Big Leatherwood Falls is among my favorite hidden waterfalls near Toccoa and one of the region's most unique waterfalls. The total height of this waterfall is about 50 feet, split between a 20-foot lower tier and a 30-foot upper tier, which is the star of the show. 

The upper tier of Big Leatherwood Falls forms a spectacular twin drop over the brink of an overhanging cliff. The two arms of the waterfall converge in a delicate dance at the base of the cliff, one side forming a picturesque cascade while the other making a true free-fall. A small, sandy pool separates this part of the waterfall from the lower tier downstream, which is a less impressive sliding cascade. The path leads directly to the upper tier, so this is the section that most people get to see. 

The beauty and overall conditions at Big Leatherwood Falls fluctuate wildly depending on water levels. After a heavy rain, this is one of the most unusual twin waterfalls you'll see. In drier spells, the free-falling portion slows to a trickle or even dries up completely, and Big Leatherwood Falls ceases being a twin waterfall. 

Big Leatherwood Falls is located at the end of a steep, unmarked scramble path from the Pear Orchard Trail, which is part of the Frady Branch multi-use trail system. The waterfall lies on a fork of Big Leatherwood Creek. It is a 1.6-mile hike from Currahee Mountain Road (FR 62). 

For detailed directions, see page 244 in Mark Ozboyd's "Waterfalls of Georgia" guidebook.