Lower White Water Falls

Couldn't ask for a better start of the day with temps in the 60's.  Our group today took us up the mountain to the Bad Creek Area to access the Foothills Trail and continued on to see the Lower White Water Falls.  I have done this trail many times and even added an additional 2 miles today to add to the 4 in and out to the falls.  Makes for a good workout and a chance to qawk with fellow hikers.

19 it looks like....now lets name them? Starting left to right...go....? Norma Ray, Rich, Me, ? ? ? Bandit and Karen, Chris, Susan and Riley, ?, Tom, Arlene, Sharon, Carol, Barb, Ray and Rita and of course Bill taking the Pic.

On platform at Lower Falls

After about 6 miles.....

and ready for a cool down....

Awh...the hugh old dead Hemlock tree...Sorry to see it go!

and so this is Lower Water Water Falls!

First hike of the 2015-16 Season

After a few previous days of rain and more lurking in the area for today, our scheduled hike was a go.  Yellow Branch is a short distance from Walhalla and makes for a good warm up hike for the beginning of the season.  With mostly clear skies and temps in the low 70ies, it made a great outing.  Out of 19 hikers, only  7 were regulars.  Everyone was friendly as usual and we made our way for an in and out hike of 4 miles and had our picnic at the shelter.

Pam and I

Hearts-A-Bustin

Paris Mountain - January 29, 2015

A smaller group today....but alot of fun! 

This is another first for me.  This state park is in Greenville and offers an attractive mix of terrain and views.  Todays hike was 5.5 miles but we actually did 6 different trails. We started off at the Brissy Ridge Trail from the deepest parking area in the park.  There is a very scenic reservoir via the North Lake Loop.

I like following the trail map, even though all these trails are well marked and maintained.

Burrell's Ford - January 27, 2015

This is a hike so near to Mom's, I can't believe I've never hike this trail.  I remember camping there with the family back in the 60ies and playing in the river.

Today's hike was only around 4 miles with a few climbs...overall a easy/moderate hike with two awesome water falls in route. 

Spoonauger Falls

This water fall is tall and narrow with little room for viewing.  This is upriver on the Chattooga.

King Creek Falls

 and this waterfall is down river and is a special delight with splash pool and surrounding rockery.  It is possible, stick aided, to cross at its base using a fallen log as a bridge.  The crossing affords additional views and closer encounter with the showy falls. 

CAUTION - Take trail map because this trail takes several turns and spurs that are not marked very well.  To see King Creek only, you can access it easier by parking and walking through the campground and there is signage leading to this waterfall.

Thompson River - January 6, 2015

Thompson River is the next major tributary of Lake Jocassee, east of the Whitewater River.  The river is accessed via the Foothills Trail, from its connector at Musterground in Duke's Power's Bad Creek facility.  We hiked from location A7, past the 7a and 7b junctions, continuing on to Thompson until 7b, the hike replicates the hike to Lower Whitewater Falls.  There are several modest climbs of several hundred feet.  Always nice to hike around water.  This 7 mile round trip hike is considered moderate.

East Fork - Ellicott's Rock

Our first hike of the New Year...a bit chilly in the am, but warmed up a good bit into the hike. I've never seen the marking at the Ellicott Rock until today.  This is where Andrew Ellicott surveyed the GA/NC boundary in 1811.  The engraving is N.G. not N.C. as some would say.  There are several hikes that will head you to this area, but this hike we started from the Walhalla Fish Hatchery. A more precise marker, now called Commissioner's Rock was inscribed in 1813.  It's location is still disputed.  The 35th parallel official border is 230 ft downstream.   It was a great 9 mile hike following the East Fork and Chattooga River.