No towel is needed at this river crossing.
20 Falls on Deep Gap Branch
Challenging! With a unicorn-like tree standing out from the top of the falls, this trail is nearly as challenging as it would be to capture a real unicorn. What begins as an easy-to-follow trail ends up as a hard-core bushwhack. Although Falls on Deep Gap Branch is located in North Carolina, you must drive through Tate City, Georgia, to access the trailhead. While in the area, you can also visit nearby Denton Branch Falls.
See map on 19 Bull Cove Falls
Height: 40 feet
Distance: 2.6 miles out and back
Trail surface: Hard-packed dirt
Approximate hiking time: 2 hours
Blaze color: Blue
County: Clay
Land status: National forest
Trail contact: Nantahala National Forest, Tusquitee Ranger District; (828) 837-5152; www.fs.fed.us
Maps: DeLorme: Georgia Atlas & Gazetteer: Page 16 A1; DeLorme: North Carolina Atlas & Gazetteer: Page 51 F6
Finding the trailhead: From the junction of US 76 west and US 441, drive west on US 76 for 7.9 miles. Turn right onto Persimmon Road at the sign for Tallulah River Campground and travel 4.0 miles to a left turn onto Tallulah River Road (FS 70). Continue for 1.4 miles to the Tallulah River Campground. Bypass the campground and continue straight ahead on the now unpaved Tallulah River Road for another 7.0 miles (entering North Carolina) to where the road comes to a dead end.
From the junction of US 76 and GA 197, drive east on US 76 for 3.0 miles. Turn left onto Persimmon Road at the sign for Tallulah River Campground and follow the directions above.
The trailhead is located at the north end of the parking area. GPS: N35 00.834 / W83 33.378
The Hike
The trail begins by going around the boulders and heading uphill as you enter the Southern Nantahala Wilderness. The wide roadlike trail narrows after the first 0.1 mile before crossing an open area and reaching a fork. Head left at the fork, following the Deep Gap Trail (#377). The trail leads across a creek as you continue to follow the Tallulah River upstream for another 0.3 mile. Along the way you will rock-hop a few tiny tributaries before returning to the river.
This time, instead of crossing the river, head right as you continue to follow the blue-blazed Deep Gap Trail upstream. You will cross another stream and a wet-weather tributary as the trail narrows and becomes no longer blazed. As you continue the uphill trek, you rock-hop across the creek once more.
Continue steeply uphill for less than 0.25 mile more and come to the creek one last time. Do not cross it. Instead head to your left and bushwhack your way upstream to Falls on Deep Gap Branch. I’ve given this one a beauty rating of fair mainly because there isn’t anywhere to perch and enjoy its full beauty.
Miles and Directions
0.0From the trailhead, go around the boulders and up the hill to a large trail information sign for the Southern Nantahala Wilderness. Continue north past the sign on the wide roadlike trail.
0.3The trail crosses an open area. Continue on the rocky path as it leads northwest and upward.
0.4Come to a fork and go left (north) following the Deep Gap Trail (#377). Soon come to a creek. Cross it and continue hiking northeast as you follow the river upstream.
0.7Arrive at the river, but do not cross. Instead head right (east), still following the trail upstream.
0.8Come to another small stream crossing. Rock-hop across and continue northwest.
1.0Rock-hop across yet another small, wet-weather tributary, and pick up the trail on the other side as it heads to the right (northeast). The now unblazed trail is much narrower as you trek uphill.
1.1Come to another creek crossing. Cross it and head right (north) as you begin to climb steeply.
1.2Reach the creek one last time, but do not cross it; instead head to the left (north) and bushwhack your way upstream toward the falls.
1.3Arrive at the base of Falls on Deep Gap Branch (N35 01.812 / W83 33.096). Return the way you came.
2.6Arrive back at the trailhead.
Options: If you’ve got some extra energy after visiting Falls on Deep Gap Branch, you could continue hiking on the Deep Gap trail for less than a mile to where it dead-ends near Deep Gap on the Appalachian Trail (AT). If you really want to spruce up the adventure, the Standing Indian Shelter sits less than a mile north on the AT. You could make this an overnight trip and stay at the shelter, but be prepared, this area tends to get quite cold at night.
While Big Laurel Falls sits geographically near Falls on Deep Gap Branch, you must drive several miles away to access it. Denton Branch Falls, however, lies right around the bend. If you’ve come all the way out through Tate City, Georgia, to see this one, I recommend making a day of it and visiting Denton Branch and Bull Cove Falls as well. Big Laurel and Mooney Falls could be coupled as a separate outing.
No towel is needed at this river crossing.