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Carl Wallenda left the
circus high wire and came to North Georgia to leave a lasting legacy of
daring. He became the only man on Earth to walk across Tallulah Gorge
on the high wire. Now two decades later hundreds come from across
the country to challenge the gorge's rapids and waterfalls in kayaks.
Thousands more come to watch. And in the near future, will be able
to walk across a suspension bridge in the gorge.
For the first time in eight decades water runs down Tallulah Gorge on a scheduled basis. The town of Tallulah Falls will again be a centerpiece of beauty and excitement. The town is still not the honey moon capitol which it was in the beginning of the century. Visitors are no longer welcomed by a brass band as they deboard the steam train from Atlanta. The railroad was built to supply the dam builders. For $3.35, or $.50 from Clarksville, it brought people from Atlanta to visit the falls. The beautiful falls were dammed up and turned off to make power. The steam train fell into disrepair. The town died. For 'old timers' who love the beauty of nature, Tallulah Falls was an example of what was lost. The gorge, a scar of erosion in the earth, became a scar on our hearts for "what once was". After years of complaints by groups like the Sierra Club and The Georgia Canoe Association, Georgia Power realized the aesthetic beauty of the falls should benefit all Georgians and made restitution. The Company realized the State of Georgia could not budget enough to purchase and develop new parks or maintain the ones they had. Georgia Power gave most of the gorge to Georgia as a state park. Georgia Power already had a small park and campground and agreed to lease it too, and share the duties of operating it with the state. One thing which helps make it all work, without adding budgetary pressures
on the State, are the volunteer organizations such as the Friends of Gerogia
State Parks,
Visit,
The Friends of Sweetwater
Creek State Park, for a glimpse of how this non Governmental Volunteer
organization helps our parks.
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Visit the excellent State Park Interpretive Center at Tallulah Falls for all information.. Only 120 people allowed in gorge at one time, so permits are required . No hiking/climbing during whitewater releases. New! Hiking and biking trails. |
Call for spring Water Releases in Tallulah
Gorge.
For current info: write/call Tallulah Gorge State Park.
Water Releases
Call for info about additional Aesthetic Releases-200cf/s, during the spring and fall. |
Click for larger view, then back on your browser. |
Photo op. While
in the area, visit the Coleman (scenic) river about 5 miles west of Clayton,
off of Hwy. 76.
Find it by going west from Clayton, on Hwy. 76 about 5 miles. As it makes a left turn then goes down a long hill across a bridge, there is a small paved road forking off right and straight ahead. After taking this right fork travel a little over 2 miles and look for a scenic river sign on a little road down and to the left. Here is a stereo photo of a leaf falling at the Coleman River. |
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If all this hiking around has made you hungry and tired, visit the Dillard house in Dillard for the best southern food in the world. Here is a sampling of the goodies (then click back). |
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Since horse and buggy days,
the Dillard house is the best place to stay and eat while in the north
Georgia mountains. Click for a larger view of the
original building, then back on your browser.
, Now, thanks to the internet, you can order real North Georgia mountain foods, such as honey and hams from the Dillard House. Visit the Dillard House Web site. |
