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DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260228T103000
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UID:3663-1772274600-1772296200@www.scnaturalists.org
SUMMARY:Lee Falls Natural Area
DESCRIPTION:Lee Falls Natural AreaOconee County\, SCGPS Coordinates: 34.894077\, -83.082024Sumter National Forest; Andrew Pickens Ranger DistrictSaturday\, February 28\, 2026\, 10:30 AM to 4:30 PM\n\nLee Falls is often described as one of the most beautiful waterfalls in South Carolina and is considered one of the top botanical areas near Walhalla\, SC. The Lee Falls Hiking Trail is an easy-moderate 1.5-mile hike (one way) that provides scenic views of mountain pines and hardwoods. The Tamassee Creek cove offers a rich mountain ecosystem with plants like Oconee bells\, bulblet ferns\, and various mosses\, while its fauna includes white-tailed deer\, black bears\, bobcats\, numerous warblers\, and unique amphibians\, typical of the Blue Ridge foothills habitat. The area’s damp\, secluded trail supports lush undergrowth and attracts diverse wildlife\, making it a great spot for salamanders and nature viewing. Hardwood forest communities along Tamassee Creek and its tributaries include beech forest\, mesic oak-hickory forests\, hardwood bottoms and abundant rhododendrons. The hardwood bottoms and associated steep slopes are characterized by mature tulip trees\, high wildflower diversity and abundant bird life. Tamassee Creek is a small stream with primarily gravel and bedrock substrate that could contain interesting fish species such as the rosyface chub\, yellowfin shiner and turquoise darter as well as amphibians such as dusky salamanders. It is also an excellent area for odonates and therefore a good site for a dip net.\n\nThe trail to Lee Falls begins along the road into the wildlife clearing behind the gate. This is the first of four such wildlife clearings that can be pretty soggy if there have been recent rains. Adjacent to these wildlife clearings are numerous small streams with associated small valleys that could be excellent areas for aquatic insects and herps. In 0.2 miles\, reach the first of five crossings of Tamassee Creek. (If Lee Falls has good flow\, a shallow wade may be required at all stream crossing. On the day that Angela and I visited in January\, no wading was necessary until just in front of the waterfall.) Continue to walk through the second and third wildlife clearings before reaching a second Tamassee Creek crossing at 0.55 miles. One final clearing follows\, after which the trail turns into a nice\, gentle single-track path. At 1.0 miles\, the trail becomes more difficult due to the many trees that fell during the recent hurricane. Be prepared to do a lot of ducking under fallen trees. The path continues straight along a Tamassee Creek tributary and turns left across the tributary. At 1.25 miles\, the trail bears left and instantly crosses Tamassee Creek for the third time. The trail closely follows Tamassee Creek the rest of the way to Lee Falls\, crossing it twice more and becoming increasingly steep and rocky\, and covered with downed trees. The last part of the path has some minor rock scrambles and a pool crossing (approximately 1.5 feet deep). The waterfall can be seen from this spot\, but to get a clear view of the Falls\, it will be necessary to wade the pool. Finally\, climb to the base of the amazing Lee Falls at 1.5 miles.\nThe 80-foot free-fall at Lee Falls is absolutely breathtaking. At Lee Falls\, Tamassee Creek falls in sheer twin drops over a giant\, mossy cliff into a small pile of rocks. The creek then cascades steeply downstream and out of sight. A scenic cascade just below the main waterfall complements the scene nicely. Lee Falls is surrounded by lush splash and spray greenery resembling a setting out of the tropics. Even the jagged cliffs at the falls appear largely green due to liverworts and mosses! This habitat is rich in salamander species common to the Blue Ridge Escarpment. To reach the best close-up views of Lee Falls\, you may need to scramble over large boulders. Lee Falls is beautiful even when it’s just a trickle.\n\nThere are other recreation opportunities in the area for wildlife and plant viewing including the Station Cove Falls Trail and the Yellow Branch Falls Trail. Both of these trails are easy and provide excellent examples of mountain cove habitat. if you plan to extend your trip to two or more days\, you can camp or reserve cabins at Oconee State Park. You can also find accommodation at Roadway Inn & Suites in.~Ron Ahle\n\nDIRECTIONS:1) From the intersection of SC 11 (Cherokee Foothills Scenic Highway) and SC 28 at Walhalla\, drive NORTH on SC 11 for 8.3 miles and turn LEFT (west) onto Cheohee Valley Road (Oconee County S-37-375).2.) Drive 2.3 miles and turn LEFT onto Tamassee Knob Road (S-37-95).3.) Drive .5 mile and turn RIGHT (northwest) onto Jumping Branch Road.4.) Drive 1.5 miles and turn LEFT (northwest) onto FS 715A (gravel road). (Pass FS 715 on the left and continue 0.2 miles to FS 175A.).The post road marker is missing the top half and only shows the 5A portion of the FS-715A.5.) Drive 0.5 mile to parking area on the RIGHT (just before small bridge over Tamassee Creek).\n\nTrip Leader: Ron Ahle
URL:https://www.scnaturalists.org/event/lee-falls-natural-area/
CATEGORIES:Field Trip
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