In Search of a Secret
Sometimes there are trails that are so well hidden that one may just have to find other trails, instead. Just like the Secret Falls in the Cherry Hill Recreation Area.
In late fall of 2013, I opted to try the Winding Stairs Trail, a 3.5-mile one-way trail in upstate SC. The trailhead I started from is just north of Walhalla, near the Cherry Hill Recreation Area. There is a small parking area there, and it appeared that I was the first to embark on the trail from that end when I got started. I was in search of two falls, Miuka Falls, and the lesser-known Secret Falls. I found at least one of these two.
The trail starts off fairly level for a half-mile or so, and then starts a series of long switchbacks (the Winding Stairs, I presume) as it descends.The autumn colors were still out in full, and everywhere I looked, I saw examples of deep reds and wonderful golds amid the evergreens. As I had anticipated, I was alone on the trail.
I reached the point at a hairpin turn where there is a small trail that heads off down to Miuka Falls, and it was a good thing I was able to hear the waterfall, or I might have missed it. But the trail is not very far, but it is rather steep. With the leaf cover, I took great care not to slide down the trail, to get the to the creekside. Miuka Falls is a nice 75-foot waterfall, with a few tiers, but it is difficult to get a straight-on shot of the falls without going out into the creek, which I was not willing to do. So, I contented myself with some angled shots of the water, which was flowing rather strongly, due to recent rainfall.
I did try to head down the creek bank a ways to see if I could get a better angle, but it wasn’t happening, and the foliage got pretty thick. So, I slipped and slid my way back up the trail and continued on down.
Now, according to trail guides and maps, at the end of the “stair” leading down from Miuka Falls, there is supposed to be a small trail that leads off to a smaller waterfall called Secret Falls. The guide mentioned it wasn’t the easiest to get to, but I was game for it, so I headed off in search of this other waterfall. On my way down, I met up with a group heading up the opposite direction, and we talked for a while, and it was clear that this group hadn’t found the waterfall on their way up. They kept on going up, but I kept going, hoping to find the spur trail.
I kept going, and it was clear that either missed the spur trail, or it was not marked exactly true on the map, as I was heading down the next set of stairs. But I kept on, keeping my eyes open. Eventually, I met up with another hiking group heading up from the opposite direction, who had just started not long before. Clearly, I was nearing the end of the trail, never having seen the spur trail.
One of the hikers in the group had been here before, and he said that, yeah, the waterfall was back up the way I had come, but it might not be worth trying to get to, especially with a pack, tripod, and camera bag. I thanked him, but I retraced my steps, this time watching the map much more clearly, and keeping a close eye on the side of the trail.
I did see a couple of possible “trails,” but they were more just vague channels through the leaves down to the creek. I could hear rushing water, which might have been the falls. So, I went down one of these trails, but it was tricky, because the leaves were thick, and there was often concern that I might step into an unseen hole. But, I took care and kept on.
Until I reached the thick bushes that blocked my path. If I had really wanted to, I might have been able to push my way through, or crawl under them, but that didn’t seem appropriate. I tried for a way around, but there wasn’t one; or at least not one that seemed safe. So, I retreated, deciding I’d try again another time, when I was better prepared.
As I headed back up the trail, I met a friendly family coming down the way I had originally come. I stayed and talked with the father for some time, as he and his family were avid hikers and had been to many different waterfalls in the upstate area. I very much enjoyed the conversation, but I started to get concerned that the cloud cover might start to drop some rain on us, so we headed our separate ways.
I was able to make my way back dry, although my legs were definitely annoyed with me by the time I climbed back up to the trailhead. Just as I got close to the car, drizzle started up. And then, just as I was getting into my car, it started to rain more in earnest. I hoped that my erstwhile trail companions had found a nice dry spot. Good falls, good conversation; I could deal with not uncovering that last secret.
But I’ll be back.
