12/23/08 Burrells Ford – Chattooga River, SC/GA

Burrells Ford – Chattooga River Trail – Foothills Trail – SC / GA – December 23, 2008

Today’s hike was on the Chattooga River Trail and Foothills Trail , on the border of GA and SC. Starting at Burrells Ford, we hiked the Foothills Trail to King Creek Falls and then connected with the Chattooga River Trail and hiked northward to Spoon Auger Falls and on up to the East Fork of the Chatooga River. Total hiking distance – 6.5 miles

HIKERS – John Bellamy, June Bellamy, Karen Brown, Cliff DeWitt, Mitch DeWitt, Pam Euliss, Bill Hunt, Jack Jacobi, Leigh Ann Miller, Bruce O’Connor, Jeanne O’Connor, Donna Presley, Tony Presley, Vic Robson, Dan Ross, Doug Russell and Pom Sinnock.

TRAIL INFO. – Parking at Burrells Ford, you have access to both the Foothills Trail and the Chattooga River Trail. Today, we did a partial loop hike using each of the trails. King Creek Falls is on a short side trail off of the Foothills Trail and Spoon Auger Falls is on a short side trail off of the Chattoga River Trail. We also hiked up the Chattooga River Trail toward Ellicot Rock.

Directions: From Walhalla, take SC 28 north to SC 107. Turn right onto SC 107 and follow for 17 miles to Forest Service road 708 (Burrells Ford Road). Proceed down FS 708 for 2.6 miles. Park in the campground parking lot on the left. You will see a trail sign and restroom there.

Another great day for a hike! Partly cloudy and cold! Temperatures ranged from 25-37 degrees F. Hiking distance – 6.5 miles.

FLOWERS IN BLOOM: – zero

BIRDS IDENTIFIED: Belted Kingfisher, American Crow, Merganser, Pileated Woodpecker and Black-capped Chickadee

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Deck the Halls!
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Crossing the footbridge across King Creek.
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The start of the side trail to King Creek Falls.
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You can manuver over or under this obstacle.
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Icy King Creek Falls!
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Icicles everywhere!
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Crossing the creek over an icy log. .
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Crossing a foot-bridge on the Chattooga River Trail near Burrells Ford.
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Arriving at Spoon Auger Falls!
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Spoon Auger Falls.
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Mitch explores the icy rocks at Spoon Auger!
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More ice!
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Typical view along the Chattooga River Trail.
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Beaver action along the river.
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Crossing the East Fork of the Chattooga River.
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Lunchtime!
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The OFHC gang for today’s hike. (sitting l-r) Doug Russell and Bruce O’Connor. (standing l-r) Jack Jacobi, Karen Brown, June Bellamy, John Bellamy, Vic Robson, Pom Sinnock, Jeanne O’Connor, Mitch DeWitt, Dan Ross, Leigh Ann Miller, Pam Euliss, Cliff DeWitt, Bill Hunt, Donna Presley and Tony Presley.