Revisiting Raven Cliff
Field Notes XIII: Photographing Dodd Creek and Raven Cliff Falls in North Georgia
This week I have been juggling a lot behind the scenes, trying to find a more streamlined and optimal way for me to create and share what I’m doing. In the beginning of Field Notes I had the idea to publish my narrative and creative writing on Medium and link to it from here. The hope was to reach a different audience on that platform. In reality, it just increases the complexity and difficulty of my writing. I don’t spend the time on that platform to develop a presence there and I’m figuring out that if you all are reading this publication, you really don’t want to click a link to read more somewhere else.
In view of this, I’ve decided to occasionally re-publish some writing I put on Medium here, where you may not have seen it. I gave some insight behind one of my photos of Raven Cliff Falls in the first edition of Field Notes. Below is the short narrative I wrote about the trip that I took in April 2023, which I originally included as a link.
Raven Cliff Falls is a popular, some might claim iconic, destination in the North Georgia mountains. It is the terminus of a long but undemanding hike following the Dodd Creek upstream, passing several other smaller falls along the way. A rocky scramble at the end of the trail reaches the sheer Raven Cliffs, split by a deep fissure that holds Raven Cliff Falls deep in its shadows.
Sometimes exploration can be a return to a familiar location. So it is here, for me. Old memories of my former self on past visits here arise from the trail, conjured by boots on soil and permeated with the musty odor of galax. The memories linger like ghosts in the woods. But, I return now as a different person, shaped by a cascade of life experiences. And I return now as a photographer trying to view what Nature presents with an artistic eye.
Near the start of the trail I make several stops to photograph smaller rapids and waterways along the Dodd. The scenes are good and everything I see seems worthy of attention. Everything at the start of a trail is a balance of time, and I know there are many more scenes ahead.
Dodd Creek Lower Falls is the first actual waterfall along the way. Maneuvering down to it, I try to take my time in choosing a composition. Here a small rock stack makes an excellent foreground interest.
A little further upstream is Middle Dodd Creek Falls. This one seems noticeably larger. However, the cost of a clear view of this one is a very steep climb down from the trail to stream level. I’m growing time aware, knowing that there are more falls, ahead and at this time choose to bypass it. I do ultimately visit this falls on the return, and the scramble down was a worthy expenditure for its beauty.
Finally, Raven Cliff Falls. After this long walk the cliffs rise up dramatically with an imposing finality of stone. The scene is a gift from the land. Or rather, earned at the price of breath and sweat across the last rocky climb to the base of the falls. The water falls deep in the crack in the rock, forming a small pool at the bottom. The rocks reflect the bright sun and finding a good vantage point to see into the crevasse is difficult. The answer is to get wet, and I wade into the frigid pool thigh deep and balance my tripod on whatever unseen submerged surfaces I can find. This location speaks to my spirit. The plunging water instills a reverence, while it concurrently re-charges and cleanses me with its icy atonement.
This is where the official trail ends, but I’ve learned of several other falls in the area. It gets very sketchy here, as I have to climb around Raven Cliffs. Its a route NOT recommended to the casual hiker. The ridges above and beyond have been touched by forest fire in the past and are covered in scrub brush, briars, and confusing small side trails. I manage to bushwhack through and with a little terrain association, I find Parnassus Falls. Its a proud moment, but what I don’t quite realize until later is that the other falls beyond this one has eluded me today. The return to the base of Raven Cliffs is an even tougher off-trail melee, with an almost technical climb down at the end. Its well worth it, though, as I have both a reason to return again and more memories to greet me when I do.
Are the images I took here good? Who knows. I catch the light here and try to present it as it impacts me, with my best effort at this point of whatever trajectory I’m on. Perhaps they will catch your attention just enough to inspire you, who have taken the time to follow along this far, to step outside and feel the sun on your skin and listen to the wind in the trees.
For more photos from this area and many more, check out my photography portfolio below-
I would love to hear any comments or feedback about my photos, writing, or Field Notes in general. And as always, if you’ve enjoyed Field Notes, please share it and encourage your friends to subscribe!