Date/Time
Date(s) - 10/13/12
8:30 am - 6:00 pm
Category(ies)
List of Attendees
- Peter de Lastic
Location: Carpool meet at Intown Community Church
Driving time: 1.5 hours
Distance: 5 miles or 7 miles
Difficulty Level: D2-D3
Cost: $10 per person for 4 people traveling in a car
Raven Cliff Falls are reached by the Raven Cliffs Trail that follows Dodd Creek to the falls. The trail, which is about 2.5 miles (4.0 km) in length, is relatively easy to hike until near the end. From 2,040 feet (620 m) at the trailhead near Bear Den Creek the path slopes gently upward to 2,600 feet (790 m) at the base of the falls. Blue blazes mark the trail, which is easy to follow.
The trailhead lies just off the Richard Russell Scenic Highway. From the parking area the trail runs northwest into a scenic valley teeming with mountain laurel, rhododendron, mixed hardwoods and moss-covered seepages. Along the way the trail passes smaller waterfalls, clear pools and cascading whitewater. The trail ends at an impressive 80-foot (24 m) cliff formation split down the middle with Raven Cliff Falls in between. A steep path leading to the top of the cliff offers wonderful views of the valley and the creek below.
If you want to also hike Dukes Creek Falls Trail it is a series of three switchbacks that lead down to falls on Davis Creek at its confluence with Dukes Creek. There are water cascades on Dukes Creek While the pathway is remarkably level, it descends more than 400 feet on the half-mile walk. The sound of the waterfall can only be heard at the middle of each switchback, fading as the next turn approaches. Where the footpath switches back the sounds of the forest are louder than the falls. After the second switch the path now narrows considerably. At the falls three more observation decks have been built into a boardwalk. It’s cool here, courtesy of God’s air conditioning. Davis Creek Falls are spectacular and deafening, and the cascades of Dukes Creek add to the enjoyment. Just above the wooden structure the original path is still visible.
Required Items to Bring: Water 2 liters / Trail snacks / Lunch / Good hiking boots/shoes/hat. Recommended Items to Bring: Daypack / Hiking stick / Camera
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