4/10/2018 – Opossum Creek Trail – Near Long Creek, SC

Hikingsouth Hike of the Week

The Opossum Creek Trail – Near Long Creek, SC

April 10, 2018

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

HIKERS – Mike Bell, Joe Collins, Renee Corbett, Greta Driggers, Jim Driggers, Angela Evans, Tim Hale, Jenna Hensley, Ray Lovett, Bob Magee, Terre Pratt 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 5.3 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 60 to 70 degrees F.

WILDFLOWERS: Yellow Star Grass, Robins Plantain, Rue Anemone, Phlox, Green and Gold, Small Belwort, Catesby Trillium, Red Toadshade Trillium, False Solomon’s Seal, Jack-in-the-Pulpit, Foam Flower, Native Azalea, Wild Geranium, Halberd Leaf Violet, Blue Violet, Sweet White Violet, and Dwarf Iris Verna.

BIRDS IDENTIFIED: Pileated Woodpecker, Cardinal, Chestnut-sided Warbler, Junco, Crow, Blue Jay, Tuffted Titmouse, Carolina Wren, Chipping Sparrow, .

Scroll down for Video and photos

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Our trailhead on Turkey Ridge Rd.
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A beautiful woodland hike down to the Chattooga River.
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A great day for wildflowers. (top left then clockwise – Dwarf Iris Verna, Yellow Star Grass, Sweet White Violet and Wild Geranium..
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Another great day for a hike!
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We arrive at the Chattooga River.
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This is the point where Opossum Creek merges with the Chattooga.
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This trail leads up Opossum Creek to the Falls.
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Wildflowers (top left then clockwise: Native Azalea, Robin’s Plantain, Blue Violet and Phlox.
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Arriving at spectacular Opossum Creek Falls!
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Beautiful Opossum Creek Falls!
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Wildflowers (top left then clockwise) Rue Anemone, Jack-in-the-Pulpit, Foam Flower, Catesby’s Trillium.
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Our elevation profile.
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Our GPS path today out and back.
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The OFHC gang for today’s hike (l-r) Vic Robson, Ray Lovett, Greta Driggers, Bob Magee, Tim Hale, Angela Evans, Renee Corbett, Terre Pratt, Joe Collins, Mike Bell, Jim Driggers and Jenna Hensley.

See Video from this hike below: