December 20, 2016
Yellow Branch Falls Trail and Blueridge Railroad Trail - SC
Today's hike was near Walhalla, SC at Yellow Branch Falls Trail followed by nearby Stumphouse Tunnel Park and Issaqueena Falls and the Blueridge Railroad Trail
Directions
From Walhalla SC, take Hwy. 28 north for about 7 miles and look for the Yellow Branch Falls sign and turn left into the parking lot. Stumphouse Park is across the highway just beyond the Yellow Branch Sign turn right. Another great day for a hike! Mostly cloudy and cool with temperatures ranging from 38-42 degrees F
Conditions
Mostly cloudy and cool with temperatures ranging from 38-42 degrees F.
Hikers (10)
- John Anderson
- Joe Collins
- Bob Magee
- Beth McDonald
- Dick Metzgar
- Dave Norton
- Mary Lu Norton
- Bill Peay
- Tony Presley
- Vic Robson
Birds identified
White-breasted Nuthatch, Carolina Wren, Blue Jay
Photos (14)
The trailhead for today. The trail to the falls is a beautiful woodland trail with orange trail blazes. This bridge was almost a victim of a large tree fall. There are a couple of creek crossings. A bird sighting. Yellow Branch Falls The water level is very low but it is still a beautiful and unique multiple cascading waterfall. Exploring the giant boulders at the bottom of the falls. Our next trail started at nearby Stumphouse Tunnel Park. We did a short excursion into the tunnel then hiked down to Issaqueena Falls and the Blueride Railroad Trail. The start of the Railroad Trail. Walking through the giant cut in the mountain for the railroad. The planned railroad had many tunnels. This old tunnel has a gate to block human entry in order to protect the fragile bat habitat. The OFHC gang for today's hike. (l-r) Tony Presley, Dick Metzgar, Bill Peay, Dave Norton, Vic Robson, Beth McDonald, Mary Lu Norton, Bob Magee, Joe Collins and John Anderson.