July 18, 2017
| Today’s hike was near the border of NC and SC. First, we hiked the short trail to Whitewater Falls. It has recently re-opened after the forest fire last fall destroyed the staircase. Next, we took the very short drive down to the Bad Creek parking lot for the access trail to the Foothills Trail. We hiked to spectacular Lower Whitewater Falls.
HIKERS: John Anderson, Jenny Bell, Mike Bell, Joe Collins, Pam Euliss, Bethany Hedges, Jenna Hensley, Dick Metzgar, Terre Pratt, Tony Presley, Vic Robson, Carole Wintle and Jack Wintle. TRAIL INFO: The Foothills Trail offers two of the most spectacular Waterfalls in the U.S.A. They are located near the border of NC and SC. The 411 ft. Upper Falls is most viewed since it is only a half-mile hike from the parking lot. The 400 ft. Lower Falls requires a hike of 4+ miles round trip if hiked from the Bad Creek Trail access. We did a loop hike to the lower falls by hiking out on the Bad Creek Foothills access trail and hiking back on the forest service road to the Bad Creek parking area. Both waterfalls have a nice observation deck for great views. DIRECTIONS: 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. The Bad Creek Project access is about a half-mile south of the entrance to Whitewater Falls. Another great day for a hike! Sunny with temperatures ranging from 70 to 78 degrees F. – Terrain is rated moderately difficult due to elevation change. Distance hiked – 5+ miles. WILDFLOWERS IN BLOOM: Rosebay Rohodendron, Bear’s Foot, Wild Hydrangea, Yellow Stargrass, St. Andrews Cross, Queen Ann’s Lace, Spiderwort, Cinquefoil, Coreopsis, Black-eyed Susan and Beggar Lice. BIRDS IDENTIFIED: Junco, Oven bird, Broadwing Hawk, Eastern Towhee, Carolina Wren, Goldfinch and Nuthatch.
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