Oconee Station State Historic Site

Date: Saturday, May 29, 2010
Map: Link
Trails: Oconee Station, Station Cove Falls
Distance: 3 miles
Time: 1 hour 40 minutes
Rating: 3 out of 5

On Saturday afternoon of Memorial Day weekend, I headed up to Oconee Station State Historic Site. It was only a 37 minute drive from the house. To get there take Hwy 11 north from West Union and turn left at the brown park sign onto Station Cove Road. I like to park at the SHS parking area, but there is also an unpaved lot ahead that is a little closer to the falls. There is no required fee either way.

I arrived around 2:20 pm and started hiking on the Oconee Station trail. After 10-15 minutes, this trail (staying on the near side of the pond) reaches the road. Crossing over the road, I was now on the Station Cove Falls trail. You know you are getting close to the falls when you go through a hiker gate. It is hard to describe this area, but in the spring it is always so beautiful here, and peaceful. The trees are huge, and there is a stream running over rocks through the area. The falls make quite an impression as you first see them through the trees. I arrived here after about a 35 minute hike, took some pictures, and talked with some fellow hikers for awhile.

Heading back, I thought I would take the other fork on the Oconee Station trail around the far side of the pond. However, I soon found it to be too overgrown and hard to follow, so I back-tracked, and went back to the car the same way I had gone out. I probably could have done this trail in about an hour and 15 minutes if I had been more on-task. Regardless, a good hike!