| Today’s hike started at the Bad Creek Project (Duke Power) trail parking lot. We took the connector trail down to the Foothills Trail and hiked to the Thompson River just below the bridge for lunch on the rocks . Hiking distance 7.2 miles round trip.
HIKERS – John Bellamy, June Bellamy, Greta Driggers, Jim Driggers, Pam Euliss, Dave Hinson, Bill Hunt, Rachel Klein, Dick Metzgar, Bruce O’Connor, Jeanne O’Connor, Vic Robson, Dan Ross, Lynne Saporito, David Whitaker and Geri Whitaker. TRAIL INFORMATION – This portion of the Foothills Trail has some very significant hills on a well-maintained path. A very nice destination of the beautiful boulder-filled Thompson River. There are lots of nice wildflowers and views. Today’s hiking distance – 7.2 miles with large elevation changes – somewhat strenuous. 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 and look for the Bad Creek Project on the right. Drive up to the gate and it will open automatically if it is not already open. Drive down this road for a half mile or so and you will see a sign for the Foothills Trail access. Turn left and proceed about a quarter mile to the parking lot. Another great day for a hike! Partly to mostly sunny and warm. Temperatures ranged from 62 to 78 degrees F. FLOWERS IN BLOOM: Blackberry, Dewberry, Witch Hobble, Black Locust, Purple Violet, Birdfoot Violet, Sweet White Violet, Dog Hobble, Catesby’s Trillium, Jack-in-Pulpit, Star Chickweed, Cinquefoil, Lizard’s Tail, Golden Alexander, Rattlesnake Weed, Yellow Star Grass, Robin’s Plantain, Solomon’s Seal, Twistedstalk, Canada Lily, Mountain Laurel, Dwarf Iris, Solomon’s Plume, Yellowroot, Bluet, Wild Ginger, Cross Vine, Toad Flax and Hop Clover. BIRDS IDENTIFIED: Yellow Breasted Chat, Yellow Billed Cuckoo, Ruby Throated Hummingbird, Cardinal, Hooded Warbler, Tufted Titmouse, Carolina Wren, Oven Bird, Towhee, Red Eyed Vireo, Black Throated Green Warbler, Pileated Woodpecker, Crow, Black Throated Blue Warbler, Rose Breasted Grosbeak, Black Capped Chickadee, Chipping Sparrow, Northern Flicker, Summer Tananger, Blue Jay, Pine Warbler, Red Winged Blackbird, Cedar Waxwing, Kentucky Warbler, American Redstart. OTHER FAUNA: Gartersnake, Blacksnake, Ring-necked Snake and Blue-tailed Skink. |
 The Bad Creek Trail access parking lot. |
 Crossing the Whitewater River. |
 The Whitewater River. |
 Trail sign at the Whitewater River and Bill Hunt’s grandaughter! |
 Some of today’s wildflowers (top left then clockwise) Rattlesnake Weed, Dwarf Crested Iris, Yellow Stargrass, Mountain Laurel. |
 Another great day for a hike! |
 The boulder-filled Thompson River. |
 Footbridge over the Thompson River. |
 Lunchtime on the Thompson River! |
 Lots of nice river views along this hike. |
 Looking back up toward Lower Whitewater falls from the park south of the trailhead. |
 Looking over Lake Jocassee from the park. |
 The OFHC gang for today’s hike. (l-r) Bill Hunt, Dick Metzgar, June Bellamy, John Bellamy, Geri Whitaker, Bruce O’Connor, Dan Ross, Rachel Klein, Jeanne O’Connor, Pam Euliss, Dave Hinson, Lynne Saporito, Vic Robson, Greta Driggers, Jim Driggers and David Whitaker. |