Cloudland Canyon - Sitton's Gulch (Dade County, Georgia)

It was a mostly peaceful night camping in Cloudland Canyon State Park as part of a campout I organized for the Meetup group that I often hike with. It was a bit hot at first, but cooled down to the high sixties by morning. Great weather to wake up to. I'm going backpacking next weekend and decided I would do a little 'glamping' this weekend. I used a large new 4-person tent and a ultralight cot (which was a Christmas present) and both worked spectacularly. I got a great night's sleep.

I was the first to wake and start getting active and soon got some water boiling for breakfast and my morning tea. Got to get that caffeine injection. Soon, the others roused and began making their own morning preparations. Before long, we were breaking down camp. I hadn't plan to start he hike today through Sitton's Gulch until about 11:00, but with the heat, everyone was anxious to start earlier. After we packed up, we drove individually over to the main trailhead and started our hike. 

The first section along the eastern rim is the same as we hiked yesterday afternoon, but at the proper junction, we turn right and head down a large number of wooden and steel steps to see the waterfalls and then onto Sitton's Gulch. I've hiked this trail once before and it is one of my very favorites in this state. It reminds me a bit of Yosemite in that there are a huge number of waterfalls (of varying sizes) along the route. The first of which is Cherokee Falls, which plummets some sixty feet over a sheer cliff into the large pool below. I've visited this waterfall when it was raging, but due to the recent lack of rain, it's only a small stream currently. That doesn't detract from its beauty though and being here in the shade with the moisture from the waterfall in the air is quite refreshing and cooling.

Next, we visit Hemlock Falls, which is similar in appearance, but a bit taller at ninety feet. It also has a massive boulder right in the middle of the pool that it empties into and requires a bit of rock scrambling to get close to. Again though, very beautiful even with the lower water flow.

We continue on down the steps and cross over a bridge to get to he western side of Daniel Creek where the trail continues. Bear Creek merges with Daniel Creek and we are now following Sitton Gulch Creek. As the waters that carved and continue to carve Cloudland Canyon stream through this gulch, we pass by a number of smaller waterfalls. That's really what makes this trail a treasure for me. It's just a collection of water features. We take the time to walk out to the creek in a couple of places and enjoy the cool breeze flowing through the canyon.

Though not a long trail, there are quite a few shallow climbs and even a couple of steeper ones through this section. On either side of the trail and in the path of the creek, you can see boulders, both large and small, that have tumbled down from the high canyon walls above over the eons as erosion does works its magic.

Soon, we reach the trailhead at the far end of the canyon and have to turn back and retrace our steps. One of the hikers with me comments on how different everything looks going in this direction. He's got a point though. We do our best to avoid a number of millipedes that we encounter on the trail and to keep ourselves well hydrated and cool. As I know the return trip is much more uphill than the beginning and with the temperatures climbing, I keep us at a very reasonable pace.

And then we reach the stairs. While not that challenging coming down, the 1,200 or so steps that we have to ascend on our way back up will give all of us quite the "leg day". We start up them at a steady pace and take a couple of rests along the way. Eventually, we reach the top and take a minute to rest and hydrate. We're all pretty tired after this climb, but I think everyone had a great time and really enjoyed this hike. Sitton's Gulch Trail, including both waterfalls is right at 5.5 miles and remains one of my favorite hikes in Georgia. We say our goodbyes and head for home.