Lower Thompson River Adventure
Oconee County, SC and Transylvania County, NC
Saturday, September 28th, 2019
Bob taking on the Thompson River Slide with Ryan shooting a video of the action!
The Thompson River is known for a series of spectacular waterfalls (White Owl Falls, High Falls, Rich Falls, Standing Stone Falls, and Big Falls to name a few). However downstream from Big Falls is a much less traveled section of river which contains it's own unique series of waterfalls and cascades.
I first explored this section of river back in 2015 and have been yearning to get back ever since!
Without a boat, the lower Thompson is difficult to access. However, Musterground Road opens up for hunting season in mid September making things much easier if you have a 4x4 or AWD vehicle with adequate ground clearance. It is also much safer to explore during times of low flow. And since we haven't had a drop of rain in about two months, water levels are as low as they have been in years!
But first lets catch a sunrise! Ryan and I met at the Duke Energy overlook near the end of Bad Creek Road to catch this magical sunrise! Definitely worth getting up early for!
Just before sunrise from Bad Creek Road
Sunrise Panorama over Lake Jocassee from Bad Creek Road
Sunrise over Lake Jocassee from Bad Creek Road
We met Bob at the Duke Energy Foothills Trail access and combined into Ryan's Jeep for the drive up Musterground Road. We parked and started our adventure where the road crosses the Thompson River (just south of the NC/SC state line).
Ryan above the Thompson River and under Musterground Road
Bob along the Thompson River
Here are some of the photos from our adventure!
Ryan and Bob along the Thompson River
Split Rock Falls
Ryan making his way down Split Rock Falls
Bob by some impressive rock walls along the Thompson River
Along the Lower Thompson River
Along the Lower Thompson River
My favorite waterslide (more on this one below!)
Along the Lower Thompson River
Along the Lower Thompson River
Along the Lower Thompson River
Along the Lower Thompson River
One of the things I was looking forward to most was sliding down the Lower Thompson Slide! I am already looking forward to doing this again!
Here is a video of one of Bob's Runs:
Me sliding down the Thompson River!
Here is a video of one of Bob's Runs:
Bob sliding down the Thompson River
And some still shots of Bob sliding down the Thompson!
Bob Sliding down the Thompson River!
Bob Sliding down the Thompson River
On the climb back up the Thompson, we saw a pretty sight at the top of Split Rock Falls! Ryan's friends Lauren and Danielle showed up.
Danielle and Lauren at the top of Split Rock Falls
Lauren and Danielle heading up the Thompson
Bob, Ryan, and Danielle heading up the Thompson
Lauren and Danielle
Lauren and Danielle
Danielle had some trouble along the Thompson, but kept on smiling!
Ryan under Musterground Road
After the rain passed, Lauren and Danielle headed off while Ryan, Bob, and I continued north a short distance up the Thompson into North Carolina to check out Seyentoga Falls!
Bob and Ryan heading up the Thompson into North Carolina
Seyentoga Falls
The rain made the rocks really slick, so we decided to turn back at this point!
On the drive back out Musterground Road we discussed how none of us had ever seen Lower Whitewater Falls from the overlook. So we decided to finish the day with a short and easy trail hike for this distant view of Lower Whitewater Falls.
Lower Whitewater Falls
Lower Whitewater Falls
My complete set of photos from this adventure is posted here:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/8146392@N05/albums/72157711239213928
https://www.flickr.com/photos/8146392@N05/albums/72157711239213928
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