5/31/2016 Opossum Creek Falls Trail – SC

Today’s hike was on the Opossum Creek Falls Trail near Long Creek, SC.

HIKERS – Jenny Bell, Mike Bell, Bob Browe, Phil Brownrigg, Joe Collins, Greta Driggers, Bill Hunt, Dick Metzgar, Jeanne O’Connor, Tony Presley, John Ray and Vic Robson.

TRAIL INFO. – This is a beautiful woodland trail leading down to the Chattooga River and up Opossum Creek to the Falls. The trail is well maintained and the terrain is gradually downhill to the river and then goes up to the falls including some rock hopping across a creek near the falls.

Total hiking distance today – Approximately 5 miles with a moderate to strenuous difficulty level.

Directions: From Clayton, GA: Take highway 76 East to the Chattooga River and continue another couple of miles to Orchard Rd. on the right. Follow this road to the dead end and turn right on Battle Creek Rd. and continue 1 mile to Turkey Ridge Rd. on the right (gravel) Drive 2.3 miles to the trail head parking on the left and right (basically just a wide spot in the road). Walk back up the road about 25 yards and you will see the trail to the right (marked).

From Westminster, SC: 1. drive west on US 76 for 13.3 miles and turn left onto Damascus Church Road (Oconee County S-37-96). Long Creek Fire Station will be on your right after this turn. 2. Drive 0.9 mile and turn right onto Battle Creek Road (Oconee County S-37-102). 3. Drive 1.9 miles and turn right onto Turkey Ridge Road (FS 755, which is gravel). There is a sign for Opossum Creek Falls. 4. Drive 2.3 miles to the trail head parking on the left and right (basically a wide spot in the road). Walk back up the road about 25 yards and you will see the trail to the right (marked)

Another great day for a hike! Mostly fair and warm with temperatures ranging from 68 to 80 degrees F.

WILDFLOWERS: Indian Pink, White Milkweed, Devil’s Bit, Galax, Wild Hydrangea, Spiderwort, Carolina Rhododendron, Woodland Pholx, Flowering Spurge, American Euonymus, Indian Cucumber Root, Arrow Leaf Ginger and Daisy Fleabane.

BIRDS IDENTIFIED: Pileated Woodpecker, Cardinal, Chestnut-sided Warbler, Crow, Blue Jay, Blue-headed Vireo, Oven Bird, Carolina Wren, Chipping Sparrow.

OTHER FAUNA – Box Turtle

Parking on Turkey Ridge Road.

Walking back up the road to the trailhead on the right.

Early into the hike, we come to a significant blowdown.

Summertime wildflowers are beginning to bloom!

We meet a nice Box Turtle on the trail.

We arrive at the Chattooga River where Opossum Creek joins the river.

Walking up from the river to the falls, we rock hop across a tricky spot.

Absolutely beautiful “Opossum Creek Falls”

Back down to our lunch spot on the Chattooga River!

The OFHC gang for today’s hike. (l-r)Bill Hunt, Greta Driggers, Joe Collins, Vic Robson, John Ray, Dick Metzgar, Bob Browe, Mike Bell, Phil Brownrigg, Jenny Bell, Jeanne O’Connor and Tony Presley.