Keowee Toxaway State Park

Date: Saturday, May 30, 2009
Location / Map

Trails: Natural Bridge
Distance: 2 miles
Time: 1 hour, 30 minutes

Rating: &&& (out of 5)

We had some great weather today...sunny and temperatures in the upper 60's and 70's in the morning. Keowee Toxaway is only 30 minutes from our house. We got an early start and took the whole family; got started on the trail about 9:45.

We decided to do the Natural Bridge loop, which is about 1.5 miles long. The Raven Rock Trail is just too strenuous and too long for the kiddos at this age. But soon...! I've learned from past experience that it is better to take this loop in the clockwise direction. It is very steep going down, but going up it with backpacks would be a killer. So the trail goes downhill through thick forest, before nearing Poe Creek. There are several small waterfalls on the creek. The trail parallels the creek for awhile before coming to a rock crossing and a bench on the opposite side.

From there, we took the Raven Rock trail about a quarter mile along Poe Creek on the opposite bank. At the point where the trail started going uphill, we turned around. Back at the bench, we continued up the steps on the Natural Bridge Trail past a decent-sized waterfall. Where the steps end, there is the second turnoff for the Raven Rock Trail, and almost directly across from it is a side path (unofficial). It leads to a large exposed rock face, that slopes down to a nice waterfall and a shallow pool. This was a perfect place to stop and get the kids out of the backpacks, and we came prepared with a towel and dry clothes. The water was COLD though!

Continuing on the main trail, we soon came to the "rock bridge"...James seemed mildly interested. Not much to see past this point; the trail climbs steadily uphill most of the way back to the parking lot, with Highway 11 visible through the trees on the left. Reaching the car, we drove across the highway to the other "half" of the park and had a picnic there. Another great trip!

Devils Fork State Park

Date: Saturday, May 23, 2009
Location / Map

Trails: Bear Cove
Distance: 2 miles
Time: about 1 hour, 30 minutes

Rating: &&& (out of 5)

The family was up early on Saturday morning; we decided to go for a hike. The skies were overcast, but again the weather forecast was calling for rain only in the afternoon. We had never been to Devils Fork State Park, but it is only ~40 minutes away from our house, and I knew it had a 2 mile loop trail that seemed like it would be good for kids. With the kids in the backpacks, we started on the Bear Cove trail around 10am.

It's a very nice trail. It starts out going downhill before crossing a park road and heading uphill. Somewhere around a firebreak there was the split in the "loop" portion of the trail. There are lots of white trail markers; it would be hard to get lost. We took the loop clockwise. Here there were some small bridges to cross, a rather dense forest of blooming mountain laurel, and Lake Jocassee soon comes into view. At the end of the peninsula where the trail curves sharply around to the right, there is a wide rock landing, and a small sand beach (see photo). This was a big hit with the kids. Next time we'll come better prepared with swim suits and towels, though!

Finishing out the loop, we passed a sign explaining the history of this man-made lake, and a small bench. We got back to the parking lot around noon and had a picnic lunch. There is also a 1-mile loop nature trail on the other side of the park, but it started to rain and we didn't have time to do that one.

Oconee Station Historic Site

Date: Sunday, May 10, 2009
Location / Map

Trails: Oconee Station, Station Cove Falls
Distance: 2.5 miles
Time: 1 hour, 20 minutes

Rating: &&& (out of 5)

For the second weekend in a row we took the whole family for a hike, along with some friends. The forecast was calling for rain, but we got lucky and it turned out to be a beautiful day, with temperatures in the 70's. So we headed for Oconee Station. We parked at the Historic Site / picnic area (there is no fee any more), and got started on the Oconee Station trail. We stayed to the left going ar0und the pond, and crossed the road to start the Station Cove Falls trail. There is a small dirt parking lot here, but I think the hike winds up being too short from here. In another half mile or so, we reached the falls, and the kids were VERY excited. After a short break we went back the way we came. We stayed right around the pond, since I was afraid the far side would be too overgrown from infrequent use. But either way it is about the same distance. We had a picnic lunch at the parking area, and then walked over to see the two historic buildings. A great hike!

Table Rock State Park

Date: Sunday, May 3, 2009
Location / Map

Trails: Carrick Creek
Distance: 2 miles
Time: about 1 hour

Rating: &&& (out of 5)

The whole family went hiking on Sunday morning along with some friends. Since there were 4 adults, 3 kids and a dog, I didn't want to do a trail that was too long. The Carrick Creek Trail at Table Rock is a pretty good hike with kids, because it is a fairly short loop, with small waterfalls, stream crossings, bridges, etc. And the second half is a (mostly) gently-sloping downhill if you take the trail in a clockwise direction. It had rained, and even rained a little while we were hiking, so the path was muddy, but not too bad. The kids had a good time looking for "trail markers" on the trees, and everyone enjoyed the picnic afterward!

Mountain View Park

Date: Friday, May 1, 2009
Location / Map

Trails: Walking
Distance: 3 miles
Time: 50 minutes

Rating: & (out of 5)

Another "happy hour" hike! In Clemson there is a neighborhood park with a boat landing and a 1-mile nature trail. The only reason I can think of that this is called "Mountain View" Park is that it is at the end of Mountain View Lane. I still haven't seen the mountain, even in the winter with all the leaves off the trees. Anyway, the park is only 5 minutes from our house, and practically on my way home from work. It is a pretty nice loop trail, with views of Lake Hartwell almost the entire way. It just isn't very long, so I made 3 laps. The path is fairly flat (more than walking in our neighborhood)...I think it would be a good place to do trail running.