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
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