Cloudland Canyon: Waterfalls to Sitton's Gulch Trail

Cloudland Canyon is located at the top of Lookout Mountian, a very long, flat-topped ridge that runs all the way up to Chattanooga. The canyon runs out to the north and is about 1,000 feet deep. The Waterfalls and Sitton Gulch trails start at the top parking area and descend into the canyon, following it all the way out of the mountain. Cherokee and Hemlock Falls appear quickly into the trail after a series of steep downhills and many stairs. Take the short side trails to see both and get sprayed by cool mist in the canyon's breezes, enjoy climbing around rocks and wading into the clear pools of water. After these large falls, continue down the trail further for more. Two additional large, but unnamed, falls appear in the gulch and are easy to access. Next, the trail gradually levels to a gentle grade where it follows Sitton Gulch Creek to the end of the canyon. The creek gets further from the trail (50 to 100 feet) and has many more quiet, secluded spots to along its banks. Sitton Gulch Trail ends when you have arrived at the parking lot. Two changing rooms and a park bulletin board are the only points of interest here. To return, simply turn around and retrace your steps back, up, and out of the canyon. Cloudland Canyon is one of four state parks in Georgia's "Canyon Climber's Club." The waterfalls trail is generally busy in the summer; however, many other visitors do not go beyond Hemlock Falls toward the bottom. Both falls flow well in the spring and after rains. Flows may diminish later in the summer and in the fall. Sunsets from the rim walk of this trail are spectacular.