Cloudland Canyon State Park

[91bravo]

Here is Jeannie's post from the other forum. I'll share it here as well. Be sure to check out the video at the end. Enjoy!

MarriedTheMedic

After what feels like an eternity, @91bravo and I were able to head out to the woods for what ended up being an awesome weekend! Our destination was Cloudland Canyon State Park in North Georgia. We've never been there before, but from everything I'd read and heard about the place, it was definitely somewhere we wanted to visit. It was also the first road trip for Jonny's new Tacoma, and what a pleasant trip it was!

Our usual camping trips are pretty primitive, where we typically have to backpack in a few miles and then set up camp somewhere off-trail. This was a bit different for us because we had to reserve our site ahead of time, pay for parking, and then trek a very short hike (about 1/2 mile) to our site. We were pleasantly surprised at how private the backcountry sites were. There were 11 sites, I believe, spread across a 2-mile loop. Each site had a fire ring and picnic table, but other than that, everything else was primitive.

We arrived early yesterday morning with the plan to set up camp and then spend the day hiking. It was an absolutely perfect day for it -- sunny and 60 degrees!

Once we arrived at our site, we began with gathering firewood and setting up the tent.

Not a bad start...

Hangin' the Hammock...

A little toast before we head out for some hiking...

Time to hit the trails!

 

[91bravo]

We made a quick stop by the overlook to check out the amazing view!

And then it was time to head down into the canyon! There are two waterfalls down this trail. Cherokee Falls is the first you come to, with a moderate hike. It was the trail with the heaviest foot traffic. The second falls, much further down into the canyon, is Hemlock Falls. This trail was much less traveled due to the fact that there are 600 steps coming back up from the falls once you make it to the bottom. I plotted this trail with my watch, and it showed about a 700 ft elevation gain. It's definitely not for the faint of heart!

 

[91bravo]

Once we got to Hemlock Falls, we decided to hike up the side of the mountain to see how close we could get to the top of the falls. It was an ass-kicking climb, but it was so worth it!

Taking a break after the trek back down. This was the first hike in Jonny's new Asolos. My Vasque are still going strong!

Those steps going back up are no joke!

Along the way, we were entertained by some messages adorning the handrails...

Looking back down around the halfway point...

One last look at that beautiful view on our way out.

 

[91bravo]

Back at camp, we prepped some more wood and got the fire ready to light.

Sun was setting and the temps were cooling off, so it was time to get the fire going.

Dinner was quick and easy -- Beans on the Emberlit and Sausage Dogs over the fire!

I was fiddling around with my camera and learned something new. The sky was gorgeous...so clear and starry. This photo doesn't do it justice, but it gives you a bit of an idea...

After dinner, we just chilled around the awesome fire we had going and enjoyed the tranquility that comes with being outdoors.

 

[91bravo]

Here are the always-expected obligatory knife photos...

We skipped our morning coffee and packed up pretty early. There was a small chance of rain today, and when we saw a few sprinkles, we decided it was time to head back home. It was an awesome trip, and a much-needed break away from the stress we've been under lately.


This trip, I did something a little different and put together a short "movie" which includes some video clips from our trip.

Thanks for looking, and I hope you enjoyed tagging along with us.

From Jeannie and Jonny, we hope your weekend was as awesome as ours!

 

[duramax]

Thank you for sharing, great pics !!! Such a beautiful area and great knives too

 

[- SpyderMan -]

Awesome! Looks like it was a lot of fun.

Thanks for sharing your experience with us!

 

[Shark01]

Been there a number of times as my mother lives in Dalton, Ga. It's a beautiful place. It looks like you had an awesome time. Thanks for sharing!!

 

[91bravo]

Thank yall, it was a great trip and we already have another trip in the works! Stay tuned!

 

[untytled]

Time well spent and I'm sure well deserved! Thanks for bringing us along with ya.

 

[MolokaiRider]

Very cool trip man!

This is quite an inspiring thread!

Got my gears turning now on getting out in the bush!

Thanks for putting this up and sharing!

 

[MarriedTheMedic]

Thank yall, it was a great trip and we already have another trip in the works! Stay tuned!

Just need a few days to recover from this one.

 

[91bravo]

Yep, that walk back up to the top was an ass kicker!

 

[MarriedTheMedic]

Yep, that walk back up to the top was an ass kicker!

For real!

 

[Standard78]

Talk about perfect weather for a nice hike in Georgia!

Thanks for making me jealous!

 

[Sonnydaze]

I wish that I were a LOT younger and in better shape and good knees.
That was a WONDERFUL pictorial trip that you showed...what a lot of fun you had...
Maybe my wife and I can get up there one of these days...if our joints can stand the gaff.
Thanx...Northern Ga sounds really nice... pretty flat here in central Florida.
Don

 

[Gusbuster]

Thanks for sharing! I was working this weekend, but I’m enjoying the outdoors vicariously through your beautiful photos and video.

 

[DJC72]

These are great pics to start my morning off with a coffee. Thank you

 

[mb>]

Nice shots! Looks like that Rex Millie has a nice patina started.

Hey, if you're that close to Lookout Mountain, lets see some hang gliding shots next time.

 

[DavidZ]

Great pics! Thanks for sharing.