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Northeast Georgia HikingNew & Old Friends Who Like to Hike

June 30, 2015

Foothills Trail - Whitewater Falls - NC / SC

Trail information

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. 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! - Terrain is rated moderately difficult due to elevation change. Distance hiked - 5+ miles. WILD

Conditions

Sunny with temperatures ranging 58 to 74 degrees F.

Hikers (14)

  • Geri Barrios
  • Wayne Barrios
  • PHIL BROWNRIGG
  • Joe Collins
  • Chuck Crisp
  • Greta Driggers
  • Jim Driggers
  • Mike Jones
  • Bob Magee
  • Jeanne O'Connor
  • Tony Presley Sandy Robson
  • Vic Robson
  • Malivia Swanson
  • Carole Wintle

Flowers in bloom

Resebay Rohodendron, Wild Hydrangea, Yellow Stargrass, St. Andrews Cross, Queen Ann's Lace, Spiderwort, Wood Aster, Coreopsis, Black-eyed Susan and Beggar Lice

Birds identified

Oven bird, Hooded Warbler, Eastern Towhee, Carolina Wren, Goldfinch and Nuthatch

Photos (14)

  • Trail sign at the parking area.
  • A beautiful walk up to the Whitewater Falls viewing area!
  • The upper viewing area.
  • Beautiful Whitewater Falls!
  • We walked down the staircase to the observation deck.
  • View from the deck
  • We take the short drive down to the Bad Creek parking area and hike the access trail to the Foothills Trail.
  • Crossing the footbridge over the Whitewater River.
  • Bench honoring John Garton and Skip Stills for their conservation efforts in this area!
  • Wild Hydrangea!
  • Spectacular Lower Whitewater Falls!
  • The cave at the top of the falls - no access without extreme risk to life!
  • Lunchtime on the observation deck for Lower Whitewater Falls.
  • The OFHC gang for today's hike. (l-r) Bob Magee, Huck Phillips, Greta Driggers, Jim Driggers, Monthian Phillips, Pam Euliss, Wayne Barrios, Geri Barrios, Stephen Gales, Susan Scott & "Angus", Dick Metzgar, Vic Robson and Tony Presley .