Sat, Oct 24, 2020

Waterfalls & Wine Fall Foliage Drive

Amicalola State Park

About this event

Anticipate a scenic view of the North Georgia mountains in full color with the stunning view of three of the most interesting waterfalls in the state as check points. Plan on meeting at the amphitheater at the top of Amicalola Falls, near Dawsonville, to receive your instructions, water, and snacks at 11:00 A.M. You will also receive fail-safe envelopes that can be opened if your GPS lets you down traversing between falls.  Plan on wearing sturdy comfortable walking shoes and a good attitude.  You will drive the course at your leisure spending as much time as you want at the three waterfalls.

Amicalola Falls is in a state park that requires a $4.00 per car entry fee or a state park pass. Take the first left after entering the park onto the Top of the Falls road to reach the amphitheater. There is ample parking in three locations at the top of the falls. There are a couple of ways to get the most out of visiting this beautiful spot.

  • The trek from the top to the bottom of the falls is down “425 steps” along a series of stairs and landings that cross a bridge spanning the waterfall’s upper third. The walk is considered “strenuous”.  This is the most difficult walk of the three falls we’ll visit.
  • Alternatively, you can visit the top of the falls and take in the splendid view. There is a mid-falls view which has an accessible trail to a bridge crossing the falls. It is a gentle slope from the parking lot down to the bridge, where you find yourself literally in the middle of the falls!

 The next leg of your journey is forty-eight miles winding through the Dahlonega wine country to

Anna Ruby Falls, outside of Helen, GA.  You may elect to have lunch in Helen, but it is expected to be crowded with long waits this time of the fall season.  Or, you may want to pack your own picnic and enjoy one of the many picnic spots in Unicoi State Park.  Anna Ruby Falls is in the Unicoi State Park ($3.00 per passenger fee unless you bring along your state park pass). A half mile paved trail with handrails and benches takes one from the parking lot to the base of the waterfall at an observation deck. Two creeks meet to form three tall falls that merge the water at the base of the falls. The walk and the entry fee are well worth the spectacular view.  We rated this trek moderate due to some steep portions of the paved trail. The trail has several resting points with benches.

The third leg of your Georgia waterfall tour is Minnehaha Falls, a twenty-five-mile drive from Anna Ruby Falls along the banks of Lake Burton with its colorful boat houses. Parking is along a two-lane road. The falls are on Georgia Power property, thus no entry fee. The walk is half mile. The slope is gradual, the trail is primitive dirt unimproved but generally moderate.  The fall is one hundred feet high cascading down a series of rock shoals. Again, the hike is well worth your time and the falls are breathtaking. One ends up at the actual foot of the falls as opposed to an observation deck.  

 Your next destination is Kaya Vineyards and Winery back near Dahlonega, an eighteen-mile drive. The tasting room and Winery was built atop a ridge that is sixteen-hundred feet above sea level elevation offering “the most exquisite panoramic mountain view in North Georgia”. The tasting room features a two-thousand square foot covered deck that is ideal for weary thirsty hikers. Your reward for completing the drive and waterfall tour is a colorful green vintage pre-worn feel shirt courtesy of the Atlanta and Ashville Trails Association that has a tasteful waterfall rendering on the front with the inscription-“Perfect Weekends are Made of Mountain Waterfalls and Fresh Air”.  Top your day off with a glass of wine or tasting of five different wines-your treat to yourself. Kaya offers a limited menu of sandwiches and salads. Those with bigger more ambitious appetites can motor ten miles to imbibe in Dahlonega’s night life.

Peachtree members wishing to remain overnight are encouraged to do so at the yet-to-open Holiday Inn Express on E Main St in the heart of Dahlonega.  We will send out an email blast as soon as this hotel opens so that members can make reservations if they wish.  In addition, there are many lovely B’n’Bs in Dahlonega, reservations for this date will fill up quickly!

Registration is $5.00 per car. Commemorative T-Shirts are available to purchase at $25.00 per shirt, please include shirt size when you register. In order to have your T-Shirt(s) on the day of the event please register by  October 5, 2020. Late T-Shirt registrations will have their shirts mailed to them.  

Event Registration closes on October 17, 2020.              

Amicalola State Park

Dawsonville, GA

Organizer

Road Rally organized by

MBCA - Peachtree

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Event over!