4/16/2019 – Opossum Creek Falls Trail – Long Creek, SC

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

HIKERS – Jenny Bell, Mike Bell, Ray Clark, Joe Collins, Bob Drake, Jo Drake, Greta Driggers, Jim Driggers, Angela Evans, Brian Ford, Tim Hale, Gary King, Bob Magee, Beth McDonald, Jeanne O’Connor, Bruce O’Connor, Terre Pratt, Tony Presley 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 mild with temperatures ranging from 58 to 70 degrees F.

WILDFLOWERS: Robins Plantain, Phlox, Green and Gold, Cinquefoil, Catesby Trillium, Vaseys Trillium, Red Toadshade Trillium, False Solomon’s Seal, Sweetshrub, Jack-in-the-Pulpit, Foam Flower, Native Azalea, Eastern Bluestar, Indian Cucumber Root, Wild Geranium, Halberd Leaf Violet, Blue Violet, Sweet White Violet, Dog Hobble, Dwarf Iris Verna, Wild Ginger, Dogwood tree, Fraser Magnolia Tree.

BIRDS IDENTIFIED: Pileated Woodpecker, White-breasted Nuthatch, Crow, Blue Jay, Carolina Wren, Chipping Sparrow,

Trailhead marker

Headed for Opossum Creek!

A great wildflower trail!

large tree hugging a boulder.

The trail is mostly downhill to Opossum Creek. We found out that it is uphill coming back!

More wildflower beauty

“Another great day for a hike”

At the bottom, we arrive at the Chattooga River.

We turn left and head up toward Opossum Creek Falls. This is a tricky creek crossing.

Beautiful Opossum Creek Falls

Our lunch spot back down at the Chattooga River.

Native Azalea on the edge of Opossum Creek.

Our path today.

Our GPS Profile

The OFHC gang for today’s hike. (l-r front) Bruce O’Connor, Jeanne O’Connor, Jo Drake, Jenny Bell, Beth McDonald, Andrea Evans, Mike Bell. (l-r standing) Vic Robson, Bob Drake, Joe Collins, Tim Hale, Tony Presley, Jim Driggers, Terre Pratt, Greta Driggers, Gary King, Brian Ford, Bob Magee and Ray Clark.

SEE ALL WILDFLOWERS FROM THIS HIKE! (CLICK HERE)