July 18, 2023
High Shoals Falls and Unicoi Lake Trails
Another summer day with sunny skies and temperatures between 75 degrees&85 degrees. We did have high cover over the trails so it wasn't unbearably hot. We visited both the Blue Hole and High Shoals Falls. Both are quite beautiful. Access to the trailhead is via Indian Grave Gap Road. We easily forded the Hiwassee River which was not high, but are known to be quite variable. The High Shoals Trail is well maintained, but heavily used making it quite rooty and rocky in many places. There are several nice wooden bridges to cross the High Shoals Creek and other drainages. It is worth the time to take this short hike. We added to our mileage by hiking the Unicoi Lake Trail. This is a pleasant 2-mile loop, again under high tree cover. These easy hikes were quite nice on an otherwise hot day.
Today's Hikers: John Cape, Jenny Bell, Matt Henderson, Gerald Richardson, Don, Pratt, Terre Pratt, Jane Brown & Squirt, Rich Brown, Mike Bell, Heather Wall & Toby, Colleen Swisher and Vic Robson.
The route
5.4 mi · 768 ft climbing · 3h 9m out, 2h 52m walking · 1.9 mph moving
Elevation
Hover over the profile to see the elevation and steepness. Your position will be shown on the map.
Part 1 of 2 · 2.7 mi
- Steepness
- Gentle under 5%
- Moderate 5–10%
- Steep 10–15%
- Very steep over 15%
Part 2 of 2 · 2.7 mi
- Steepness
- Gentle under 5%
- Moderate 5–10%
- Steep 10–15%
- Very steep over 15%
21 photos are shown on the map where they were taken — click one to see it full size.
Photos (24)
High Shoals Falls - A 120-foot, two tier, sliding cascade fall. Absolutely beautiful! Today's Hikers (L-R) Back: John, Jenny, Matt, Gerald, Don, Terry, Jane & Rich; Front: Mike, Heather with Toby, Colleen and Vic with Squirt. Fording the Hiawassee River on our way down Indian Grave Gap Rd. to the High Shoals Trailhead. Parking is limited at the High Shoals Trailhead, especially as the day goes on. Our start on a fairly short hike. The first part of the hike, right pane, is a fairly smooth path. The left pane shows it is then rooty for most of the hike. This very large tree was fascinating and determined to sustain itself despite a terrible lean. Lots of nice wooden bridges along this trail, especially this one with some very substantial stacked stone supports. On the top of the Blue Hole Falls. Can't quite figure out how someone reaches the rope to swing over the falls into the pool below. Blue Hole Falls . . . . really pretty and inviting today. No swimmers, though. A bit of a rock climb from the Blue Hole Falls. This is also representative of other sections of the trail. Then onto the High Shoals Falls. Photo taken downstream looking up toward the falls. Just a few Rhododendron still blooming and very few fungi, too. Next, a walk on the Lake Trail around Unicoi (Smith) Lake at Unicoi State Park. Toby is anxious to get going. The Lake Trail is an easy, but a well used path. Nice views of Unicoi Lake as we walk around it. Vic says, "You missed the turtle on the log!" Looking up Smith Creek, we are trying to catch a look at a Blue Heron. Smith Creek feeding Unicoi Lake. Vic, "This is where we have picnicked before." Amazing how this tree has grown around and supported a fallen tree. Heather spots signs of bear with digging shown on the right pane and scat on the left pane. Not a lot of wildflowers today. UL-Wild Potato Vine; UR-Joe-Pyeweed; LR-Beggar Lice; LL- Heal-all. A final view of Unicoi Lake from the dam.