March 9, 2010
| Today’s hike was on the Foothills Trail starting at the parking lot for Upper Whitewater Falls hiking up to the falls and down to the bottom of the falls on the trail and across the iron footbridge and on down the Foothills Trail to the side trail leading us down to Lower Whitewater Falls. These waterfalls are two of the most magnificent in the Eastern U.S. The hike is challenging and strenuous on each end and nice and flat along the river in the middle portion. 8 miles total.
HIKERS – Phil Brownrigg, Pam Euliss, Dick Metzgar, Bill Hunt, Bruce O’Connor, Jeanne O’Connor, Donna Presley, Tony Presley, Joe Raguckas, John Ray, Vic Robson, Dan Ross, David Whitaker and Geri Whitaker. TRAIL INFORMATION – A beautiful portion of the Foothills between Upper and Lower Whitewater Falls. Strenuous hike on each end and careful footing is required as you cross the Whitewater river below the upper falls. We rate the hike strenuous due to lots of elevation changes. Directions: From Seneca SC, take Scenic Highway 11 past Tamassee, to Salem, SC continue to the intersection SC 11 and SC 130. Turn left onto 130 and drive approx. 10 miles. Look for the entrance to the Whitewater Falls Recreation Area and parking lot. Another great day for a hike! Partly Cloudy with temperatures ranging from the low 50’s to upper 60’s degrees F. Hiking distance – 8 miles. FLOWERS IN BLOOM: none BIRDS IDENTIFIED: Pileated Woodpecker, Carolina Wren, Phoebe, Carolina Chickadee, Hairy Woodpecker, Nuthatch, Crow, Pine Warbler. |
 Today’s trailhead in the southern edge of NC. |
 A view as we walk up to Whitewater Falls. |
 Magnificent Whitewater Falls – 411 ft. |
 Hiking down the Foothills Trail to the Whitewater River below the falls. |
 Huge boulders and the iron footbridge at the river crossing. |
 We cross the bridge and head to Lower Whitewater Falls. |
 We cross Corbin Creek. |
 A typical view along the beautiful Whitewater River. |
 We took the side trail down to Lower Whitewater Falls. |
 The observation deck at Lower Whitewater Falls. |
 Majestic Lower Whitewater Falls! |
 Lunchtime at Lower Whitewater Falls. |
 Another great day for a hike! |
 The OFHC gang for today’s hike. (l-r) John Ray, David Whitaker, Geri Whitaker, Dick Metzgar, Phil Brownrigg, Donna Presley, Jeanne O’Connor, Bruce O’Connor, Joe Raguckas, Dan Ross, Vic Robson, Bill Hunt, Pam Euliss and Tony Presley. |