Author Archives: Karen Balcerzak
Chau Ram
October 22, 2020
Ten hikers enjoyed 4 miles on a beautiful day Chau Ram County Park.
Moonshine and Confusion Falls
October 15, 2020
Thirteen eager hikers explore Moonshine and Confusion falls. Creek crossing cables a little wobbly, but all (including 2 pups) made it across safely.
Panthertown East May 14, 2020
5 hikers hiked 8 miles with lots of smiles. The rare painted trilliums were a sight to behold.
Long Creek May 12, 2020
WATTACOO MAY 7, 2020
After getting turned away from Jones Gap State park, five hearty hikers decided to hike nearby Wattacoo in Ashmore Heritage Preserve. Hiked a moderate 4.5 miles, but all left with tons of smiles.
Coldspring, Jones Gap and Tom Miller
Five hikers experienced beautiful foliage, stunning waterfalls and orange salamanders. These beautiful salamanders are young eastern newts. They are called Red Efts at the juvenile stage.
Medlin Mountain to Burrell’s Ford
February 4, 2020
Fourteen hikers set out under cloudy skies to do over 9.5 miles. Beautiful views of the Cahatooga River and Spoonauger Falls filled all of us with plenty of smiles.
Eastatoe
January 30, 2020
Twelve hikers hiked 5.5 miles, averaging easy to moderate. A beautiful hike lead to a pristine mountain gorge, falls, and bold stream that supports native Rainbow Trout.
Lower Whitewater Falls from Bad Creek
1/26/20
Nineteen hikers hiked 6.5 under sunny skies. Water was plentiful in the river and waterfall.
Yellow Branch
January 23, 2020
11 hikers hiked four miles under sunny skies. Beautiful Isaqueena Falls never disappoints!!
Twin Falls
January 21, 2020
Cold temperatures could not keep 14 eager hikers away. Under sunny skies, all enjoyed 4 miles of trails with views of an old logging railroad and beautiful twin falls.
Hawkins- Laurel
January 16, 2020
Twenty-two hikers hiked over 8.5 miles under sunny skies. Seven bridge crossings, bold streams and two beautiful waterfalls made for a delightful day.
Wattacco
January 2, 2020
Eight hikers braved the cold ti hike 5 miles in the Ashmore Heritage Preserve.
Round Mountain
Raven Rock
November 21, 2019
Seven hikers did 6.5 miles at Raven Rock with an extension onto the Palmetto Trail.
Long Creek
Big Bend East
November 19, 2019
Large fallen trees no longer on path did lay. New bridge helped twenty-six hikers cross shallow ravine along the way. Another beautiful day to hike and play. (6.8 mi)
Tamassee Knob
November 12, 2019
After a rain-delayed start, eight hikers did depart along trail with glorious fall hues enveloped under sky of blue. (4 mi)
Big Rock Summit in Nine Times Forrest
November 14, 2019
Eighteen explored new trails, backtracked once, no more fails. Met Wes Cooler, Nine Times is his game. He helped set our hearts for the area aflame. (5.5 mi)
Opossum Falls 11/05/2019
Twenty three hikers enjoyed a beautiful day hiking 5 miles along the Chattooga River and Opossum Falls.
Horsepasture Rive to Cane Break(Lake Jocassee Trip)
May 7, 2019
Pinnacle Mountain-West (April 11, 2019)
Eighteen hikers braved a lot of fog, trudging through a little more than six miles. Towards the end of our journey the sun finally broke through revealing massive boulders, ancient rock art and flowers galore.
April 11, 2019
Raven Cliff Falls
Twenty two hikers were all smiles as the group did more than eight miles. Our lunch spot could not have been more perfect. Sunshine warmed our faces while we enjoyed the beauty of multiple waterfalls.
April 4, 2019
Lower Whitewater and Coon Branch
April 2, 2019
Twenty-nine hikers came out today. Chestnut-sided Warbler sang along the way. “Please, please, please, pleased to meet’cha” we heard him say as we wandered along the Coon Branch way. Then we carried on another 4 miles to see the majesty of Lower Whitewater Falls. A totally blissful spring day!
Twin Falls
What a beautiful day for twenty-four to explore! Double the delight with two gorgeous waterfalls. We hiked a little over four and the group was clamoring for more. So we tacked on one more mile at Devils Fork State Park. The Oconnee Bells were out in all of their splendor.
March 28, 2019
Laurel Branch
Thirteen hiked more than eight and all agreed the day was great!
March 14, 2019
Chatooga River North from US76
Twas the twelfth day of March, creek crossing too wide, seventeen hearty hikers took it all in stride. Shoes were pulled off, we waded across cause we had a trail to hike at all costs. (6.5 m
March 12, 2019
Cane Creek
Thirteen scrambled sideways, up and down. A barefoot river crossing, caused three hikers to flee. Tree debris just made for more fun.
March 7, 2019
Big Bend East
February 6, 2019
Large Fallen trees across path did lay. Mountain Laurel and other branches were strewn every which way. Thirty seven hikers came out today, in beautiful weather to hike and play.
BlueRidge RR
A Group of eight thought hiking was great. A few raindrops we had to bear, through a little over six miles, we made it through with lots of smiles.
January 29, 2019
Bald Knob on Pinnacle Mountain
January 24, 2019
Fifteen hiked the seven point five over challenging terrain- they continued to strive. On soggy creek crossings, they nearly took a dive, but prevailed in the end feeling really alive!
Four Falls Dupont State Park
January 22, 2019
Waterfall mist twinkled in frozen state on winter branches, beautiful and quite ornate. Nineteen in our merry band, hiked across this cold winter wonderland.
East Fork to Ellicott Rock from Fish Hatchery
Twenty Three hiked East Fork from the Fish Hatch-eree! The rain came early, causing all to hurry. We still managed to hike more than six miles, along beautiful rushing rapids and gently rolling trails.
January 17, 2019
Hawkins-Laurel Valley Falls
After a misguided turn, a shotgun warning and a passenger who left and had trouble re-boarding; the Hawkins-Laurel Falls 8.5 made fifteen hikers feel alive.
January 8, 2019
Winding Stairs and Miuka Falls
Sixteen took a weather gamble to do the scheduled ramble. The hike was quite soggy, but the weather held out for all to frolik about.
January 1, 2019
Oconee Connector
December 27, 2018
Three did the connector, with Carol as the director, to complete 6 miles in all.
LongCreek
Rabun Bald
September 18, 2018
Seventeen started the hike to Rabun Bald. Fifteen went the entire way for views unequalled. (4 miles)