02/07/2024
Last week, Dave and Kelly Milton, owners took a drive from Pinhoti Ridge Retreat to see some of the spectacular waterfalls that are close by in the Talladega National Forest. As you can see on the map below, all five waterfalls are within ten miles, as the crow flies(pictures and videos are below). You can see all five of them in a day, but you need to start by mid morning to make sure that you get them all in; to drive the total loop as shown on the map will be a little more than 30 miles of driving. The hikes to the various falls vary from 1/4 mile to 3/4 miles. The total round trip hiking for all five waterfalls is about five fairly rigorous miles. Number One on the map, Rob Roy Falls is the closest to Pinhoti Ridge Retreat. It is technically a class 5 rapid on Talladega Creek that kayakers like to go down during heavy flows. It is just a little less than a mile downstream from where the Talladega Creek flows through Pinhoti Ridge Retreat. There is a great swimming hole at the bottom of the falls; please be very careful with small children because there are no guardrails around the falls; in fact, most of “The Big 5” waterfalls have dangerous areas with no guardrails. Number Two on the map, Salt Creek falls is the tallest of the big 5 and the most treacherous. The rocks are slippery and no one should try to wade across Salt Creek right above the Falls; that has ended badly for a few folks over the years. Number 3 on the map is Devil’s Den Falls. The Devil’s Den is a stairstep Falls area on Cheaha Creek, several hundred yards above Lake Chinnabee. This is a good place to bring your ultra-light rod and reel and fish the pools below the falls for the small, but beautiful red eye bass. You can can catch larger bass and bream in Lake Chinnabbe, just downstream of the Devil’s Den Falls. Number 4 on the map is Cheaha Falls which is also on Cheaha Creek. Cheaha Falls is a little more than a mile upstream from the Devil’s Den. Cheaha Falls is easier and closer to access off Hwy. 281, taking the Chinnabee Silent Trail to the falls. The natural Longleaf pine setting around the Falls is stunning, allowing for lots of sunlight to hit the pristine waters around Cheaha Falls. Number 5 on the map is High Falls. The High Falls creek starts in the Cheaha Wilderness area and cascades down the edges of Robinson Mountain into crystal clear pools at the base of these falls. If you complete “The Big 5" loop in a day, you will sleep well back at your cabin here at Pinhoti Ridge Retreat.
**Look under the comments of each picture to see videos of the beautiful waterfalls!
