don’t mind occasionally standing off the side of the trail there are about 6 miles of additional mountain biking trails which are marked better than the hiking trail and consist of both single track and small logging roads and cover some decent terrain. I may have to get the bike out and head back up there to hit those.
