Issagueena Falls and Blueridge Historical Railroad

Tuesday, November 29, 2011 - Met hiking group for a 5 mile hike on the railroad trail.  This abandoned railroad trail dates back to the early 1800's and was never completed due to the civil war.  It was suppose to be a trail to Charleston.  We begin at our usually meeting place at 8:30 and caught up with others in Walhalla to group and pool for just a few miles away to the Stumphouse Tunnel.  Just pass the entrance of this tunnel is the path to Issagueena Falls (named after an Indian princess).  I've never seen this area before (don't know why - it's just on Hwy 28 outside of Walhalla).  I did not go into the Stumphouse tunnel today because you needed a flashlight to travel through the 1,617 feet dark and damp opening.  Just beyond this area is the entrance to the falls and the Blue Ridge Railroad Trail where you can see two other abandoned tunnels.  The trail today was 5 miles and took us to the middle tunnel and Saddleback tunnel.  I went inside the middle one, only to be able to crawl in a few feet and then stand up just for a few steps.  There was a barricade up and you could tell where the whole tunnel had clasped.  The last tunnel was filled with water and this was where we turn back.  It drizzled most of the way back to base, but it made for an exciting day and meet some very nice people.  There were only 8 of us willing to bear the weather.

Temp - 37 - 40 degrees
No wind
Need waterproof hiking pants

Opossum Creek Falls

My first outing with the hiking club took me on a 3 hour moderate to strenuous hiking journey in an effort to see a 50-foot waterfall and boy was it an awesome site.  I meet the group a 8:30 a.m. and it was misty raining.....but we went on because the weather was suppose to clear.  We made a few turns off Hwy 76 (Long Creek Branch) until we entered the trail head. This was a 1.5 mile hike to the Chattooga River for lunch break and then continued .5 miles to the waterfalls.  The OCF tumbles over a steep cliff with two major drops for a total descent of more than 100'.  When I saw the river I had a flood of memories past me by.  Those good ole rafting/kayaking days with the family.  I thought about Dad alot today. 

Lunch at the Chattooga River

It was an absolute pleasant day and I enjoyed this hike so much.  The terrain wasn't too bad....the leaves had covered most the roots along the pathway, but my new shoes held the slippery leaves.  There were 15 of us that participated.  I learned today there are 300+ in the club.  Everyone was about my age and a few older, some with spouses, some with dogs..... everyone was very pleasant and informative. 



Beginning of trail



Opossum Creek Falls

 



 





 

The Shoes........

what else can I say!  A must!

Nature Bridge Nature Trail

Description:  Located in Keowee-Toxaway State Park starting of the Park Office, this moderately strenuous, well-marked 1.5 mile trail provides a nice get away on land that Cherokee Indians once traversed.  The most distinguishing feature of this trail, the natural bridge, provides a natural fixture for you to cross Poe Creek, which you will follow for a short distance of the hike.

Mandy and I hiked this trail one Sunday afternoon in November.  This was really a re-introduction to hiking for me.  I haven't hiked in 18+ years - except for the occasionaly lesiure walk on pavement.  Truly enjoyed having Mandy with me to show me the ropes and her company. 

This trail took us about 40 minutes with some time spent taking pictures.  I think I did pretty well, considering I didn't realize we would encounter some climbing - guest I should pay attention to the description before I head out.  The weather was very pleasant and we had intended to extend this hike another 2.7 miles on the Raven Rock path, but time ran out.  We had to be in Greenville later that afternoon.