April 2, 2013
| Today’s hike was on the Chattooga River Trail near the GA/SC border starting at the Highway 28 bridge on the SC side parking lot and hiking northward to Lick Log Creek Falls and Pigpen Falls. 8+ miles round trip.
HIKERS – John Bellamy, June Bellamy, Phil Brownrigg, Bill Hunt, Bob Magee, Wanda Miller, Wayne Miller, Bruce O’Connor, Jeanne O’Connor, Donna Presley, Tony Presley, Vic Robson, Lynne Saporito, Jack Wintle and Carole Wintle. TRAIL INFO. – A beautiful trail along the Chattooga River. We took the lower fisherman’s trail option since it keeps you closer to the river. It merges with the upper trail after a couple of miles as you hike to Lick Log Creek and falls. The trail features some hills but also lots of flat hiking. Directions: The Highway 28 (Russell) Bridge is located on SC highway 28 between Walhalla, SC and Highlands, NC. The Chattooga River is the border river of GA/SC. From Clayton, GA take Warwoman Road and drive to the intersection of Highway 28 and turn right and go to the SC side of the 28 bridge and the parking lot is on the left. Approx. 14-15 miles from Clayton. Another great day for a hike! Fair and cool. Temperatures ranged from 38 – 62 degrees F. Total distance – 8+ mi. Moderate to easy. FLOWERS IN BLOOM: Halberd Leaved Violet, Trailing Arbutus, Round Leaf Yellow Violet, Purple Toadshade Trillium and Bloodroot. BIRDS IDENTIFIED: EASTERN TOWHEE, CHIPPING SPARROW, WHITE THROATED SPARROW, DARK EYED JUNCO, CAROLINA WREN, WHITED BREASTED NUTHATCH, TUFTED TITMOUSE, CAROLINA CHICKADEE, PILEATED WOODPECKER. . |
 The trailhead at the SC side of Hwy 28 bridge. |
 The nice flat start of today’s hike. |
 Nice views all along the Chattooga! |
 Early into the hike we find a nice little waterfall. |
 Another great day for a hike! |
 Wildflower of the Week! Bloodroot |
 About two thirds of the way out, we cross Ira Branch. |
 Here we see Lick Log Falls through the vegetation. |
 We reach our lunchtime destination – Pigpen Falls! |
 Beautiful Pigpen Falls! |
 Lunchtime at the falls! |
 Purple Toadshade Trillium. |
 A nice deep water area on the Chattooga. |
 The OFHC gang for today’s hike. (l-r) Tony Presley, Bruce O’Connor, Carole Wintle, Jack Wintle, Bob Magee, Lynne Saporito & “Angus”, Bill Hunt, Jeanne O’Connor, Donna Presley, John Bellamy, June Bellamy,Wayne Miller, Vic Robson, Wanda Miller and Phil Brownrigg. |
SEE BELOW FOR VIDEO AND MANY MORE PHOTOS!