The Adventures of Bushwhack Jack: March 2021

Saturday, March 20, 2021

2021-03-15 Reedy Cove Creek Adventure

Reedy Cove Creek Adventure

Jocassee Gorges Wildlife Management Area

Pickens County, SC

Sunday, March 15th, 2021

Beautiful Snail enjoying Reedy Cove

Andy and Christy invited me on an adventure along Reedy Cove Creek in search of waterfalls, wildflowers (specifically Oconee Bells which were rumored to be blooming in the area), and whatever else we might see.

Since they were wanting a late start, I decided to spend the morning exploring on my own. It felt delightful having Reedy Cove Falls (aka Twin Falls) all to myself during the golden hour of the morning!

Reedy Cove Falls (aka Twin Falls)

Reedy Cove Falls Selfie

Reedy Cove Falls

Once other humans started arriving, it was time to move on and meet the others.

In addition to Andy, Christy, and the dogs (Boone and Kona); Jen, Brenda, and Beth would also be joining us on our journey up Reedy Cove Creek.

Unfortunately, Andy and Christy's part of the adventure was cut short due to a sprained ankle, leaving Jen, Brenda, Beth and me to continue the adventure on our own.

We never did find any Oconee Bells. However, the most amazing snail I have ever seen more than made up for it :-)

Here are a few more photos from our Reedy Cove Creek Adventure:

The Reedy Cove Railroad

Long Slide along Reedy Cove Creek

Nice Cascade Along Reedy Cove Creek

Relic from the old Reedy Cove Railroad

Jen!

Brenda!

Beth!

Bushwhack Jack (Photo by Jen Loow)

Brenda

Note: My map calls this one Euphoria Falls.

However, I was told that Euphoria Falls might actually be further downstream.

Brenda and Jen at Triple Falls on Reedy Cove Creek

Jen, Beth, and Brenda at Triple Falls on Reedy Cove Creek

A Trio of Toadshade Trillium

Jen enjoying the cool waters of Reedy Cove Creek

Brenda and Jen

Jen taking a dip in Reedy Cove Creek

Upper Drop of Triple Falls on Reedy Cove Creek

Group Selfie

L to R: Me, Jen, Brenda, Beth

My complete set of photos is posted here:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/8146392@N05/albums/72157718688393166

Thursday, March 18, 2021

2021-03-12 Mountain Cat Falls and Roundtop Mountain

Mountain Cat Falls, Roundtop Mountain Passage,

and the Carolina Hemlock Loop

Jocassee Gorges Wildlife Management Area

Pickens County, SC

Friday, March 12th, 2021

Roundtop Mountain Selfie with Sean overlooking Rock Mountain

I am happy to say that Amy and I received our COVID-19 shots on Thursday, March 11th, 2021. We both received the Johnson & Johnson one dose Janssen vaccine.

In hindsight, I would not recommend planning a hike for the day after vaccination. However, my buddy Sean had a rare weekday off and we decided to get together for a hike.

We parked and started from US178 near Rocky Bottom, SC and hiked the gated forest service road to Mountain Cat Falls.

Mountain Cat Falls

Selfie with Sean at Mountain Cat Falls

Mountain Cat Falls

We continued to the east and turned north on the Roundtop Mountain Passage of the Palmetto Trail. While I never felt sick from my Covid shot, I definitely felt far more fatigue than normal. The 1,000 foot climb in elevation felt significantly more exhausting than when I hiked it a few months prior.

View of Rock Mountain from Roundtop Mountain

From the Palmetto Trail, we did the new Carolina Hemlock Loop Trail. Its a nice, well constructed trail, but I was hoping for some better views. There are definitely some rocky cliffs that I would like to explore, but decided that didn't seem like the safe thing to do since I was running out of energy.

View from the Carolina Hemlock Loop

(note: We had to do a bit of scrambling to get any views)

I had also planned to try and get to Rock Palace Falls, but decided to save that for another day as well.

