Army Rangers and Waterfalls

If there was ever a moment when I realized that our move from Texas to Atlanta had some very awesome benefits, it was on this waterfall exploration.  Back in DFW, there is absolutely no way anyone is going to go for a hike in the early afternoon in the middle of the month of August.  I'm not going to lie and say it wasn't a hot day or that we didn't break a solid sweat, but just to be able to do this wasn't lost on me and is a testament to the outdoor opportunities all around us in Atlanta and the North Georgia mountains.

Our goal for this trip was to see the lower and upper Black Falls that are near the source of the Etowah River in the hills above Dahlonega, GA.  Interestingly enough, these falls are located within the border of the U.S. Army's Camp Frank D. Merrill which is the home of the 5th Ranger Training Battalion.  The focus here is the Mountain Phase, which is the second of three primary phases that make up the U.S. Army Ranger School.  This is surely not a base that offers much in the way of public access, but I hear they throw a pretty good Open House every year.

Somehow... I still haven't made it back up there for this event, but I'll make it one of these years.  I'm proud to be a U.S. Army veteran myself and I salute these Soldiers for all that they do.  HUA!

With that quick lesson on the Army Rangers behind us, we actually did come to check out some Waterfalls.  First up, we wondered down to the lower falls, but ultimately we just didn't get a good view of this 45 foot tiered waterfall as the following pictures from on top of it show.

As you can tell, the water really just wasn't running (remember, it is August).  These next two photos show you the best view I could score (yes, very sad) as well as a pic (not from me) of what it looks like when you get down to the plunge pool at the bottom.

On the walk back up to the upper falls you get to wander through some of the training obstacles that the Ranger School uses.

Of course, the real treat is the upper falls which flows right next to this climbing/repelling wall.

Zoe was nice enough to be in those last two photos to help you with the scale of this 65 foot tiered fall.  Gretchen joins her in the next one.

If you make it up to Camp Merrill to check out the Black Falls of the Etowah, be sure to double-check with the front gate guard to make sure you have permission and definitely be respectful & mindful of the training equipment.  Oh, and if you're going, let me know as I'd actually like to get a good view of the lower falls!!