Tuesday, October 8, 2019

2019-09-28 Lower Thompson River Adventure

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!

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

Once back at Ryan's jeep the first rain in months hit the area which we waited out with a beer break!  

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


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