Here is the GPS track from our hike:

GPS Track from our hike

Click here for interactive link

Afterwards, Sean took me to see a small waterfall that he found while hunting a few years ago. A pretty little drop that would probably be even more impressive with a little more water flow.

SCC Falls

Despite not feeling 100%, I enjoyed my day out on the forest with Sean. And by Saturday, I was completely over any ill effects from my COVID-19 vaccine!

My complete set of photos is posted here:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/8146392@N05/albums/72157718668806276

Saturday, March 13, 2021

2021-03-06 Monolith Falls and Mossy Cove Falls

Monolith Falls and Mossy Cove Falls
Jocassee Gorges Wildlife Management Area
Pickens County, SC
Saturday, March 6th, 2021

Monolith Falls

Jen and I decided to make a return visit to Monolith Falls and continue exploring some of the cliffs to the west of the Monolith. The Professor Scott Burns also decided to join in on the adventure!

Fun Friends in a Tree!

Jen and The Professor

The Professor at Monolith Falls

Jen at the Monolith

The Professor Scott Burns at the Monolith

Group Selfie break at The Monolith

After a nice break at the Monolith, we continued our exploration into new territory to the west. While there definitely were some impressive cliffs, there was not much in the way of additional waterfalls (at least not anything worth photographing).

Even without any spectacular finds, it is always nice to explore a section of the forest that few humans will ever see! And we did find a large cluster of Oconee Bells which were probably about a week away from blooming!

A nice cluster of Oconee Bells about a week away from bloom

Jen loving the green moss

Contrasting patterns, textures, and colors

The Professor taking a break by a burnt tree after a steep climb

After our main adventure of the day, we had time to add in Mossy Cove Falls on the drive out

Jen at Mossy Cove Falls

Mossy Cove Falls

Jen behind the rainbow at Mossy Cove Falls

The Professor at Mossy Cove Falls

Jen and a Rainbow at Mossy Cove Falls

My complete set of photos is posted here:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/8146392@N05/albums/72157718628867363

Thursday, March 4, 2021

2021-02-27 Monolith and Deception Falls

Monolith Falls and Deception Falls
Jocassee Gorges Wildlife Management Area
Pickens County, SC
Saturday, February 27th, 2021

The Monolith

A Monolith is defined as " a single great stone often in the form of an obelisk or column". Therefore when Jen suggested Monolith Falls for the name of her newest waterfall discovery there were no objections! Monolith Falls is the perfect name for this blueless waterfall.

Monolith Falls as seen from the base of the Monolith

We started our hike from Horsepasture Road in the Jocassee Gorges Wildlife Management Area along a gated forest service road. It was perfect weather for a hike (especially if you are like us and prefer fog and clouds over a bright sunny day)!

Four Went in (From the Badger Selfie Collection)

L to R: Thomas (The Badger), Jen, Me (Bushwhack Jack), and Kitty (The Rock Sprite)

Eventually we left the road and started our bushwhack through the forest. Only Jen knew what lied ahead, and I could sense her excitement as we approached the Monolith!

Jen at the Monolith

Thomas and Kitty at The Monolith

The Badger at the Monolith

I was so in awe of this massive rock tower, it took me a while before I paid any attention to the impressive waterfall which can be seen from the Monolith.

Jen and Me at Monolith Falls

(photo by Thomas Mabry)

Kitty at Monolith Falls

Monolith Falls

Jen and Kitty at Monolith Falls

The Badger at Monolith Falls

In addition to the Monolith and the waterfall there are other amazing cliffs and rocks all around! It was Rock Sprite heaven for Kitty!

Jen and the Badger photographing the Rock Sprite!

Kitty the Rock Sprite!

Cool fungus and the Monolith in the Fog

Eventually we decided to move on and countinue our off trail bushwhacking adventure to Deception Falls.

During his first attempt over a year ago to reach Deception Falls, The Badger ended up getting cliffed out while tornado warnings blared all around him. Today he would find redemption!