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Written by Alec Swayngham
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Thursday, 24 September 2009 00:45 |
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Description: The moderately difficult hike to the falls begins near the Park Headquarters at Jones Gap State Park. After you fill out the hiker registration form, you will hike a section of the Jones Gap Trail, which follows the boulder-strewn Middle Saluda River. After approximately one mile you will turn right on a short spur trail to the falls. Although not as spectacular as some of the other falls in the area, Jones Gap has a character of its own as it descends 50 feet over a staircase of stone. The falls provides a great haunt for salamanders, but you will probably spend more time bird watching.
Height: 50 feet
Length of hike: 1 mile
Time to hike: 30 minutes
Difficulty: Moderate
Creek or river: Tributary of Middle Saluda
USGS Quadrangle: Cleveland
Directions to falls:
1. From Greenville, drive north on US 276 to the junction with SC 11 at Cleveland.
2. Continue on US 276 for 1.4 miles and turn right onto River Falls Road (Greenville County S-23-97). (An F-Mart convenience store is at this intersection.)
3. Drive 4 miles to the main gate of Jones Gap State Park, and turn right into the designated parking area.
3. Walk on the footpath from the parking lot and cross the footbridge over the Middle Saluda. Continue on an asphalt path past the picnic area and the Park Headquarters.
4. Turn left onto the service road and cross a bridge. To the right just past the bridge is the bulletin board that marks the beginning of Jones Gap Trail. Fill out a registration form before you start your hike.
5. At approximately 1 mile you will cross the Middle Saluda River on the John Reid Clonts Memorial Bridge and the trail will bear left.
6. Cross on the stepping stones of the tributary just past Campsite 11 and immediately turn right onto the short spur trail to the falls.
Information: Mountain Bridge Wilderness Area (Jones Gap State Park), 8155 Geer Highway, Cleveland, SC, 29635. 864-836-6115
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Last Updated on Saturday, 26 September 2009 01:41 |
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Written by Alec Swayngham
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Thursday, 24 September 2009 00:40 |
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Description: Although it is only a mile and a half from the rugged area of Raven Cliff Falls, the trail to Moonshine Falls is relatively flat until you reach the falls, where there is a fairly steep descent. The hike is forgotten as you view the water flowing over the edge of a dark rock cliff like a bridal veil and spilling into a pool below. As the name suggests, Moonshine Falls was once the site of some illegal activity - and, who knows, maybe some wild nights around the old campfire. Portions of rusty barrels, which remain in a cave at the base of the falls, provide some local color and food for thought during your stay.
Height: 40 feet
Length of hike: 1.9 miles
Time to hike: 1 hour
Difficulty: Moderate
Creek or river: Tributary of Matthews Creek
USGS Quadrangle: Table Rock
Directions to falls: Due to a property sale, access to Moonshine Falls has been changed. Temporarily you must hike from the Asbury Hills United Methodist Youth Camp on the Asbury Trail to the falls.
Note: Call ahead to get permission to enter and start from within the camp. During the summer when the camp is full, you may not be allowed to use the Asbury Trail. You can contact them at: Asbury Hills United Methodist Youth Camp 150 Asbury Drive, Cleveland, SC, 29635, 864-836-3711, Fax: 864-836-5522, Email:
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Other Information: Mountain Bridge Wilderness Area, 8155 Geer Highway, Cleveland, SC 29635. 864-836-6115
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Last Updated on Saturday, 26 September 2009 01:43 |
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Written by Alec Swayngham
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Thursday, 24 September 2009 00:37 |
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Description: From Jones Gap State Park, you will walk for approximately 0.75 mile on the the Jones Gap Trail. At the junction of the Rainbow Falls Trail, you will cross the Saluda River. From there you will climb approximately 1000 feet over a distance of 1.6 miles, but the bottom view of the falls makes this strenuous hike worth the effort. Rainbow Falls drops 100 feet over steep walls streaked black and tan due to layers of amphilbolite gneiss, granite gneiss, and mica schist. In spring this area is especially beautiful with a covering of blooms of azalea, meadow rue, and Solomon's plume.
Rainbow Falls is located on property owned by Camp Greenville, so be respectful of the camp property and return the way you came.
Height: 100 feet
Length of hike: 2.4 miles
Difficulty: Strenuous
Creek or river: Cox Camp Creek
USGS Quadrangle: Cox Camp Creek
Directions to Rainbow Falls:
1. From Greenville, drive northwest on US 276 to the junction of US 276 and SC11.
2. Continue approximately 1.5 miles and turn right onto River Falls Road (Greenville County S-23-97), which changes to Jones Gap Road, and continue to Jones Gap State Park.
3. From the parking area, hike toward the park buildings on a short trail that crosses the Middle Saluda River.
4. The trailhead for the Jones Gap Trail is marked with a blue blaze, just beyond the park buildings and the second crossing of the Saluda River. Fill out the registration form before you start.
5. Walk on the Jones Gap Trail for approximately 0.75 mile and turn right onto the Rainbow Falls Trail. Climb another 1.6 miles to the falls.
Camping: Trailside primitive camping is allowed on certain trails. Contact Caesars Head or Jones Gap State Parks for details.
Park Information: Jones Gap State Park, 303 Jones Gap Road, Marietta, SC 29661, Telephone: 864-836-3647.
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Last Updated on Saturday, 26 September 2009 01:48 |
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Written by Alec Swayngham
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Thursday, 24 September 2009 00:30 |
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Description: For all the scenic waterfalls in South Carolina, only a few qualify for postcard status, and Raven Cliff Falls is one of them. This 400-foot waterfall always provides a great picture taking opportunity. From either the observation platform below, or from a suspension bridge above; both equally rewarding and worth the moderately difficult hike.
Height: Over 400 feet at the point of its most precipitous drop
Length of hike: 2 miles (Observation Platform) 4 miles (Suspension Bridge)
Time to hike: 1.5 hours (Observation Platform) 3 hours (Suspension Bridge)
Difficulty: Moderate
Creek or river: Matthews Creek
USGS Quadrangle: Table Rock
Directions to falls:
1. From Greenville, drive north on US 276 to Caesars Head State Park.
2. Drive past Caesars Head another 1.1 miles and turn right into the parking area for Raven Cliff Falls. Register at the registration box then cross US 176 to the trailhead.
3. Follow the Raven Cliff Falls Trail (red blaze). It runs concurrently with the Gum Gap and Foothills Trails (blue blaze) to a "T" intersection at approximately 1.4 miles.
4. At the "T" turn left to go to the observation platform below the falls..
Or:
5. At the "T" turn right and continue on the Gum Gap and Foothills Trails for 1.6 miles to the junction with the Naturaland Trust Trail.
6. Turn left onto the Naturaland Trust Trail, and the bridge is .4 miles.
Information: Mountain Bridge Wilderness Area, (Caesars Head State Park), 8155 Geer Highway, Cleveland, SC 29635. Telephone: 864-836-6115
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Last Updated on Saturday, 26 September 2009 01:44 |
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Hiking Trails / Waterfalls 
