The Panther Creek Trail passes through hardwood forests of white pine and hemlock trees with rocky bluffs and steep uphill ascents. The footpath moves upstream towards the focal point of this trip up where the Panther Creek and Davidson Creek join at the waterfalls. The trail is marked by blue blazes. The pathway starts at a wooded area on a four-lane overpass which is in the Tallulah Falls Railroad vicinity. The path then makes a long curve back to the woods as it parallels Panther creek. This northern section of Georgia is also filled with a few side paths to the creek. The area is also part of the Gainesville Ridges and that the US Highway 441 used to run between the parking area and the trailhead section of this trail in the 1990’s.
From the Panther Creek overpass, the path follows the creek to the waterfall where it leads to a large rock formation called Tails Falls. Follow the path to the edge of the waterfall where the view from atop the falls is very impressive. There is a portion of the hike where you will have to get on your hands and knees for about a half mile stretch where the only way to continue is to place your back to the southern edge of the waterfall. On the way down there are a few cruises in the creek which makes it seem like you are on a houseboat which trips through the creek. The creek only runs during the year when the water level is too high and for that reason Tails Falls is not a safe place to hang around.
You can park in a space on the road just beside the trail at the Panther Creek Overlook and then walk down the path to the trailhead. The trailhead area is a portion of woods surrounding a ball field and a pavilion. The trail typically starts at the ball field and then continues through the woods to the trailhead area. Since the creek is too shallow for tubing, it is not recommended to use swim gear. Bare feet should be suitable for swimming while the water is still warm. Any water used for swimming should be biodegradable.
Since the creek is not safe to swim in, people should swim in the creek by reaching across their bodies and pulling their heads back into the water, or by using their hands along the bottom of their swim suits and kick their feet into the water. Both of these options can be avoided by wearing a life jacket. The life jacket can be pulled on all year round, except during winter. When the creek water gets too cold for humans to swim, the state parks staff will typically empty the creek through a back drain at the comfort of a picnic table.
The second option for reaching the creek is to hike down the trail. The pathway is very easy and would only take a few minutes if you were walking by yourself. differs from the first option as the water from this spot would likely still be warm enough for you to take some pictures. Though the trail is meant to showcase the creek, do not disturb the flow of water as the forest creates breathing spaces within the creek. The path usually ends at a waterfall where you can see the creek’s water downstream, however it is not possible to access this waterfall during the summer months.
During your hike to the creek, you will likely encounter eastern Bryde’s loved ones along the way. Look for them when you enter the woods with the cascading rapids. eastern Bryde’s love to float on the creekwater and listen to the sound of the rushing water. They will often appear at the edge of the creek water swimming and waving their heads up at you.
They are actually bees which sting their hosts, the just as they do to us. TheVaried Gryphonlitters(Gryffe),usually reside in the southeastern section of the state. In cramming into the gurgling creek water, they will sometimes ignore you. moving downstream to avoid the rigs and tires on the ground.
The path to Varied Gryphonlitters(Gryffe), leads to a boardwalk at the south end of the creek. On this walk you will encounter the remnants of a plum tree in the creek. The trail follows a footbridge and then winds down through a grove of aspens to the Finke Lake shore. Grey Denims(Dungeness), black bear and fox, are often spotted on the shoreline. The trail follows along the shoreline of Finke Lake, sometimes near the finke lake house, finke lake creek and Finke Lake itself. It is the miniature Grand Canyon where you can become very would be hikers.
Our original intent for venturing into this area was to see if we could get pictures of the amazing beauty of Bansko’s northern horizon.
