The Bartram Trail is a 112 mile National Recreational Trail which winds through the mountains of Northeast Georgia and Western North Carolina. It is named for William Bartram, a naturalist who traversed the southeastern American colonies in the late 18th century. This trail offers opportunities for thru-hikes, multi-day section hikes, and day hikes.

The short section from Warwoman Dell Recreation Area to Martin Creek Falls is beautiful and perfect for a short, relatively easy day hike with the family.

Details:

• Name: Becky Branch Falls to Martin Creek Falls via the Bartram Trail
• Specs: Approximately 4 miles. 600 ft elevation gain. Moderate.
• Address: Warwoman Dell Recreation Area, Clayton, GA
• Parking fees: $0
• Foot Traffic: Quiet on week days. We only saw a few other people near the parking area.
• Restrooms: The USFS website says there is a vault toilet at the parking area. We never saw it. I advise stopping in Clayton.
• Cell Service: None at the parking area; otherwise, extremely spotty.
• Time Required to Complete: Approximately 3 hours depending on how long you spend at the falls.

Trail Journal

Getting There

The Warwoman Dell Recreation Area is 3 miles from downtown Clayton. Follow Warwoman Road East. It will meander through the mountains for a couple of miles and then intersect with the Bartram Trail. Warwoman Lane will be just around the bend. It is a VERY sharp right turn.

The Trail

This section starts in the parking lot just past the National Forest information board and the old fish hatchery. There are yellow blazes and a few signs indicating that this path is for foot traffic only.

Right off the bat we encounter a brisk climb up rock steps to the road and then up a dirt path to Becky Branch Falls. The incline gets the heart pumping but is not terrible. Despite being relatively small and close to the trail these falls are quite pretty.

At the foot of the falls, the trail crosses Becky Branch Creek. It is a narrow, shallow water crossing. We gingerly step on rocks and downed branches to cross without getting our feet wet. Just beyond that, a trail ventures off to the right – back toward the road. We stay to the left, continuing to climb up and around the mountain.

This being late March, there are few leaves on the trees so the trail is only lightly shaded on this south-facing slope. About 1/2 mile in, we begin a descent. We cross a gravel forest service road and continue on. The trail then turns northwestward with a slight incline. We follow along beside a creek and cross over it via a wooden bridge.

We discover a large, inviting campsite along the banks of the creek with fire rings and relatively flat ground. A few of the trees look suitable for hammocking.

A few yards further is a rock overhang. I can imagine that Tom Sawyer and Huck Finn would have loved this spot. Some of the kids in our group stop in the shade beneath the rock and take a water break. Others cannot resist scrambling to the top. We are not far from the falls.

Martin Creek Falls

At approximately 2.1 miles, we reach Martin Creek Falls. These are larger than Becky Branch Falls. There is a shallow pool at the foot of the falls where the kids would likely wade and splash if the weather was just a bit warmer. A few large boulders stand in the middle of the pool. To the right of the falls, shaded by rhododendron bushes, bright green mosses cover the rock ledge and a rainbow appears in the mist.

The Bartram Trail crosses the stream just below the falls via a wooden bridge. From this point, the trail ascends the hill and continues its trek toward Pinnacle Knob and North Carolina, however our group stops here today.

We listen to the sound of water splashing over the rocks, feel the coolness of the mist on our skin, breathe in the scent of fresh mountain air, and marvel at the beauty that surrounds us. We all enjoy a picnic lunch or trail snack. Some sprawl on boulders, soaking up the sun; others sit on the wooden steps or downed logs. After eating, some of the boys explore a bit while the moms and girls chat. Then we begin our trek back.

The Return

As we pass by the campsite once more, we discuss the possibility of camping there as a group sometime. It would be fun to bring our families up here in the summer to enjoy the water and just relax for a little while. This would be a great hike for first time backpackers, though it does not offer privies or other ‘amenities’ like the AT does.

Near the end of our walk we see the first hikers (other than our group) that we have encountered all day. They are admiring Becky Branch Falls on this beautiful spring afternoon. Upon reaching the parking lot, we take a few minutes to explore the old fish hatchery before heading home. We look forward to returning.

Where have you hiked lately? Share your favorite trails in the comments.