March 12, 2013
| Today’s hike was on the Chattooga River Trail and Foothills Trail In SC near the GA border from Burrell’s Ford southward to the Big Bend Falls area and back including a portion of the Foothills Trail and King Creek Falls.
HIKERS – John Bellamy, June Bellamy, Phil Brownrigg, Bill Hunt, Bruce O’Connor, Donna Presley, Tony Presley, Vic Robson, Dan Ross, Pom Sinnock , Geri Whitaker and Carole Wintle. TRAIL INFO. – The hike from Burrell’s Ford to Big Bend follows closely along the Chattooga River and has rolling with some rocky terrain but very manageable. About three fourths of the way back, we took the right fork onto the Foothills Trail and visited beautiful King Creek Falls. Overall, a beautful hike with only moderate difficulty. Directions: From the junction of SC 28 and SC 107, 8 miles northwest of the town of Walhalla, go north on SC 107 for 9 miles. Here turn left (west) onto Forest Road 708, Burrell’s Ford Road, and go 2 miles to the parking area near the Chatooga River Another great day for a hike! Fair and cool. Temperatures ranged from 38 – 50 degrees F. Total distance – 7 mi. FLOWERS IN BLOOM: Trailing Arbutus and Halberd Leaved Violet. BIRDS IDENTIFIED: American Crow, Wood Peewee, White-breasted Nuthatch, Phoebe and Carolina Wren. |
 Parking at Burrell’s Ford. |
 After rain the evening before, the “Wild and Scenic” Chattooga River was running strong!. |
 Another great day for a hike! |
 We had to take the Hi-water bypass since the river was up over the trail in this spot. |
 This is a beautiful shoal just above Big Bend Falls. |
 Our lunch spot was on this rock ledge out in the river! |
 The violent rapids at our lunch spot! |
 The trail passes by several nice rock outcrops. |
 Crossing a side creek on the footbridge. |
 On the return trip, we took the right turn onto the Foothills Trail. |
 A short side trail leads to King Creek Falls. |
 The falls was magnificent today!. |
 “Angus” enjoys the water just below King Creek Falls. |
 The OFHC gang for today’s hike! (l-r) Vic Robson, Carole Wintle, Donna Presley, Bruce O’Connor, Pom Sinnock, Bill Hunt, Phil Brownrigg, Geri Whitaker, June Bellamy, John Bellamy, Dan Ross and Tony Presley. |
SEE BELOW FOR VIDEO AND MANY MORE PHOTOS!