BENTON MACKAYE / DUNCAN RIDGE TRAIL
THREE FORKS TO LONG CREEK FALLS

SEPTEMBER 19, 1998

The hike from Three Forks to Long Creek Falls is less than a mile, but it involves three major long distance routes in Georgia:  The Benton Mackaye Trail (BMT), The Duncan Ridge Trail (DRT) and The Appalachian Trail (AT).  Three Forks, the starting point, marks the southern terminus of the thirty six mile Duncan Ridge Trail (DRT) which meets with the AT again at Slaughter Gap, it's northern terminus.  Three Forks is a nice flat area accessible by USFS 58 where Stove, Chester, and Long Creek converge.  The area is often crowded on weekends, but has some nice campsites along the creeks.  From here, it's less than a mile to Long Creek Falls, a thirty foot waterfall with a small pool at the base.  The Benton Mackaye and Duncan Ridge Trails break from the Appalachian Trail just past the falls and head down to the Toccoa River.  The A.T. continues northbound toward Hawk Mountain Shelter.    

On this hike we stopped briefly at Long Creek Falls, then continued on the A.T. to Hightower Gap.  It's easier, however, to backtrack to Three Forks if you plan to day hike in the area.