My first hike in South Carolina! This is a trip to Opossum Creek Trail in Oconee County, a scenic hike that winds through a beautiful forest before reaching both the Chattooga River and Opossum Creek Falls. With mild temperatures, low humidity, and clear skies, it turned out to be one of those perfect late spring days before the onslaught of heat and humidity that summer in the southeast brings.
One of the first things that stood out was the forest itself. The trail passes beneath a thick canopy, with ferns covering large sections of the forest floor and rhododendrons just starting to bloom. Growing up in Chicago, forests like this only existed in storybooks so there is still something special about walking through places that feel storybook-like.
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The trail was in great condition and easy to follow. It is well maintained and just a tad overgrown in a few spots. Along the way, I encountered the usual collection of roots, rocks, and spider webs. It was super quiet too, creating the kind of solitude that is difficult to find on popular trails.
Eventually I reached Chattooga River, and it quickly became one of my favorite parts of the hike. The combination of a sandbar, large rock outcroppings, the crystal-clear water, with a dense forest backdrop created spectacular scenery. That spot is a great place to sit, relax, and maybe eat a lunch!
Beyond the river, the trail continues to Opossum Creek Falls, which was flowing well thanks to recent rains. Reaching some of the better viewpoints required a little scrambling, but the effort was well worth it. The waterfall sits in a beautiful forest setting and proved to be one of the more enjoyable falls I’ve visited in quite some time.
By the end of the hike, I knew I had picked a good trail for my first South Carolina hike. Between the unique forest, the outstanding river views, and the waterfall itself, Opossum Creek Trail delivered far more than I expected. It’s definitely a hike I would recommend and one I plan to revisit in the future.
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stats
Length: 5.54 mi
Avg. Pace: 29:02
Elev. Gain: 1,138 ft
Calories: 1,303
Moving Time: 2:40:56
Total Time: 2:46:08
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