Georgia Natural Wonder #282 - Cochran Mill Park - Fulton County (Part 11)***

[Top Row Dawg]

Georgia Natural Wonder #282 - Cochran Mill Park

Located in Chattahoochee Hills Georgia, just 20 miles southwest of the Atlanta Airport, Cochran Mill Park, with 800 acres of woods, fields, and streams, features stunning waterfalls, huge boulders, rock outcrops, wildflowers, native azaleas, mountain laurel, and the ruins of 3 historic mills. 



The park takes its name from the grist mills operated by the Cochran family in the 1800s-1900s. The Henry family also operated a mill on the park’s west side around 1850.

In 2010, donations from almost 400 local families in the City of Chattahoochee Hills allowed the City to purchase Cochran Mill Park from Fulton County.

In 2013, a $100,000 Recreational Trails Program Grant from the Georgia Department of Natural Resources provided the funds to create a remarkable park transformation. Eight miles of new sustainable multi-use trails have been designed and constructed and ten miles of old trails have been rehabilitated. Other park improvements include a 2.5 mile Interpretive Trail, additional parking, an information kiosk, and a trail entrance arch. An ADA handicap accessible equestrian mounting block is easily accessible from the new parking areas. 

Thanks to the Recreational Trails Program Grant and the work of many volunteers, Cochran Mill Park now has 18 miles of sustainable multiple-use trails shared by hikers, horseback riders, mountain bikers, and trail runners. 



The Interpretive Trail follows the Orange Trail in a 2.5 mile loop along Little Bear Creek and Big Bear Creek and then returns through the woods. The first Orange Marker is located across the parking lot from the kiosk. This is an easy trail that is fairly well marked. Stick to the trail and explore as much as possible and the great reward will be unexpected rock slides. Signs of the old mill pop out in certain places. The trail is fairly well shaded and should be fine on a hot sunny day.

Cochran Mill Park takes you through a setting rich in historical and natural characteristics. The park features beautiful waterfalls, enormous boulders, rock outcrops, wildflowers, native azaleas, and mountain laurels.

The trail goes through the forest and includes several hills. Along the trail, you may encounter wildlife like deer and snakes. There are some shaded and exposed areas. The trail is rocky and steep in places, so you'll need to be careful where you hike.

This is a beautiful trail in Cochran Mill Park. It meanders along lovely shaded trails, passing by waterfalls, creeks, and wildlife. The trail begins from Upper Wooten Road, where parking is available. Some sections of the trail can get quite muddy after rain. Take care when walking on rocks around the waterfalls and creeks, as they can be very slippery.

Highlights include beautiful waterfalls, scenic views, and well-marked trails. Challenges involve muddy sections and slippery rocks. Reviewers suggest wearing sturdy shoes, bringing bug spray, and using a trail app.


Set in a gently rolling forest, the Henry Mill Falls waterfall cascades over a broad, colorful rock outcrop, tumbling into a shallow pool below. It’s one of several stunning waterfalls at Cochran Mill Park, and the most remote of the falls, offering some mid-hike solitude and tranquility.

 

Cochran Mill Park is located southwest of Atlanta near Chattahoochee Hills. This adventure to Henry Mill Falls crosses several streams on the way to the site of a former mill. The trail rolls gently, following the tranquil flow of Bear Creek on this just-under-five-mile round trip to the waterfall.

Henry Mill Falls at Cochran Mill Park: the hike

 

The adventure begins at the park’s yellow trailhead (view maps and driving directions). The yellow trail meanders through a mixed pine and hardwood forest. The tree canopy towers above the fern and needle-filled forest floor, dappling the forest with sunlight. The hike descends steadily, meeting a gravel road at a third of a mile. This route turns right, following the gravel road westbound to a bridge spanning the shallow, smooth-flowing Cedar Branch Creek.

After crossing the bridge, a number of yellow-blazed trails depart to the right. This hike follows the Old Swamp Trail (#9) roughly northbound to Bear Creek and a connection to the park’s red-blazed trail network. (Check out the official trail map for details. And a warning: the park’s extensive trail network can be very confusing. Multiple trails are blazed the same color, making it really easy to get lost.)

 

The hike crosses Bear Creek, connecting to the red-blazed trails on the other side. Depending on the creek’s flow and depth, the crossing can be moderate to difficult.

 

The hike turns left after crossing the creek, following the Bear Creek Trail (#14) northwest toward Henry Mill Falls. The trail crosses a small tributary, winding through a young forest dotted with lichen-covered boulders and smooth rock outcrops, gently rolling elevation along the creek banks.

Large stone slabs dominate the creek’s bed as the sound of rushing water becomes audible on the trail. The hike reaches Henry Mill Falls, catching wide-open views of the waterfall on the vast rock outcrops and sandy shores just below the cascades.



The return

 

The sandy banks below the waterfall make a great spot for a mid-hike break, and to soak in the beauty of the forest. Departing Henry Mill Falls, the route doubles back to the trailhead on its outbound route. The hike finishes at just under five miles, reaching the Cochran Mill Park trailhead and completing the adventure.

 

Note: slippery rocks and fast moving water can be extremely dangerous! Please don’t climb, stand on, swim near, or jump from any waterfall.