Hiking in South Carolina, North Carolina, Georgia and Tennessee
Pink Trillium
Yesterday evening took another short hike and found a few more trillium blooming. It is suppose to rain later today and I knew if there were any trillium blooming the rain would damage them.
White Trillium
Pink Turtlehead Flower
I also found a Pink Turtlehead flower!
Our warm weather has brought out the black bears looking wondering and looking for food. Today is the third time I have seen this bear and he or she is always head up the mountain away from our home. I was lucky enough to get a picture today, beautiful bear!
A good friend an I went hiking Saturday on the mountain for a little more than 2 hours. The hike took us across the ridge and down across two small creeks. This was the first time for me in this area. I was surprised to fine the huge rocks with the spring.
Southeastern five-lined skink
Ferns emerging
Dwarf crested iris, native to our area
This looks like a Eastern Fence lizard but I am not sure. He looks somewhat prehistoric.
Previous post: Blooms Are Every Where
Good morning Y’all
Well, the sun is rising up over the mountain and it has the makings of a gorgeous spring day. Yesterday, we received 2.6 inches of rain in less than 12 hours. Today our high temperature is suppose to get to 64 degrees F and by the weekend, temperatures will be in the middle to upper 70’s.
“Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a harder battle.”
― Plato
Last Saturday afternoon I had a couple of hours and decided to take a hike into an area I had not hiked before and where the terrain is extremely steep. My hike took me across the mountain on the north side thru heavily covered areas of Mountain Laurel.
I have mentioned in other hiking post that I have been hunting for a cave that was used by soldiers during the revolutionary war and a revolutionary war grave site. There are historical records with articles talking about this cave and grave site. I continue make hikes across the mountain in my attempt to find both of these.
Soon I was standing at the top of a gorge that is about 1500 feet deep trying to figure out if I was going to be able to hike down, trying to find the best path down.
I could hear water running, maybe a small waterfall. After searching for a clearing so that I could look over the Mountain Laurel, I could finally get a look at the bottom of the gorge. I had not hiked down this gorge before but I was determined to get to the bottom.
Almost to the bottom, decide to snap a couple pictures.
It took me about 35 minutes to get to the bottom and it was worth my efforts.
Pair of huge white oak trees!
I checked my compass in the direct the creek was flowing to determine if I could follow the creek. It appears the creek is flowing south which should eventually take me down the mountain. I will continue to watch my compass so that I can easily make my way back to the house.
Animal bones, maybe a squirrel? Was it eaten by a fox, coyote, eagle, hawk, owl maybe?
Moss is growing all along this creek.
The water is crystal clear and cold.
There are several small waterfalls along this creek..
Can you spot the snail?
Moss and ferns growing on rocks.
This waterfall is about 20-25 feet tall.
“The purpose of life is to live it, to taste experience to the utmost, to reach out eagerly and without fear for new and richer experience.” — Eleanor Roosevelt
Older Post:
Wanting to be alone yesterday afternoon I took a long hike down the mountain. I needed time alone to think and I also wanted to take a few pictures for a post today.
I hiked toward a small pond that is feed by a small stream. As I approached the pond I could hear and see a dozen or more water frogs jumping into the water. This pond is only 10 feet deep with crystal clear water, I could see the bottom covered in leaves. This pond is feed by a small stream that runs above ground but in a few areas runs underground. I forgot to take any pictures until I started hiking back along the stream.
Here are a few pictures of the things I saw!
I am not sure of the name of this native wild flower but as I looked around they were everywhere. Do you know the name of this plant?
The first visitor today, which was Tex, see her post below, identified this flower as Bloodroot. I was also given a link by Elizabeth, http://creeksideresort.net/blog/?p=159
Odd looking bark on the south side of this huge White Oak tree.
Half of a Hickory nut, probably opened and eaten by a squirrel.
Picture taken from our deck as the snow started!
The past week we had a lot of snow and it was very beautiful. On Thursday afternoon late the temperatures to warmed above freezing and started to melt. During the night the temperatures dipped to 21 degrees and all the snow that had started to melt changed to ice.
The ice caused major problems for those that tried to drive their cars, ice and black ice was everywhere. At our home on the mountain the snow also changed to ice but instead of having 14 inches of snow, it melted down to 8 inches of ice. Ice is always a problem especially if you plan to walk or hike on ice.
