Adventure, or Misadventure?
It was a frustrating hike to a very out-of-the-way small trail, but it was definitely worth it for the view of Big Bend Falls.
Part of what I like about hiking is the quasi-adventurous nature of it. Sure, there is a clearly marked trail (usually) with a beginning and end. But, you never know exactly what will happen on the trail that day. Could be the weather’s unpredictability, a chance meeting with a fellow hiker that may or may not be welcome, or you might see some wildlife that you didn’t expect. Even if you take the same hike multiple times, it can be different each time.
I often like that quality. But sometimes, that uncertainty can just be frustrating. Case in point: Big Bend Falls.
I was looking for a new trail, and I saw that there was a trail to Big Bend Falls that started out near the Cherry Hill Recreation Area north of Walhalla, SC. This trail, about 3.4 miles one way, goes to the Chattooga River, intersects with the Foothills Trail, and heads over to Big Bend Falls. Sounded great; I love waterfalls, and these are supposed to be pretty spectacular.
First issue, where was the trail head? According to the trail map and my guidebooks, the trail head should be across from the parking lot for the Winding Stairs Trail. I’d been there before, so no sweat, right. I got there, parked, and looked around, seeing nothing, but I saw just ahead that there was a road that went off in the right direction across from the actual Cherry Hill Recreation Area.
Probably should have consulted my trail map, but I didn’t. Instead, I ended up traversing the Big Bend Road for a bit before realizing that this couldn’t be it, and I checked the trail map. This road goes alongside the trail, but it wasn’t the trail. I didn’t want to go traipsing across the woods to find the trail, because I normally try to stay on the trail, to avoid any more impact on the environment than necessary. Going back, I searched again, and this time, found the tiny sign that led down to the actual trail.
If this had been the extent of the confusion, I would have just put it down to another case of that strange affliction that comes over me to not look at the trail map. It’s an adventure, right? And before anyone starts in with the stereotypical “men don’t ask for directions” thing, I do ask for directions as a general rule, when I’m lost. This is more forgetfulness; I often just forget that I have the map, and it’s often on a mobile device that I have to get into my backpack to retrieve, even when I do remember it. I will fully admit to bad planning.
Regardless (or irregardless, dependent upon your vocabulary preferences), this was not my last moment of confusion on this trip. But that’s later.
The rest of the trail was lovely, and somewhat strenuous, but not as strenuous as the trail instructions might lead one to believe. After a couple of miles (2.5 miles, according to the maps), the trail did, indeed, join up with the Foothills Trail, in a very nicely signed moment near the Chattooga River. It was clear which way to go, so I went.
And not far from that well-marked intersection, there was another intersection of trails, that had no signage whatsoever. Loverly. However, I do learn, albeit slowly. So, I unslung the camera bag (fortunately I did not bring the tripod on this outing), shrugged off the backpack and pulled out my Kindle to view my map. Which did not mark this intersection. So, I checked my guidebooks. Still nothing.
Adventure it is, then. I chose to go forward, as the other trails weren’t on the map. The trail wound upwards, but always stayed along the river. I figured I must be on the right track.
I took a small detour on a small spur trail, thinking it might be the spur trail that headed to the falls themselves, but it ended up just being a small cascade. Pretty, and I stopped to rest for a bit, but not the main event.
Onward and upward. I started to hear the falls about when I expected to, and started looking for the spur trail. And I kept looking. I went down some rock stairs, kept looking. Continued on for much longer than I had anticipated, and kept looking. And then, I noted that the sound of the falls was fading into the distance.
Too far.
So, I turned around and went back, went back up the stairs, wound around, and got as far back as the small cascade where I had rested. I once again unslung the camera, dropped the backpack and rummaged for my Kindle. I re-read the guidebook and found the passage where the stairs are mentioned. I thought back to that spot, and it still didn’t match the description, but…
Ok, so I made the decision to go back once again. I was getting a bit tired of this trail, but I didn’t want to come all the way here and not see the waterfall. Re-gearing, I made may way back to the stairs. This time, I scoured the area for a spur trail. This time, I saw this vague spot where the vegetation was slightly less overgrown than the rest of the trail side. Maybe it was a trail.
As this was my best shot, I entered the forest at that point. I slid down a slope (it was a controlled slide, not an accident), crept over bracken and under some large branches, and after some wrong directions, found a way to the falls. Without the pack and camera, it might have been easier, but to call this a spur trail is being mighty generous.
Luckily, the trail came out on a large boulder that overlooked the falls. And it was a really nice view. I stayed there and took lots of pictures, drank some water, and just took in the scenery. After all that work, I was going to get my “money’s” worth.
Eventually, a group of three hikers broke through the trail themselves, to get their own view of the falls. Having had my time, I greeted them, and traded places with them, to give them room to enjoy the falls, as well. Nice group of guys, and very smart, too, as they left their packs near the trail, rather than try to drag them through the underbrush, as I was now doing.
Getting back to the car was pretty easy. This trip was more of an adventure than I expected, and extended my hike by a good mile or so, but the falls are worth seeing, if you can find that spur. Good luck!
