Waterfalls of Union County
By CHRISTIAN LEHMAN

Upper Helton Creek Falls.

The economic lifeline of Union County gets most of its power from tourism. Aside from the many festivals Union County plays host to most people visit the area for the outdoor adventures of the Chattahoochee National Forest. The Vast expanse of the

Chattahoochee National Forests accounts for half of the land in Union County and is enjoyed by thousands of people every year. The Chattahoochee National Forest is chalked full of rivers, streams and creeks, many of which have spectacular waterfalls. Waterfalls have intrigued mankind for time immortal and will continue to bedazzle visitors for generations to come until they finally erode away.

Union County has many waterfalls that can be enjoyed by the public since, they are located on both federal and state lands, while there are also many waterfalls on private land and not accessible to the public.

Located just 11 miles from downtown Blairsville are the Helton Creek Falls. Actually made up of two waterfalls they are easily accessible and offer a very short hike to view them. To get to Helton Creek Falls take US 129 south about a mile past Vogel State Park, turn left at Helton Creek Road. Follow Helton Creek Road for a little over two miles and there will be a parking lot on the left. Once at the parking lot look for the trailhead

Lower Helton Creek Falls.

sign. The trail is surrounded by majestic oak trees and Carolina Rhododendrons which should be in bloom and is well taken care of and only a couple of hundred yards long but there are steps built into the trail. First up are the Lower Falls at Helton Creek, beautifully serene with a nice pool at the bottom. Continuing to follow the trail upward there is the Upper Falls where there is a nice observation deck to allow viewers to witness the unleashed power of water's ability to cut through anything.

Along the way to Helton Creek there are also the falls at Wolf Creek at Lake Trahlyta inside the boundaries of Vogel State Park. This "stepping stone" waterfall is very accessible and offers a hike around the lake if desired plus all the amenities offered by Vogel State Park.

Other waterfalls within Union County include but are not limited to Canada Creek Falls, Waters Creek Falls, Little Rock Creek Falls and Horse Trough Falls. Waterfalls also abound in all the neighboring counties as well. All of these waterfalls are unique in their shape and size and can be enjoyed for many reasons from beauty to solitude. John "Jack" Anthony, in his book Waterfalls of North Georgia allows readers to "accompany Jack on his visits to the waterfalls in all seasons" as he visits dozens of waterfalls in the area and includes coordinate for locating them on a topographical map. This is a valuable tool in beginning to discover Union County's waterfalls.