Yaktrax on my hiking boots.
Many years ago a good friend and I had planned a 25 mile round trip hike along the Appalachian Trail during January near Gatlinburg, TN. We had planned to hike in, camp at an Appalachian Trail shelter and hike out the next day. Along this trail is always lot of ice and snow. To be prepared for hiking in the snow and ice I had packed in my backpack my gaiters and Yaktrax. The Yaktrax were a life saver, the trail was covered in snow and ice. If I had not had the Yaktrax there would have been no way I could have completed this hike.
The hike out to the car.
This week I had parked our car down the mountain which is about a one mile hike in case we had to get out. I am glad I did because we needed to get out on Friday. The hike to the car would have been extremely dangerous due to all the ice but I had my Yaktrax on my boots and away I went walking on the ice with no problems!
If you have snow and or ice a lot, I would recommend purchasing a pair or two of Yaktrax. They are easy to use, lightweight, and easy to carry with you or keep in your car for emergencies. They easily slide on your shoes and they will provide traction while walking on snow or ice. Great for any age! Here is a link on the Yaktrax, https://www.yaktrax.com/
Check out my beautiful cutting boards!
Recent Post – click on picture to link to page;
Good morning Y’all!
It was a bitter cold cloudy winter morning today but not as cold as yesterday. Our low yesterday was 4 degrees and today is was 13 degrees, I think we have a warming trend!
I wanted to share our beautiful sunset from yesterday!
Previous Post – Making Crème Brûlée
Early fall my daughter Lauren and I hiked the trail from Camp Greenville to Rainbow Falls. Rainbow Falls is located on the Camp Greenville property in the northern most area of upstate Greenville County, South Carolina Mountain Bridge Wilderness area. This is a really nice short hike to a beautiful waterfall.
All visitors are required to get permission from the camp office before hiking; it is recommending calling ahead to the office at 864-836-3291 for permission. The trail head is unmarked but is just past the main building of Camp Greenville, on the right you will see a small parking area for about 3-4 cars. If you continue to drive to the end of the road you will come to Pretty Place, Symmes Chapel,
From the trail head, you move quickly through rhododendron and mountain laurel then lots of rock and boulders.
The hike to Rainbow falls from Camp Greenville is a 1.8 mile out and back, the trail is strenuous and is rated difficult 7. The trail descends down the side of a steep sheer cliff into a rugged gorge so the footing is extremely steep and can be treacherous in rainy or icy conditions. The terrain is very steep, rocky with huge boulders and at two places the trail requires the use of ropes to safely maneuver the trail. It is pretty much hard core all the way down into the gorge that will take you about 45 minutes if you are in good shape.
The falls are part of the Saluda River, view down stream from the falls.
The hike ends with spectacular views of Rainbow Falls. Rainbow Falls plunges 140 feet over granite cliff surrounded by granite walls
The view shows the granite rock formations. The water is ice cold year round.
All of the rocks around the falls are cover with moss and are extremely slippery. Many people fall and get hurt, broken arms and legs when trying to get to the falls every year.
Needless to say, the hike back up the cliff takes more time and effort than the downward hike but is well worth the hike for the waterfall and views from the trail. As you ascend you can rest along the various ledges and boulders.
It is also possible to hike to these falls from Jones Gap State Park. The trail from Jones Gap is longer but not as strenuous and not as steep. The return hike is all down hill.
Take time to view my woodwork.
I decided to go for a quick hike on the mountain this morning. The air was crisp, the temperature was 21 degrees when I started. There are only a few things green on the mountain now, pine trees, white pines, hemlocks, holly trees, mountain laurel and moss! As I hiked around the Northside of the mountain where it is always moist and shaded, I found a few large patches of green moss. The moss I found today was eye-catching green unlike nearly all other plants that have already turned brown.
Many people don’t give moss much thought but what’s not to like about moss? Not sure what type of moss this is but it is different than most I find on the mountain. This variety grows in large clumps.
This moss was covering large rocks.
I found a really large area of bright green color moss.
A white pine seedling growing in a large patch of moss.
The moss covers a lot of the large rocks.
Found these large icicles, the longest is about 12 inches long. After hiking for about an hour and fifteen minutes, I decided to head back to the house for hot chocolate!
Michael's Woodcrafts 