Raven Gap Falls

What a great hike today to the Mountain Bridge Wilderness Area. Twenty Five of us gathered at the Holly Springs Mart off Hwy 11 and headed to Caesars Head State Park for a moderate to strenuous 9 mile hike to Raven Gap Falls and then to the suspension bridge off the Gum Gap Trail. This area has 40,000 acres of wilderness containing over 50 miles to the best hiking trails in the state. We stoped at the Ranger Station to purchase a trail map....not that we needed one (our leader takes care of that), but I like to have my own map so I can see where I'm going and where I've been.



Raven Cliff Falls
Matthews Creek plunging over 420 feet over
the side of Raven Cliff Mountain





Suspension bridge sits directly above the
1st drop of the falls



Tour de Falls....Dupont 2013

What a gorgeous day for hiking at Depont State Park and boy were the folks out taking advantage of it. From the Holly Springs Store on Hwy 11 (junction 178 and 11) we went 22.7 miles E on SC11, 11.5 mi N on US276, and 5 mi N on Cascade Lk Rd (at firehouse) then a right on to Staton Road to the parking area on the left, just over the bridge. There are potties, and no fees. There is a new trail bridge from the Hooker Falls access area to the Triple Falls Trailhead. Visitors can cross the Little River on a 120 foot long bridge, walk under the highway bridge and go up to Triple Falls. There were 21 of us today and and we mastered 8.3 miles and 4 waterfalls.





Triple Falls



Other Info: DuPont State Recreational Forest contains 10,400 acres in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Western North Carolina. Elevations range from 2,240 feet at Cascade Lake to 3,620 feet at the peak of Stone Mountain. Little River runs through the forest, with four major waterfalls along its course. The forest also contains five lakes. The largest is 99-acre Lake Julia. The forest has over 80 miles of roads and trails that are shared by hikers, mountain bikers and equestrians








High Falls



Bridle Vail Falls



Lower part of Bridle Vail Falls





Not for us!



Hooker Falls

Keowee-Toxaway State Park

My hike today took me on another trail I have been on with the group except for the park service has re-routed the trail for a much better hike and with more assessability to lake views. This moderately strenuous, well-marked 4.2-mile loop provided us with a link to the past as we hiked on land that Cherokee Indians once traversed. We begin the hike on the Natural Bridge Trail and shortly afterwards we crossed Poe Creek on the Natural Bridge, and then we turned right onto the Raven Rock Trail. We ascended and descended around McKinney Mountain to a rocky area near the top where we were treated to a beautiful view of the Blue Ridge Mountains to the west while surrounded by mountain laurel. Continuing, we came to another vista that overlooks Lake Keowee, then begin a steep descent to the lakeshore. From here we begin a steep ascent over stone ridges with excellent views of the lake, then descend to Poe Creek. Boulders in the creek provided us a way to cross Poe Creek where we rejoin the Natural Bridge Trail for our return.



At top of Raven Rock
Just below is another level of rocks where you can jump off into the lake





Refreshing waterfall along the way



Largest fungus I've ever seen

BartramTrail to Laurel Branch

What I love about this hiking group is that you never know who will show up. Newbies, regular hikers and the occasionaly hikers. We have lots of laughs and share information as we wonder through the woods. Todays hike took us to the Georgia State Line on Hwy 28. We drove about 17 miles north and The Bartram Trail parking area is just over the Russell Bridge (Chattooga River)and the trail head starts across the street. This particialar area of the trail is in the Chattoga River Flood Plain and I thought I could see evidence of some recent flooding. A beautful day for a 7.5 mile round trip hike that included several wooden bridge crossings and a site of an historic farmstead. Our picnic was enjoyed on the banks of Laurel Branch Creek.

Heart of Tree



Partridge Berries





Last of an old home place



Pigpen and Licklog Falls

This one I have done before and would do again anytime. An easy in and out of 6 miles to see two beautiful water falls. You will find the 25-foot stack of Pigpen Falls and the two-tiered, 80-foot Licklog Falls are much prettier than their names imply. Interestingly, these two falls are among five waterfalls you could visit by hiking the entire Chattooga Trail.

Had to hike down to river....coming up wasn't so easy!



Pigpen





Hard to see Licklog in this pic



Indian Cucumber - Had a hard time identifying this one, but my friend Laurie did.  The roots are edible and taste like a cucumber....so the research says.

There are several places along the banks to camp or just a day outing for a picnic or swim.

Moonshine Falls & Confusion Falls - Greenville County, SC

It was a confusion kind of hike today, but we all gathered at Holly Springs Mart off Hwy 11 and junction 176. Twenty of us asssembled and headed further up Hwy 11 approximately 9 miles to Hwy 8 then veered on 276 for approximately 1.7 miles to Asburn Hill Camp. This is a private Methodist Retreat for all - and known to be a great boys and girls summer camp. Today's hike lead us through a beautiful trail, mostly within hearing distance of water. An unexpected swarm of bees approached some of us on the trail. Our leader "Bill" was very allergic to bee strings...and was stung by 6 of the nasty varmint's. Bill had to return to base in case additional medical treatment was necessary. Most of us continued on....still several others had been stung, but not allergic to there venom.



Pam crossing the cable bridge













Moonshine Falls



What's left of the moonshine still

Thristy or needing a shower!

Confusion Falls