08/22/2021
Lake Rabun, in northeastern Georgia, is an 835-acre reservoir lake with more than 25 miles of shoreline, part of the Tallulah River Watershed. Surrounding the area of Lake Rabun and nearby Lake Burton are a large number of state and forest service parks, along with countless waterfalls. When I say countless, I mean it, as there are more falls around that area that isn’t written on websites or books, some that have yet to be discovered.
One of my favorites, and certainly one of the most picturesque, is Minnehaha Falls. Named after the fictional character Minnehaha in the poem “The Song of Hiawatha,” this 100ft series of cascades is simply breathtaking. To get there, you follow a small pavement to gravel road that follows the Lake Rabun shoreline, for about 2 miles, to a small sign signaling the trailhead. From there, it’s less than a quarter-mile hike slightly uphill to get to the cascades. Along the way, there are smaller falls, that are themselves, beautiful.
Once you get to the base of Minnehaha Falls, you’re speechless at the size and beauty of this set of cascades. Stand in the water (carefully, as rocks there are very slippery), and let the peace embrace you. I have been twice now, and the first time, there was one other person, and this most recent time, on Wednesday night, I was the only one there. This is one of the best bangs for your hiking bucks when it comes to waterfalls/cascades, as the hike is easy and short and the falls are massive and beautiful.
I look forward to visiting more of the falls around there, having already hit Angel Falls, Hemlock Falls, Duke’s Creek, Becky Branch Falls, Stonewall Falls, Mud Creek Falls, and others. Maybe I’ll see you out on the trail! — at Minnehaha Falls.
