OCCASIONALLY IT BECOMES NECESSARY TO CHANGE THE PLANNED HIKE AT THE LAST MINUTE. PLEASE BE SURE TO CHECK THE WEBSITE ON THE DAY OF THE HIKE

TUESDAY NOVEMBER 10, 2026

Description: BLACK ROCK STATE PARK, CLAYTON GA

The link below is for Tennessee Rock and Springhouse trails at Black Rock SP, but we are not going there. Instead we are doing James E. Edmonds trail. Trailhead is the same for either trail so all the instructions to get there are unchanged. All trails says it’s a 7 mile hike and “This hiking trail is absolutely stunning and the effort is well worth it. It is particularly beautiful after rainfall when the streams are full and there are many small waterfalls to admire along the way. The trail is quite challenging, with a lot of steep inclines and declines, as well as many roots and rocks to navigate. If you prefer a shorter hike, still go and instead do the Tennessee Rock trail.

See link for more details.

Directions: (GPS: 34.907136, -83.411997) Meet, pool and depart as usual from KKEPA at 830A and/or Walhalla at 9A. From there head NW 0.9 mi on SC 28. Turn left on Maple, which becomes Coffee Rd. Continue 12 mi then go right (NW) on SC76. Continue N for 23 mi to Clayton. Go N on US441 for about 3 mi. Turn left into Black Rock State Park. Follow the park road to the ranger station which has restrooms. There is a $5 per vehicle fee.
Expect to return by 330PM.

Directions: Click here for direction

THURSDAY NOVEMBER 12, 2026

Description: OPOSSUM CREEK & FALLS/ Lower Chattooga

Most of this moderate 5 mile hike ambles along a pleasant, forest service trail shaded by an assortment of hardwoods and bordered by many seasonal wildflowers The trail follows the delightful Camp Branch for most of its noisy journey to the Chattooga River. Near the river, head left and follow about a quarter mile upstream along the beautiful Opossum Creek to its idyllic falls which tumble over a steep cliff in two major drops for a total descent of more than 100ft. There is one water crossing just before the falls that can be a bit tricky if the water is high. A short scramble through its gateway rockery provides a memorable close up encounter. Returning from the falls we go 0.2 miles upstream on the Chattooga to a usually sunny rock shelf for a riverside lunch. Total elevation gain is about 800 ft. Wear bright orange if you have it.

Directions: (GPS: 34.7736, -83.3048) Meet and pool as usual. Depart KKEPA at 8:30 AM and/or Warther’s in Walhalla at 9:00 AM. Head north on SC28. Within a mile, turn left, west, at Maple St. It becomes Coffee Rd. Follow for about 11 miles to US76. Turn right, go north for 13 miles. Turn left, west, onto Damascus Church Rd (OC S96) at the Long Creek Fire Station. Go about a mile then sharp right onto Battlecreek Rd (SC37). Continue about 2 miles and turn right on Turkey Ridge Rd (FS755) (sign often missing). Go 2.2 miles to the posted trailhead on the left. Park just beyond on the right. No fees or facilities after Walhalla. Expect a 230P return.

See below link for complete details.

Directions: Click here for direction

SEPTEMBER 14 – 17, 2027

Description: FALL 2027 OUTING at UNICOI STATE PARK in GA

We are returning to the Unicoi State Park and Lodge in GA for our Fall 2027 Hiking Outing from September 14 – 17, 2027!  Unicoi is unique.  It is a large lodge with many hiking and non-hiking activities available.  It also features waterfalls that you can walk to and is close to Helen, GA which will be celebrating Octoberfest at that time (they start celebrating in September and go thru mid-October).   Plus it is a short drive away. All are welcome and encouraged to attend this popular event.   

Helen GA is a German themed town with lots of great German restaurants, gift shops, and a giant hall for Octoberfest.   We will go there to celebrate one night.

There are many different lodging options at Unicoi.  The rooms in the main lodge have WiFi, TV, and mini-refrigerators.  All cabins have kitchenettes but no WiFi.  The barrel cabins have satellite TV.  All cabins are dog friendly for a $50/stay fee.  There is a campground nearby for the hearty folks among us.

Please let Susan Hehir know if you sign up so that she can send you the Fungenda and let you know if we have to reschedule this.  Susan can be reached at suehehir@icloud.com.  We will reschedule this outing if heavy rain is in the forecast.  

Room Rates:  Lodge rooms start at $169.  There are also 2 and 3 BRM pet-friendly cabins available for $379 and $389 respectively.   The hearty folks can stay at a campsite for $50. 

Cancellation Policy:  You cancel without penalty until 3 days before checkin.  After that you forfeit your deposit.  A deposit of the first night’s room rate is due at the time the reservation is made. Payment for the full stay is due at check in.

For Reservations:  Call 706 878-2201.  Or book online at: https://unicoilodge.com  There is no group rate because we need the flexibility to cancel if lots of rain is in the forecast and that is not possible with the group rate.

Hiking Plan:  During the outing, we will meet early each morning and arrange car-pools for two hiking options (long and short). Refer to the “Special Hikes” section of our web site for a description of some hikes.   They will be updated by late August 2027.

Other Activities:  Non-hiking spouses can rent a kayak or SUP, enjoy the beach, learn how to fly fish, go zip-lining, or shopping in Helen, GA.   There is a nice fire pit and 3 different restaurants onsite.

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BRR Library

Planning to do some hiking on your own?  You can borrow a book from our hiking library.  The library offers many different books about hiking in NC, SC, and GA.  From our home page click on “Resources”.  The bottom half of the page lists the different books available.  A big thanks to those who donated to the library:  Nancy Carkhuff, Michael Gauderer, Bill Ebeling, and others.  To request a book contact the librarian at: brrhiker@gmail.com.