Black Rock State Park - Clayton, GA

Thursday, May 10, 2012 - a georgous day for a hike in the Georgia Mountains.  Met group as usual at KKPOA Event parking area and car pooled to Walhalla to meet another group.  There were 19 of us today for this hike to Black Rock.  It was a fairly easy to moderate 3.3 mile section and then another mile up and back on another trail in the park.

Overlook area in park before we started on trail

 Elevated 3,480

Solomon's Seal

Spiderwort's

Wild Azalea's

Spider Tree



Our picnic at the end of the trail.  Bill (standing on right) trying to find where our 19th hiker went.  Apparently, he stopped on trail earlier and got left behind. 

Sloan Bridge to Upper Whitewater Falls

Thursday, May 3rd - Awesome easy hike today on another Foothills Trail that I've never been on.  Started at Sloan Bridge Picinic Area on 107 and ended up at parking area of upper Whitewater Falls.  A total of 5.5 miles.  The trail accends through Grassy Knob and follows the Chattoga Ridge with several views of Pinnacle Mountain and Greenville area.  Very well maintained trail.  Had a little scare while hiking - I was leading at this point and rounded a corner and ran into another hiker.  It just starrled me a bit.  Thank goodness it was a person!



Small group - but a fun hike!

Always nice to have a helping hand!

View of Lake Joassee

Spooky little fellow on the tree here!

 Our little picinc area - benches build by Girl Scouts.



2nd time around on Canebrake to Laurel Fork Falls

Had such an awesome time last Tuesday on this hike, just had to suffer again.  This is such a beautiful hike I couldn't resist it .  Same hike via boat access to Cranbrake on Lake Jocassee, just a different crowd.  Weather was a bit warm this trip, but I had my bug spray and plenty of water.



We know how to have a good time!

Ready to hit the 6+ miles

The 225-ft suspension bridge over
the Toxaway River

Several of us attempted to count these steps.....my count was 260!



Our hearts are pumping hard at this point.

Best Bud Light I've ever had!

Sharon and Bill cooling off!





During our hike, 5 of our group decided they would supposedly take a shortcut.  There is an old road bed that follows along a short distance of the trail.  The hikers kept going even after being warned to get back on the trail.  It wasn't until after we made it back to the boat that we received a phone call for help.  NEVER leave your group!  Anyway, they made their way to another area of the lake and we found them on our return ride. 

All safe but a bit worried that we wouldn't find them.

We didn't get to see Laurel Falls again because of the lake level, but our Captain took us to see High Falls.  Apparently, during the summer this place is swarmed with boaters, swimmers etc.

Nine Times Preserve Hike

Thursday, February 26

Weather reported clear skies for am and possible rain for late afternoon.....so away 14 of us went.  Today will be a new trail for all.  It's in Pickens County off Hwy 11 and Eastatoee Creek Road. Just a short distance from Hwy 130.  The total hike is only 3 miles in and out with an optional mile on another connection. 

It started off to be an overcast day, and then the rumbling started, then the strikes came, and then the rain.  Only made .5 miles up before an about face. 

The Escape Route......like I new what I was doing! lol

 Yep, the bottom fell out.  I won't depend on the weather man again, I'll just be prepared
 next time and bring at least a rain jacket.

Canebrake to Laure Fork Falls - Another Section of the Foothills Trail

After missing last weeks hiking days, I was anxious to get back on the trail this am.  Even though it was 38 degrees when I left this morning, I wasn't going to let that stop me.  Met Pam and we traveled just a few miles on Hwy 11 to Devils Fork State Park where we were meeting our group.  This particular hike today was only accessible by a 30 minute boat ride up the Toxaway River on Lake Jocassee, unless you were doing a through hike and was already on the trail.




Just a little chilly!




Jocassee was down about 25 feet which made for a different view of the shore line.



This 5.8 mile was my first "strenuous hike" according to the guide book.  It was well worth it.  Just shortly after we reach the trail head, we approached a 225 ft. suspension bridge that crosses Toxaway River. 

There were many designated campsites on this section.  It would be neat to do an overnighter some day.  Continuing on we approached "Heartbreak Ridge".  We had .7 miles of wooden steep steps.  Lost count, when I ran out of breath.



A lunch break is definitely in order!



The Mountain Laurel was in bloom all over the area.

We all treated ourselves to a bit of wine, beer and snacks on the boat ride back.  It turn out to be a beautiful, sunny but breezy day....which for me makes a perfect hiking day.



Three Forks - Georgia

A bitter cold morning to start....off with the summer Keens and on with my LaSportiva Hiking Shoes, long pants and vest.  Burr....it was cold this am.  Meet the group in Walhalla and headed north on Hwy 28 just to the Georgia State Line.  The trail is just off the highway, no signs or blazes on this one.  Glad we had some hikers that new the way.  It was a moderate 7 mile up and back hike with the last 3/4 mile to the river being a very difficult dog leg of a hike.  It was worth it though....



Off to a great start.....

A great group to hike with!

Three Forks Creek

All three pictures are all different creeks merging into one

Nice area for our break and picnic......



Virginia Hawkins Falls

The waterfall we found today is located on the Foothills Trail in upper Pickens County in the Laurel Fork Heritage Preserve. It use to be called Double Falls until 2004, when it was renamed for Virginia Hawkins, a longtime Foothills Trail Conference executive secretary. 

Couldn't ask for a better weather day.....reached around 65 and a cool breeze for most of the way.

There were 20 of us that gathered for an great 7 mile hike.  Our first stop was to see the waterfall.  It was only about 40 mins into the hike.

After a few photo moments, we headed off this spur trail and continued on following the Laurel Fork Creek for several miles.  Followed a road bed for awhile and then jumped on the trail.  Numerous areas to play in the creek as well as more photo of the wild flowers.

One of many bridges in the area



Always interesting to question where we are

Another Trillum

NOTES: 

From Holly Springs Mart at intersection of Hwy 11 and 178.  Head NW 7 miles on US 178.  Just pass the Rocky Bottom Bridge, turn left onto travel road for about 4 miles.  Limited parking here.   Trail head is well marked.