Walking into Spiderwebs
I have had the privilege of wearing a rather large number of spiderwebs upon my person during and after a great many hikes. This time, I had a little help in avoiding them.
In late summer, I got a new hiking book, Explorer’s Guide 50 Hikes in South Carolina: Walks, Hikes & Backpacking Trips from the Lowcountry Shores to the Midlands to the Mountains & Rivers of the Upstate, and the author spoke of a waterfall called Station Cove Falls that can be reached by way of the Oconee Station Historic Site. This area, located in upstate South Carolina, not far from my home, is one of the oldest frontier stations in the mountains. Since the trail is a relatively easy 2.3-mile round trip hike, my wife and I decided to make it a morning trip.
The historic site isn’t that hard to find, being just north of Hwy. 11, on, well, Oconee Station Road. Pretty simple, although I tried hard to miss the turn into the site visitor/parking area. Once we got there, we parked in the small lot and, with a little help from the guide, located the small sign marking the trail to the falls.
The trail started off through fairly dense woods, but soon came to a dam that crossed the small park pond. We stopped for a few minutes to take some pictures, including a butterfly that was occupied with some purple flowers that grew along the banks. Then, after some confusion, we located the blazes and went on our way.
It was at this point that it became clear that we were the first to have traveled this trail in some time. How did we know? Spiderwebs. Lots of spiderwebs. And most of them were located just under 6 feet high off of the ground, which happens to be a perfect location to smack me in the head if I don’t see them. The lack of hikers on the trail had apparently give the arachnids time to create intricate, yet practically invisible structures between the trees on either side of the trail. My wife, being somewhat more modest in height, was able to avoid them for the most part. So, to help me out with my frustration, after wiping copious amounts of spider silk from my eyes, she walked ahead waving a long stick in the air periodically to clear out the webs. This left me free to look around for potential photographic opportunities.
Fortunately, she didn’t have to do this for long. This part of the trail was pretty short, and then crosses the very road we came in on to get to the site. In fact, we could see the entrance we drove into from where we came out to the road. Across the road was another trail kiosk and small parking area. So, if you just want to hike to the falls, but avoid the historic site, you can just keep driving down Oconee Station Road, rather than turn right into the site, and the parking area will be on the left. Your choice.
Anyway, the trail continues on to the falls, with some informational kiosks that describe the ecological biome that one is traipsing through. It looks like it would be stunningly colorful in spring and early summer. We may well return then, for another look. The trail itself is pretty, and not too difficult. However, as you near the falls, there is a wooden fence that seems to be directing you to the right, blocking the way to the left. If you follow to the right, though, you’ll be traveling for some time, as this trail continues on to Oconee State Park, some miles off. Instead, you have to go around this fence, through an opening that is hard to see unless you see it from the right angle. Then, you’re on your way to the falls. Not very well marked.
But, if you navigate the obstacles, you’re treated to a gorgeous waterfall, in a secluded spot at the end of the trail. Station Cove Falls is a tiered waterfall, and it reminded me most of Yellow Branch Falls, also in the general area, because of it’s location. It’s also reminiscent of Issaqueena Falls, which I photographed as part of the Blue Ridge Railroad Historical Trail. The large rocks at the base of the falls provided a perfect place to take pictures and just relax with the white noise. We stayed there for some time, enjoying the sights and sounds.
As we returned to the car, we briefly considered returning to the parking lot by way of the road, skipping the trail around the pond, but we agreed that the walk in the woods was too pleasant to just go by road. Overall, a moderately easy trail, with a fantastic waterfall awaiting the hiker at the end.
Just watch out for the spiders.
