DeSoto Falls (Georgia)
Encyclopedia
Georgia (U.S. state)
Georgia is a state located in the southeastern United States. It was established in 1732, the last of the original Thirteen Colonies. The state is named after King George II of Great Britain. Georgia was the fourth state to ratify the United States Constitution, on January 2, 1788...
are located in Lumpkin County, Georgia
Lumpkin County, Georgia
Lumpkin County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. As of the 2010 census, the population was 29,966. Its county seat is Dahlonega.- History :...
along Frogtown Creek. There are actually three waterfalls on Frogtown Creek, called Upper DeSoto Falls, Middle Desoto Falls and Lower DeSoto Falls. The upper waterfall drops 200 feet (61 m), the middle waterfall drops 90 feet (27.4 m) and the lower waterfall drops 35 feet (10.7 m). The overall height of the falls, as measured inclusive of non-vertical falls, cascades and steep stream bed, is 480 feet (146.3 m). DeSoto Falls are located on 3560 feet (1,085.1 m) Rocky Mountain.
The DeSoto Falls are named for Spanish explorer Hernando deSoto
Hernando de Soto (explorer)
Hernando de Soto was a Spanish explorer and conquistador who, while leading the first European expedition deep into the territory of the modern-day United States, was the first European documented to have crossed the Mississippi River....
, who passed through Georgia around 1540. According to a sign posted on the DeSoto Falls Trail, a 2.4 miles (3.9 km) in and out hiking trail to the falls, a plate of armor was discovered at the base of the falls in the 1880s.
The falls are part of the Chattahoochee National Forest and located in a 650 acres (2.6 km²) area designated the Desoto Falls Scenic Area. There is also a campground located along the banks of Frogtown Creek. DeSoto Falls is one of four popular waterfalls in the Forest located near Helen, Georgia
Helen, Georgia
Helen is a city located on the Chattahoochee River in White County in the north of the U.S. state of Georgia. As of the 2000 census, the city's population was 420.-History:...
. The other three popular waterfalls are Anna Ruby Falls
Anna Ruby Falls
Anna Ruby Falls is located near Unicoi State Park in White County near Helen, Georgia. The waterfall is accessible via a half mile trail from a public use area with a small admittance charge...
, Dukes Creek Falls and Raven Cliff Falls
Raven Cliff Falls (Georgia)
Raven Cliff Falls are located in White County, Georgia on a creek that joins Dodd Creek. The waterfall consists of three drops, a drop, followed by a drop into a deep pool, followed by a cascade of to Dodd Creek. The waterfall is an unusual double cascade flowing down through a fissure in a...
, all located in neighboring White County
White County, Georgia
White County is a county located in the northeast corner of the U.S. state of Georgia. It was created on December 22, 1857, from part of Habersham County. The county was named for Newton County Representative David T. White, who helped a Habersham representative successfully attain passage of an...
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