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Northeast Georgia HikingNew & Old Friends Who Like to Hike

August 19, 2014

Yellow Branch Falls Trail and Stumphouse Tunnel - SC

This week's hike was on the Yellow Branch Falls Trail followed by the Stumphouse Tunnel hike. The trails are near Walhalla, SC. Total hike today around 4 miles

Trail information

Our first tail today was the Yellow Branch Falls Trail. This is a 3+ mile hike through a beautiful hardwood forest with a beautiful waterfall. There is lots of water on this trail with several creek crossings. The trail is very well-maintained. Next, we visited nearby Stumphouse Tunnel and hiked into the tunnel up to the locked gate at the old Clemson University cheese aging area. This railroad tunnel is the result of an abandoned plan to build a railroad from Charleston, SC to the midwestern U.S. back in the mid 1800's. This Tunnel was planned to cut through Stumphouse Mountain (one mile) but the project was abandoned after 1600 feet were completed. Total hiking distance today - 4 miles with some hills. We rate it moderately easy

Directions

Take Highway 28 northward from Walhalla, SC for almost 6 miles and look for the Yellow Branch Falls sign. Turn left into the park. The Stumphouse Tunnel Park is just beyond the turn-off to Yellow Branch and you turn right onto the Stumphouse Park Rd. Another great day for a hike! Partly cloudy and very warm with temperatures ranging from 71 to 83 degress F

Conditions

Partly cloudy and very warm with temperatures ranging from 71 to 83 degress F.

Hikers (5)

  • Bill Hunt
  • Martha Hunt
  • Cup Gales
  • Stephen Gales
  • Joe Raguckas

Flowers in bloom

Woodland Sunflower, Beggar Lice, Coreopsis, Fly Poison, Joe Pye Weed, Snakeroot, Wood Aster

Birds identified

MOURNING DOVE, PILEATED WOODPECKER, CAROLINA WREN, CHIPPING SPARROW, DARK EYED JUNCO, WHITE BREASTED NUTHATCH, BLACK-CAPPED CHICKADEE, CHESTNUT SIDED WARBLER

Photos (15)

  • Sign at the trailhead.
  • Headed for Yellow Branch Falls!
  • Another great day for a hike!
  • There were quite a few downed trees but the trail has been cleared.
  • The trail takes you through a beautiful hardwood forest!
  • A few of many fungi along the trail!
  • We arrive at Yellow Branch.
  • Exploring the area below the falls.
  • Beautiful and unique Yellow Branch Falls!
  • Next, we move over to the Historic Stumphouse Tunnel.
  • Information
  • The entrance to the tunnel.
  • Inside the tunnel is dark, moist and cool.
  • Looking from inside back to the entrance.
  • The OFHC gang for today's hike. (l-r)Joe Raguckas, Martha Hunt, Stephen Gales, Cup Gales and Bill Hunt, .