Swallow Creek Wildlife Management Area

waterfall view–Indian Grave Gap, 4 sights

9.4 mi · ▲ 1,645 ft · 3 hr 57 min

waterfall view–Indian Grave Gap, 4 sights is a 9.4-mile out-and-back in Swallow Creek Wildlife Management Area near Mountain Scene, GA. The route passes Indian Grave Gap before reaching waterfall view at the turnaround, 4.7 miles in. It climbs 1,645 ft, with sections as steep as 18% grade. It scores 82/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: genuinely wild.

Elevation

0 mi2,343 – 3,858 ft · steepest grade: 18%10.2 mi

Getting there

Trailhead: Appalachian Trail 34.79899, -83.69040
Nearest town Mountain Scene, GA

Directions

AMBLEWAYwww.ambleway.com

waterfall view–Indian Grave Gap, 4 sights

9.4 mi · ▲ 1,645 ft · 3 hr 57 min

Elevation 2,342–3,859 ft

Out & Back · Swallow Creek Wildlife Management Area

Trailhead: Appalachian Trail · 34.79899, -83.69040

Weather Sep 6: sunrise 7:12 AM · sunset 7:56 PM

Parking lot at the trailhead

  1. Start on Appalachian Trail, heading NW.
  2. 150 ftContinue straight onto Tray Mountain Road, heading W.
  3. 0.5 miContinue straight onto spring trail, heading S.
  4. 200 ftBear right onto Appalachian National Scenic Trail, heading S.
  5. 50 ftTurn right onto camp site, heading S.
  6. 50 ftTurn left onto Appalachian National Scenic Trail, heading S.
  7. 0.9 miTurn right onto Indian Grave Gap Road, heading W.
  8. 50 ftPass Indian Grave Gap.
  9. 0.6 miTurn left onto Rocky Mountain Trail, heading W.
  10. 50 ftBear right onto Indian Grave Gap Road, heading W.
  11. 1.6 miTurn right onto High Shoals Falls, heading NE.
  12. 1 miBear right, heading NE.
  13. 150 ftSharp left, heading NE.
  14. 250 ftReach waterfall view, then turn around and head back the way you came.
  15. 150 ftBear right, heading NE.
  16. 150 ftSharp right, heading NE.
  17. 1 miTurn left onto Indian Grave Gap Road, heading N.
  18. 1.6 miBear left onto Rocky Mountain Trail, heading E.
  19. 50 ftTurn right onto Indian Grave Gap Road, heading E.
  20. 0.6 miTurn left onto Appalachian National Scenic Trail, heading SE.
  21. 0.9 miTurn right onto camp site, heading E.
  22. 50 ftTurn left onto Appalachian National Scenic Trail, heading E.
  23. 50 ftBear left, heading E.
  24. 50 ftContinue straight onto spring trail, heading E.
  25. 150 ftContinue straight onto Tray Mountain Road, heading E.
  26. 0.5 miContinue straight onto Appalachian Trail, heading E.
  27. 50 ftArrive back at the trailhead.

Each distance is the walk from the previous step. Tap a step for a map of its junction.

Trail surface

32% gravel13% dirt55% unspecified

Weather

Sunrise 7:12 AMSunset 7:56 PM

Sunset

The best sunset spot on this hike is right at the trailhead, so there is no walk out. Be there by 7:36 PM to have the sun's last 20 minutes of sky before it sets at 7:56 PM. Your car is right there — dark at 8:22 PM.

More sunset hikes nearby

Good to know

  • Parking lot at the trailhead

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