Chauga River Waterfalls

Friday morning, we had our usual breakfast and then headed to Oconee County and Chau Ram Park.  It was just a short hike down the road to see Ramsey Creek Falls.

The rocks were icy so we had to stay behind the fence.

After some pictures, we walked over to the Point with a nice view of Chauga River.

We then crossed the swinging bridge and walked up to Pump House Rapids on the opposite side of teh river.

The swinging bridge was just downstream of here.

After some pictures, we got on the Blue Trail and passed Lost Paddle Rapids.

Just past here was Jump Off Rock.

The trail continued along the river a short ways then looped around just before the bridge on US-76.  I made a short detour on the Red Trail up to the Scout Cabin.  Only the chimney remained and it looked like it was converted to an amphitheater.

We took the Orange Trail to head back down to the river at V Rapid, which was shaped like a V.

Just upstream of here was Canopener Rapid.

The loop completed just past here and we headed back to the car.

Next, we headed into Sumter National Forest on Spy Rock Road and parked at the gated FR-748C.  At the end of the road, we picked up Riley Moore Falls Trail and followed that another half-mile to Riley Moore Falls.

The beach area at the base made a nice spot to relax and have lunch.

Alex dug a little burrow in the sand and took a nap.  After our break, we headed back.

From here, we got on Brasstown Creek Road and drove to the trailhead at the end.  It was a short hike to a split and we first went left.  A bridge crossed Brasstown Creek so we didn't have to wade to reach Little Brasstown Falls. 

After a couple pictures, we went back to the split and headed down to Brasstown Falls.

The upper section of the waterfall is a long series of cascades.

Just below this is a 20-foot veil.  A new overlook provides a view of the two upper sections of the falls.

The trail got steep after this point with a ladder that Alex had trouble with, but he found a way around.

The trail ended at the base of the lowest section, a narrow chute.

This is one of my favorite South Carolina waterfalls.  Each section would be a nice waterfall on its own, but all together, it's just great.

On the drive back, we stopped at Brasstown Creek Gathering Place for barbecue dinner and then headed back to Pickens to start packing up.