The Stunning Yellow Branch Trail
The Yellow Branch waterfall is a phenomenal tiered waterfall down in a secluded spot in northern South Carolina.
About 20 miles north of Walhalla, SC is the Yellow Branch Recreation Area, which contains the trailhead for the Yellow Branch Falls trail. This trail winds its way across streams may times before reaching the Yellow Branch waterfall. This trail is about 1.5 miles to the falls, and it is an easy-to-moderate hike.
To hike this trail, one must cross streams many times, sometimes by bridge, but most often by rocks placed across the water. These crossings pose little trouble, however, and occasionally provide views of wildlife, such as toads and frogs and small fish. The trail rises and falls many times before reaching the star attraction, the falls themselves.
No photographs can truly do justice to this amazing tiered waterfall, which sits nestled in a secluded spot at the end of the trail. The water cascades over what look like many boulders that were just stuck into the side of the nearby hills. The irregular pattern of rock faces allows the water to travel in random directions over many different levels. It is well worth the trip just to sit at the bottom and enjoy the roar of the water and watch the sun glint off the spray.
The trip back allowed us to see many other interesting sights, like fantastic fungi growing out of fallen trees, trees growing over a boulder with roots embracing the rock, brilliant green insects, salamanders, and blooming rhododendron. All in all a wonderful day trip.
